German Teaching

German Teaching
BA
Hours64 - 80 Credit Hours
MAPMajor Academic Plan

Program Requirements

The Germanic and Slavic Languages Department requires a minimum of 18 hours of upper-division major credit to be taken in residence at BYU for this degree program. These hours may also go toward BYU's 30-hour residency requirement for graduation.
For students accepted into the major after August 1, 2014, grades below C in any required coursework in a teaching major or teaching minor will not be accepted. Teacher candidates must maintain a total GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program and to qualify for student teaching. For details on admission and retention requirements for teaching majors and teaching minors, see Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.
All students will purchase a portfolio packet when they enroll in their first class in the German section. This portfolio will travel with the students as they progress from course to course through the degree program. It will serve as a checklist to guide them through their course of study, will record their language proficiency, and will also be a repository for all papers and creative work produced by the student in the department. The completed portfolio will be reviewed in Germ 400R in conjuction with the senior proficiency exam.
Germ 200R and 300R are designed to help students who desire additional skill in speaking, etc.
A teaching minor in another subject is strongly recommended. Teaching opportunities in public schools may be significantly reduced without a second teaching subject that a teaching minor provides.
Declare the major at the Humanities Advisement Center and contact the German teaching major advisor to complete a German proficiency examination. A minimum initial rating of "Intermediate-Mid" is recommended.
Beginning German courses (101, 102, 201, 202) will be waived for students having comparable German training or experience including Germ 330. Consult department for information about placement examinations.
requirement 1 Complete 3.0 hours from the following course(s)
Note: Germ 211R may be waived with equivalent experience. See department.
requirement 2 Complete 1 option
Note: Germ 377 must be taken concurrently with Germ 378 fall semester only and prior to student teaching; however, Germ 377 and 378 may be waived for students who have taken a methods course for another language.
requirement 3 Complete 1 course
requirement 5 Complete 1 option
Complete 10 additional hours of pro-seminars and/or courses numbered 215 or higher.
option 5.1 Complete 10.0 hours from the following course(s)
Complete a senior capstone paper. (The teacher work sample serves completed during student teaching serves as the capstone paper.)
Complete an ACTFL OPI exam with a minimum rating of Advanced-Low before applying to student teach. Contact the Center for Language Studies, 3086 JFSB, to schedule. This requirement may also be satisfied during Germ 400R.
requirement 6 Complete 1 option
Final German proficiency examination:
Complete the following during the last two semesters before graduation (not offered spring or summer). Classes must be taken concurrently:
Complete an ETS Praxis exam in German prior to applying for graduation and certification. Contact Education Student Services, 120 MCKB.
requirement 7 Complete 2 options
Professional Education Component:
Licensure requirements: Contact the Education Advisement Center, 350 MCKB, 422-3426, to schedule the final interview to clear your application for the secondary teaching license. You should be registered for your last semester at BYU prior to the scheduled appointment.
All candidates for teacher licensure are required to be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background check prior to their pre-clinical methods course. Fingerprint clinics with an on-site reader are held in the McKay Building each semester. Allow 10-12 weeks for processing. Fingerprint clearance is valid for three years only. If clearance expires prior to student teaching, candidates must repeat the fingerprint clearance and fee process. Failing to expunge or clear up a police record of any kind prior to the background check may result in a blocked registration while a review board investigates the charges. Candidates who cannot pass an FBI background check will be removed from the teacher education licensure program.
option 7.2 Complete 12.0 hours from the following course(s)
Student teachers/interns must complete three forms in their LiveText accounts (PIBS, CDS, FED) and attach their TWS to the LiveText account for their program. All four must be completed to be cleared for graduation.
Program Outcomes

1. German Language Proficiency

At the end of each of these courses, students will demonstrate minimum German language proficiency according to the 2012 ACTFL Oral Proficiency Guidelines as follows:

101: Novice High; 102 Intermediate Low

201: Intermediate Low/ Intermediate Mid; 202: Intermediate Mid/High

301: Intermediate High; 302 Intermediate High/Advanced Low; 303: Advanced Low (Some higher)

330: Students will demonstrate ability to complete written assignments in German

2. Written Assignments and Research Papers

In written assignments, students will analyze and engage with concepts or German-language artifacts in a coherent, thoughtful manner appropriate to their course level. In research papers and capstone papers, students will demonstrate their abilities to

1) find problems and questions in the artifacts that they are discussing

2) compose thesis statements that make defensible claims that address the problems and questions in the artifact;

3) Compose a well-ordered argument that logically develops the ideas in the thesis statement;

4) Introduce specific supporting evidence through well-integrated quotes in carefully-crafted paragraphs.

3. Entering the Critical Discourse

When confronted with new concepts and/or artifacts, students will demonstrate a level-appropriate capacity to do the following:

1) test and question the soundness of ideas;

2) apply theoretical concepts in their analysis;

3) recognize ethical problems and global implications;

4) explore the multivalent nature of the object of their analysis;

5) engage in ongoing critical discussions and negotiate between a plurality of viewpoints.

4. Cultural Literacy

Students will be able to engage with and cogently discuss a variety of culturally significant German-language literary, historical, artistic, filmic and musical texts and artifacts from all major periods. They will be able to analyze and discuss these works in their various social, cultural, historical and religious/ethical contexts.

5. Second Language Acquisition and Learning Theories

Apply second language acquisition and general learning theories to create effective language learning environments and programs.

6. Planning and Delivering Instruction

Plan and deliver instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, goals, and national and state standards.

7. Assessment

Use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and improve learner performance and improve language instruction.

8. Professionalism and Self-Reflection

Maintain professional standards by self-reflection and improvement, professional development, and development of productive relationships with colleagues, the profession, and the community.