French Language Teaching, MA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Master of Arts in French Language Teaching offers the opportunity for middle school, high school, and community college French teachers to complete a master’s degree over the course of three summers. The program is offered through the SOU Summer Language Institute for French teachers at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France.

Each summer, teachers can earn up to 18 credits over two three-week sessions. Completion of the Master’s degree program requires a total of 48 credits. Up to 6 graduate credits may be transferred from other institutions.

Requirements for Master of Arts in French Language Teaching

Complete 48 credits in graduate-level Summer Language Institute courses. Up to 6 credits of coursework may be accepted from other institutions. (Courses eligible for transfer credit must have been taken within the last three years at the graduate level. Advisor approval of course syllabus required.)

Core Courses (20 credits total):

FL 501 - Data Analysis 1 credit
FL 511 - Second Language Acquisition Theory and Practice 3 credits
FL 512 - Teaching for Proficiency: Methods and Strategies 3 credits
FL 513 - Second Language Assessment: Principles and Strategies 3 credits
FL 514 - Action Research 3 credits
FL 515 - Technology in the Classroom 3 credits
FR 503 - Thesis 1 to 9 credits (3 credits minimum required)
FR 504 - Action Research Presentation 1 credit
Note: Students take the FL 514 Action Research class during the second summer. While working on their Action Research Project during the following year, they must enroll for 1 credit per term of FR 503 Thesis. During the final summer, they must register for 1 credit of FR 504 Action Research Presentation in order to present their Action Research project. Students who do not finish the Action Research Project must register for 1 credit of FR 503 Thesis each term they continue working on the project until it is completed. If the Action Research project has not been completed after three years, FL 514 must be retaken.

Language and Culture Content Courses (15-18 credits total):

FR 526 - Topics in French Literature 3 to 4 credits
FR 527 - Topics in Francophone Literature 3 to 4 credits
FR 528 - Topics in French Culture 3 to 4 credits
FR 532 - Communicative Grammar 3 credits
FR 550 - Topics in French or Francophone Film 3 credits
FR 581 - Topics in Theoretical and Applied French Linguistics 3 credits
FR 582 - Topics in Writing and Translation 3 credits

Pedagogy Companion Course (10 credits minimum):

(2 credits each, repeatable)

FR 516 - Topics in French Language Pedagogy 2 credits

One-Credit Electives

(No more than three credits from this section may count toward fulfillment of the 48 required credits for graduation. Students who are accepted into the program with Intermediate High (IH) oral proficiency will be required to take more, raising their total credits beyond the 48 credits minimum, as they are required to take these classes each session until they test at the Advanced Low proficiency level.)

FR 510 - Advanced French Conversation 1 credit (May be taken for credit up to 3 times)
FR 511 - Advanced French Grammar 1 credit (May be taken for credit up to 3 times)

Total Credits: 48

Admission

Master’s candidates must be currently teaching French at the middle school, high school, or community college level and must have taught for at least one year prior to applying. They must submit a resumé, two letters of recommendation that address their teaching and language experience, a statement of their educational philosophy, and a copy of an ACTFL certified oral proficiency interview rating of Advanced Low or higher. Students at the Intermediate High level may be admitted on a conditional basis. Application materials are available at sou.edu/summerlanguageinstitute/apply.

Classes

Summer Language Institute courses are available as space allows to non-master’s seeking students who may want additional coursework to improve their teaching skills, language proficiency, or cultural understanding or who may need additional graduate-level coursework to maintain or renew their certification. Students completing their Master’s degree must also take FR 503 Thesis for 1 credit each term while working on their Action Research project (minimum of 3 credits) and FR 504 Action Research Presentation to present their project.