Program Overview

Introduction to the French — Elementary, BAE Program

The French — Elementary, BAE program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with the skills needed to learn about a culture in depth. The department trains students in two areas: language structure and literary analysis. Language structure is taught both holistically and analytically, with modern methods and multimedia technology, as well as study abroad opportunities. The department supports the analytical instruction of language structure through a full range of language skills courses, as well as a significant number of courses in linguistics. Literary analysis is essential to a student’s understanding of the highest achievements in aesthetic expression of a culture’s values.

Why Consider a French-Elementary Major?

The department provides students the skills to learn firsthand about major world societies. The department believes that the best way to understand a culture directly is through its language. The languages offered in the department are spoken natively by nearly two billion people. The multifaceted programs of the department provide an opening to the world through language, literature, culture, and civilization. It is a meeting place for true diversity.

This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education.

Student Resources

• Department website: Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
• Department advising: Visit the Language Advisors webpage for more information.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers: Elementary Teacher

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

To declare the French-Elementary major, students should make an appointment with the language advisor. When meeting with the advisor, students should bring:

• An unofficial WWU transcript
• Documentation for courses taken at other colleges or universities
• Documentation for any study-abroad credits earned Then, students should submit a Student Academic Declaration and Change Form.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or better for all courses in the language major. A GPA of 2.75 is required in the major language. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Requirements (50 credits)

• FREN 201 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• FREN 202 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• FREN 203 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• FREN 301 - Grammar Review and Composition (5 credits)
• FREN 401 - Advanced Composition (5 credits)
• Electives (25 credits) from:
  • FREN 300-level
  • FREN 400-level, excluding FREN 425
  • Note: A maximum of 25 FREN elective credits may be earned through foreign study course work in language, culture, or literature.

Additional Requirements

Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements

The Elementary Education Professional Program is designed to lead to a recommendation to the state of Washington for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree with teacher certification and an endorsement in elementary education must complete the GURs, an approved academic major, and the professional education course work listed below.

Admission and Declaration Process

See the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Requirements (105 credits)

Professional Studies Core (22 credits)

• ELED 305 - Development and Learning in a Diverse Classroom (5 credits)
• ELED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity (5 credits)
• ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum (1 credit)
• ELED 460 - Children’s Literature in the Classroom (5 credits)
• IT 344 - Foundations of Technology in Teaching and Learning (1 credit)
• MLE 441 - Language, Culture, and Equity: From Global to Local (5 credits)

Elementary Program Methods and Curriculum Content (32 credits)

• One course from:
  • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
• HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8 (2 credits)
• IT 442 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators (3 credits)
• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4 credits)
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4 credits)
• MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III (4 credits)
• PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School (3 credits)
• SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School (5 credits)
• SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student (4 credits)

Preparatory Field Experiences (13 credits)

• ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators (5 credits)
• ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators (5 credits)
• SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science (3 credits)

Professional Field Experiences & Methods Courses (38 credits)

• ELED 412 - Seminar on Racial Justice Praxis (5 credits)
• ELED 427 - Elementary Social Studies Through Counternarratives (5 credits)
• ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching (4 credits)
• ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary (2-16 credits, must complete 22 credits toward the major)
• MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics (2 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement