Teaching of Languages (Spanish) MATL

Overview

The Master of Arts in the Teaching of Languages (MATL) is a unique program of professional preparation specifically designed to meet the needs of teachers from elementary and secondary education through the junior and community college levels. Designed to integrate theory and practice, the MATL program focuses on the enhancement of language teaching skills and knowledge about language and language learning.

The MATL program meets the requirements for AA licensure for those holding a current Mississippi teaching license in French or Spanish (the MATL is not designed for initial teacher certification or licensure). Applicants from other states should check with their respective state departments of education for specific requirements concerning certification or licensure. The school also offers a program of study for the English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement to a current Mississippi teaching license in any area. Please contact the MATL coordinator for details.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the Admission Requirements and Procedures , the master’s program applicant must present the following items:

1. One of the following: a) Official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), b) five or more years of relevant and progressive work experience, c) evidence of official PRAXIS scores at the level accepted by the state in which they teach, d) National Board Certification, or e) a previously completed master’s degree.
2. A current resumé.
3. A statement of purpose written in Spanish (300-500 words) that explains the applicant’s professional goals and reasons for pursuing graduate study in language teaching. The statement can include particular interests, academic accomplishments, travel abroad, teaching experience, or other relevant preparation.
4. Non-native speaker applicants to the Spanish emphasis should have an undergraduate degree in the language or present evidence of equivalent language experience (30 hours in the language). Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in the language will be required to either complete more coursework before being allowed to take language emphasis courses or take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and score in the Advanced range. A copy of the test score must be sent to the MATL coordinator. In cases where an applicant does not have an adequate background in the emphasis language, conditional admission may be granted with undergraduate language requirements and/or the ACTFL OPI set for full admission; such graduate students can begin MATL core courses while completing the prerequisites. This information pertains to heritage language speakers, but not to international students whose native language is Spanish.
5. For international students whose native language is not English, official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required. Successful applicants should have a score of 83 on the Internet-based test, with no section lower than 19. Information on the TOEFL is available at http://www.toefl.org. The school will also accept an IELTS score of a 6.5 with no sub-test score below a 6.
6. Three Letters of Recommendation

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

The comprehensive examination consists of a successful defense of a portfolio.

For other requirements and expectations, see General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information .

Course Requirements (33 hours)

• WL 561 - Teaching Second Languages: Theory into Practice 3 hrs.
• WL 663 - Applied Linguistics in Second and Foreign Languages 3 hrs.
• WL 664 - Second Language Acquisition Theory and Practice 3 hrs.
• WL 665 - Sociocultural and Sociolinguistic Perspectives in Language 3 hrs.
• WL 694 - Practicum in Second or Foreign Language 3 hrs.
• 5 SPA courses (15 hrs.)
• Elective 3 hrs.