Certificate Degree - Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language

Program Overview

FUNIBER's "Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language" program equips learners with pedagogical skills to effectively teach Spanish in diverse settings. The program offers multiple course options, including a Master's degree, Specialization, and University Extension, focusing on the practical application of language teaching methodologies and the development of professional skills. Through a collaborative and virtual learning platform, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of teaching Spanish while fostering critical thinking and self-directed learning. The program prepares individuals for fulfilling careers as Spanish language educators in primary, secondary, and adult education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The program, "Certificate Degree - Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language," offered by FUNIBER, is designed to address the growing global demand for Spanish teachers. It acknowledges Spanish's status as the second language of international communication and the fourth most spoken language worldwide, highlighting the increasing number of Spanish learners in various regions, including the US, Canada, and the European Union. The program aims to train high-quality professionals in this field. It's offered online and collaboratively by a group of Spanish and Latin American universities, prioritizing learner autonomy while maintaining flexible interaction. The program offers three different types of courses: a Master's degree (81 credits), a Specialization (40 credits), and a University Extension (18, 12, or 12 credits depending on the chosen option). The program's practical focus encourages pedagogical and critical thinking, stimulating adaptation of new approaches and strategies to specific contexts, and evaluation of new classroom teaching practices. It also provides students with a foundation for self-study and professional development. The overall objective is to provide comprehensive, updated training and develop the academic and professional skills needed to teach Spanish as a foreign language in diverse contexts. Specific objectives include providing a comprehensive understanding of the work of a Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) professor, acquainting professors with relevant methodological proposals, emphasizing individual professional development and innovation, and advising students on independent research to advance professionally. The program encourages interpreting the relationship between theory and practice, adapting new ideas to classroom situations, experimenting with teaching practices, applying analytical skills, critically evaluating literature, evaluating teaching strategies, and applying acquired knowledge for continuous improvement.

Outline:

The program structure uses a credit system. The Master's degree comprises 81 credits, the Specialization 40 credits, and the University Extension options range from 12 to 18 credits. The Master's and Expert programs are divided into four modules: Introduction, Acquisition and Learning, Social Aspects of Learning, Spanish as a Foreign Language, and Methodology. The Specialization courses each correspond to one of these modules: Foundations of teaching and learning languages, Applications in teaching and learning languages, and Spanish Culture and Language. The curriculum includes high-quality teaching resources and study materials prepared by specialists from FUNIBER and participating universities. Materials are continually revised and updated. Each subject's study materials include an introduction to general course objectives, subject content (theory and pedagogical implications), self-assessment assignments, reference suggestions, complete bibliography, and access to compulsory reference material through an online profile. The materials are written in simple language and include case studies and practical classroom work.

• Module: Introduction:
• Classroom Management Techniques and Practice Reflection (3 credits): Covers classroom management, correction techniques, teamwork, first language usage, theories on group learning, and classroom discipline, emphasizing reflection on actions.
• Observation and Research in the classroom (3 credits): Explores traditional and current research approaches in the classroom, focusing on observation as a selective and cultural construct.
• Module: Acquisition and learning:
• Second Language Acquisition (3 credits): Examines main models of second language acquisition and their classroom implications, considering first language acquisition and contextual influences.
• Individual Factors in Learning (3 credits): Investigates cognitive, affective, physical, and psychological factors influencing individual learning, examining concepts like intelligence, ability, motivation, and personality.
• Learning Strategies (3 credits): Analyzes research on learning strategies and methods to encourage their development in students.
• Communication and Pragmalinguistic Proficiency (3 credits): Covers communication as an animal and human phenomenon, communicative functions, components of communication, and basic concepts in pragmatic and sociolinguistic adequacy.
• Language, Culture and Bilingualism (3 credits): Explores the relationship between language and culture, interculturality, intercultural communication, contrastive analysis, and bilingualism in education.
• Module: Spanish as a Foreign Language:
• Spanish Grammar for ELE Teachers (3 credits): Covers the role of grammar in the classroom and basic grammar topics.
• Spanish Language and its varieties (3 credits): Examines the current situation of the Spanish language, its varieties, and the "ideal Spanish" as a teaching model.
• Vocabulary Teaching (3 credits): Focuses on lexicology, vocabulary selection, teaching methods, and using various resources for vocabulary acquisition.
• Module: Methodology:
• Methodological Bases (3 credits): Examines main methodological approaches to language teaching and their historical evolution, including modern approaches.
• Developing language skills in the classroom (3 credits): Analyzes different approaches to developing listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
• Assessment, Adaptation and Creation of Materials and Sources (3 credits): Covers assessment of learning materials, principles of material assessment, and the creation and testing of materials.
• Educational technology in language learning (3 credits): Explores the use of computers and technology in language learning.
• Projects and Tasks (3 credits): Examines learning based on projects and tasks, including task structure, didactic unit structuring, and assessment criteria.
• Evaluation of the Language Learning Process (3 credits): Covers assessment foundations, assessment tools, data collection and analysis, and conclusions and proposals.
• Programming and Curriculum Development - Theory and Practice (3 credits): Focuses on curriculum design at different levels and assessment.
• Practicum (7 credits): Involves a paper on a theoretical aspect from a practical perspective, potentially an action-research project in the student's professional context.
• Master’s Degree Report (20 credits): A theoretical, practical, or combined work, potentially expanding on the Practicum.

Assessment:

Assessment aims to optimize academic achievement and teacher performance. Methods include examinations, papers, and parallel activities during tutorials for each subject. The practicum involves a paper, and the Master's degree requires a final report. Feedback on student work is considered essential, aiming to improve future work and enhance professional development. All assessment is geared towards training and reflection to improve professional development.

Teaching:

The program uses a collaborative training model based on dynamic and constructivist learning concepts. It stimulates critical insight into teaching practice and employs a research-action work method. Interactive and multicultural groups are encouraged. The program features flexibility and personal autonomy, continued mentorship, and frequent interaction with peers and tutors. Printed materials and access to mandatory reference materials are also provided.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers as professors of Spanish as a second language (SL) in primary and secondary education (both public and private institutions), adult education, and for associate and bachelor degree graduates seeking to work as SFL professors.

Other:

FUNIBER has created a Virtual Campus accessible via the internet, providing access to course content, reference materials, and academic work submission. The Virtual Campus also facilitates communication and socialization among students and professors through discussion forums, chats, and tutorials. Students without regular internet access can request permission to use alternative resources. FUNIBER periodically offers FUNIBER Training Scholarships. The program emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development and encourages students to engage in a process of professional development directly related to their current or future work.