How many years do you need to study to teach college Spanish when you grew up in Spain?

Question

My friend who lives and grew up in spain, wants to teach spanish in an american college. would he need to study or take classes at all even though he is fluent in the language?

Answer 1

4

Answer 2

It depends on what he wants to teach, and at what level.

First of all, does he want to teach the Spanish language, or literature in Spanish? If he wants to teach literature, there is probably no special training necessary other than the kind of training that a literature professor would get. If he wants to teach the language, however, I recommend a course in language teaching, which would include training in linguistics, the structure of Spanish, and language teaching methods. Many universities offer programs such as M.A.T. degrees (Master's of Arts in Teaching) for example, but if he's teaching the language, he should definitely focus on one that has a strong linguistics focus.

Secondly, it depends on what his status at the college would be. For example, many universities give their graduate students TA positions where they teach Spanish at the same time that they are learning how to teach Spanish. Also, again, for someone who focuses on only teaching language, if he wants to get hired at a two-year school especially, a Master's degree is probably sufficient to get a good job. However, if he wants to teach literature in Spanish, he might consider going on to a Ph.D.

I can't stress enough that just being a native speaker of a language does not necessarily make a person a good teacher of that language. Language teaching involves much more than simply knowing how to speak the language.

Answer 3

He would need to get an advanced degree to teach college even though he is fluent. This means about four years of bachelor's work if he doesn't already have the equivalent and about 2-3 more years full time for a master's degree. You have to have an MA or higher to teach college.

Answer 4

Native Spanish speakers must take a placement test so the college can assess their level of fluency, grammar, etc. when they are applying to study (as a student). I know several native Spanish speakers who took the test. Some tested out of having to take classes and some didn't know proper grammar so they ended up having to take classes. Your friend should check with the college he is wanting to work at for their requirements for teaching positions. If he has taught in other places they will most likely just check his references and do an interview, just like they would anyone else. As long as he has proper credentials he shouldn't have any problems.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter how well you speak spanish, you have to get a teaching degree first. Right now that takes at least 5 years.

Answer 6

Taking a course special for teachers (where they teach you to teach) in necessary, and, as for a Spanish course, probably just by reading some text books he would be able to teach