Spanish Teacher (7-12), B.A.

School of Education

Program Overview

In this program, you will learn to stir up enthusiasm for modern languages in children in grades seven through 12. You’ll learn how best to transmit your knowledge of the Spanish language to students, helping them to navigate the nuances of a language that’s rich in history and culture. Your teaching could ignite their ambitions, open new doors for them, and help young learners develop an appreciation for a new culture. You will explore pedagogical techniques specific to learning modern languages that will help English speakers overcome the challenges of acquiring the skills to speak a language fluently.

Spanish Teacher (7–12), B.A.

Where You'll Go

After graduation, you will be ready to step confidently into a classroom. After completing this bachelor’s degree program, you will be qualified for employment in the schools of New York City and to receive New York State initial teacher certification.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Description

The Department of Secondary Education and the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures jointly offer a program for students who plan to teach Spanish in grades 7 through 12. Adolescent education (grades 7–12) programs are writing intensive. Additional information may be obtained from the Department of Secondary Education or the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Students should consult a counselor as early as possible to plan their program.

Major Requirements (58 Credits)

Thirty credits in the content area are required for New York state certification to teach a language other than English at the secondary level, 24 of which must be taken in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures as follows:

All of the following: Spanish 2030W and 3610.

Two of the following culture courses: Spanish 3515, 3525, 3510, or 3520.

Twelve credits to be selected from Spanish 2021, 2024, 2432, 2120, 3515, 3525, 3510, 3520. Tier II, Tier III, and/or Tier IV.

The remaining six credits may be selected from the following options:

  1. Up to two additional courses in the major language and/or from Modern Languages 2310 or higher.
  2. Two courses in a second language, Language 2021 or above.
  3. Up to two courses in related areas, subject to department approval.

An average of B or higher in the major is required for student teaching.

In addition, students must complete the following pedagogical courses in the Department of Secondary Education (28 credits): Secondary Education 2001, 2002, 3401, 3402, 4401, 4411, 3456, 4482.

This four-term sequence may be started in the lower-sophomore term or upper-sophomore term.

Secondary Education 2001, 2002, 3401, 3402,

Secondary Education 3456 may be started after completing Secondary Education 2001 and 2002.

Student teaching: Secondary Education 4401, 4411, and 4482.

Students qualifying for the initial certification in adolescence education may obtain an extension to teach English, social studies, mathematics, a modern language, or one of the sciences in grades five and six by taking Secondary Education 3454.

This program reflects changes in teacher certification requirements recently implemented by the New York State Education Department. Students completing majors in secondary education or in special subjects under the former requirements should refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Admission Requirements and Academic Standing

Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Secondary Education 2001 and 2002.

Students must have a B- in both Secondary Education 2001 and 2002, New York City Department of Education Fingerprint clearance and a GPA of 2.75 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to continue to Secondary Education 3401, and/or Secondary Education 3402, and/or Secondary Education 3456.

To take Secondary Education 4401, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher, a B- or better in both Secondary Education 3401 and 3402, and/or permission of the head of the program.

Students must earn a B- or higher in Secondary Education 4401, and a GPA of 2.75 or higher in their major.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Be prepared to pass NYSED teacher certification examinations in content area, pedagogy, and knowledge of students.
  • Apply the ACTFL, CEC, NCSS, NCTE, NCTM, NSTA, and SHAPE Standards and the Next Generation Learning Standards to planning, instruction, and assessment for all students, including those of low SES, linguistic/cultural minorities, and those with IEPs.
  • Design lessons and units of study that engage all students, including ELLs and students with IEPs, in doing, thinking, reasoning, speaking, and writing in the content areas.
  • Incorporate community resources in culturally relevant units of study.
  • Create classrooms that support social and emotional learning.
  • Make plans for and use technological tools (e.g., communication and collaboration tools, adaptive devices, Web-based digital media) in instruction.
  • Analyze instructional materials and assessments in order to identify linguistic and extra-linguistic demands and challenges of performance tasks in the content areas.
  • Analyze and interpret whole-class interaction focusing on guiding techniques conducive to orchestrating meaningful, inclusive, and content-rich conversations.
  • Analyze and interpret samples of student work and classroom data to identify different levels of student learning as well as typical errors and misconceptions.
  • Conduct and use research in their own practices to improve learning and teaching.

Contact

Alejandro Alonso

4231 Boylan Hall
E: alonso@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5451

Bernd Renner

4157 Boylan Hall
E: brenner@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3679

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Internships and Employers

As a student in the School of Education, you will complete internships in public and/or private schools throughout the New York City region. The internship is a 14-week, full-time, supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a childhood education teacher.

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.