About
Majoring in Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BS) - Spanish, Education (K-12) leads to a licensure that allows you to teach Spanish at any level in both public and private schools, from kindergarten to high school. As a Spanish teacher, you will have the opportunity to open students’ minds to other languages, cultures and ways of seeing the world.
Research has shown that learning a second language provides students with a wide range of social and cognitive benefits, and in an increasingly globalized world the intercultural understanding and communication skills that language teachers impart are vital and valued by employers. For this reason, Spanish teachers are in great demand in both public and private schools across the country.
In addition to Spanish courses in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, you will complete professional teaching courses through Appalachian State University’s prestigious Reich College of Education. Various field experiences plus a semester-long student teaching experience will prepare you well for the K-12 classroom.
After Graduation
Employment: Graduates are teaching across North Carolina, including Alamance, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Wake, Watauga and Wilkes counties, as well as in other U.S. states and overseas.
Graduate School: Alumni of the program often stay at Appalachian for the Accelerated Master’s Program in Romance Languages. Alumni have also gone on to receive MA and PhD degrees in Spanish and Language Education from other institutions.
Professional Licensure
This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.
If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.
People
Related Program
Minors
A minor is not required for the Spanish K-12 degree. However, many language education majors choose to add a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), as jobs in ESL are also in high demand.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
- Sigma Delta Phi, Epsilon Omicron Chapter - Appalachian’s chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. For information contact Dr. Catherine Fountain.
- El Círculo Hispánico - A social and cultural club for students interested in Spanish and Spanish-speaking cultures. For information contact Dr. Catherine Fountain.
View all Language and Culture clubs
Global Learning
Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
In the last two years, LLC faculty members have led service-learning trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Ghana. There also are opportunities for students to complete part of their student teaching abroad. Read more
Admission Requirements
Prerequisite placement tests are used to assess incoming student levels of language ability, to better advise them which courses to take and to assist in class level placement.
Why Appalachian?
- Recipients of this degree are highly successful in finding teaching jobs and often receive multiple job offers.
- The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a variety of courses related to the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures, with small class sizes and individualized attention and mentoring.
- Students have several study abroad options to choose from, both in Spain and Latin America, and an opportunity to complete part of their student teaching abroad.
- Appalachian offers a Master’s Degree in Romance Languages with specializations in Spanish Teaching at both the K-12 and community college levels. High-achieving students have the option to participate in an accelerated MA program by taking graduate-level courses during their senior year and then completing the rest of their master’s coursework in a single year.
- Faculty members include students in their research and frequently present in regional conferences. Topics include contemporary Spanish and Latin American literature, the acquisition and teaching of pronunciation, Mexican literature and popular culture, Afro-Hispanic studies, indigenous languages and cultures of the Americas, U.S. Hispanic literature, Andean studies, and language diversity and variation in the Spanish-speaking world.
- Faculty regularly host immersion weekends where students prepare meals together and engage in other activities, all without the use of English.
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Location
Boone and Hickory*
*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.
Contacts
Dr. Paul Worley
Department Chair
worleypm@appstate.edu
828-262-6709