Teacher preparation guidelines

Modern Language Teacher Preparation

If you are interested in teaching French, German, Spanish or English as a Second Language in elementary, middle or high school, please contact  Dr. Susan Hildebrandt (Grainger 320, tel. 2182), for information and advising.

Here is a timetable for you to follow:

Freshman year:

1. Take EDUC 245 and 260 during the Fall and Spring semesters.  
2. Take the Praxis I tests (if SAT scores don't meet guidelines); have scores submitted to the Office of Professional Services ( Hull Building).   (See Praxis and SAT score info on back of this sheet.)
3. Take EDUC 265 Practicum during Summer Session I (May)—in an elementary school setting—and receive a grade of C or better.*  

Sophomore year:  

1. Complete an application and supporting materials, including Praxis I scores, for entry into the Teacher Preparation Program. Applications for admission into the Teacher Preparation Program are available from the Office of Professional Services ( Hull Building).   Until you are admitted into the Teacher Preparation Program, you may not take any 300-level Education courses, so you must do this as soon as possible.
2. Contact Dr. Hildebrandt in Modern Languages to discuss requirements and options for student teaching.   Make sure your name gets on the student teaching planning list during your sophomore year for the location and semester you plan to student teach.**
3. Take EDUC 380 and 430.   See "Important" note below.
4. Take EDUC 370 Practicum during Summer Session I (May)—in a middle school setting—and receive a grade of C or better.*   (Spanish students:   consider the Practicum in Spain option—details from Dr. Hildebrandt)

Important:   Remember that even though EDUC 430 (Reading in the Content Areas) is linked for registration purposes to EDUC 455, you do not need to take 455 and may register for only 430 but will need assistance from your advisor to do so, since the computer automatically registers students for both courses at the same time.

Junior year:  

• Take EDUC 484, 489.   Take PSYC 453.    2.   Take VCLA test for licensure. (See info on back of sheet)

3.     Study abroad for at least one semester.

Senior year:  

• Fall semester
• Take French/German/Spanish/English as a Second Language 400 (Teaching Modern Languages).
• Take EDUC 487.   If you have not already, take PSYC 453.
• Take Praxis II test in the language you are teaching.
• Take the Oral Proficiency Interview, part of your senior seminar class.
• Spring semester, student teach (SPAN/FREN/GERM/TESL 482)—within 1 ½ hours of Longwood.   Take Praxis II test in the language you are teaching, if you have not yet.

Every year:   Maintain an overall grade point average of 2.50 or higher.

*Practica :   a. In order to register for the EDUC 265 and 370 Practicum courses you must attend the orientation and registration meeting held each Fall semester in the Education Department.   For specific information, contact the Office of Professional Services ( Hull Building).   You will not be allowed to register for these courses unless you attend the meeting.

            b.   Your first Practicum (EDUC 265) must be in an elementary school placement.   Your second Practicum (EDUC 370) must be in a middle or elementary school.   Your student teaching will be in a high school. It is your responsibility to make sure you are placed in these areas.   Your Practicum placements may in your home county if the Office of Professional Services permits.

**Student teaching locationsfor French, German, Spanish, and ESL ,  unlike your Practicum placements, must be within a radius of 1 and 1/2 hours from Longwood University.   Plan ahead if this means you must live here on campus instead of at home for the student teaching semester.