Academic Catalog 2023-2024

[Language], Graduate Certificate

[Language] will be changed to indicate the specific language in which the certificate is received (i.e. Spanish)

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate Program in [Language] prepares language teachers to teach their language through dual credit programs with 2-year and 4-year partner institutions. The certificate consists of a minimum 18 credits with an option to complete an additional 4 credits of electives. All courses in this program are graduate level language courses focused on improving language and pedagogical skills, and therefore, are taught in the target language. Although the development of certificate students’ knowledge of the target language and culture(s) is a priority, every course contains pedagogical implications and connections to the classroom in order that the certificate student may apply the content they are learning in the course to their own classroom and teaching.

Most of the course offerings are available online during the summer, fall, and spring terms. One course option for students makes use of the Concordia Language Villages located in Bemidji, MN.

Goals and Objectives

Goals

  1. The program will prepare teachers to meet the requirements for teaching dual credit courses at the high school level.
  2. The program will develop language teachers’ knowledge in content routinely integrated into dual credit high school courses.
  3. The program will advance students’ language proficiency.

Upon completion of this certificate program, graduates will be able to:

Objectives

  1. Demonstrate increased knowledge and understanding of the language and cultures they teach/speak.
  2. Apply the language and their knowledge of target culture(s) to teaching more complex and advanced content to students in dual credit language classes.
  3. Describe how they will connect the content of the certificate courses to the dual credit courses they teach in order to meet the unique needs and demands of high school dual credit course takers.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate certificate program in language consists of applying for graduate study at Concordia College. The application process and the link to GradCAS, a centralized U.S. application system, are available on the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies website. All required documents must be submitted through GradCAS.

Admission to a graduate certificate program requires submission of the following materials:

  1. Applicants must compete an enrollment form.
  2. Applicants must possess an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Graduate Programs Committee, in consultation with the Admissions Committee of individual programs.
  3. Applicants shall demonstrate that they possess sufficient academic and/or professional background and experience.
  4. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum proficiency level of intermediate-high through a current teaching license obtained in a state with a minimum proficiency level of intermediate-high, an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), an AAPPL exam through ACTFL, or another approved proficiency exam.

Admission Deadline

Students are able to join the certificate program in fall term, spring term, or summer term.

Tuition and Fees

For information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies website

Contact Information

Cassandra L. Glynn, Ph.D.
Director, Master of Education in World Language Instruction
Director, Graduate Certificate in Language
Associate Professor of Education
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3857 / email: cglynn@cord.edu

Darrell W. Stolle, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Education / Professor of Education
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3629 / email: dstolle@cord.edu

Gay Rawson, Ph.D.
Chair, World Languages and Cultures / Professor of French
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3154 / email: rawson@cord.edu

Rebecca Amundsen
Executive Director, Graduate & Continuing Studies
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3567 / email: continue@cord.edu

Sonja P. Wentling, Ph.D.
Dean of Arts and Sciences / Professor of History
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3001 / email: vpaa@cord.edu

Susan J. Larson, Ph.D.
Provost and Dean of the College / Professor of Psychology
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3001 / email: vpaa@cord.edu

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 16 credits to complete the certificate program, but may choose to complete an additional six credits.

All course requirements must be completed with at least a grade of C. An overall GPA in the graduate program must be a 2.5.

Course Descriptions

The following courses are offered in different languages. This is noted by [Target Language] in the course titles and descriptions.

WLC is a prefix used for language courses in the Department of World Languages and Cultures that are offered in multiple languages. The elective courses are cross-listed as AMLA/WLC to denote that although they are elective courses through the Master of Education in World Language Instruction, they are language courses taught in the target language.

AMLA 550  -  Literacy Strategies for Language Learners,  1-4 credits.  

This course focuses on literacy strategies for language learners in various contexts (EL students, EFL settings, immersion programs, etc.). These graduate credits are paired with attendance at the STAR literacy conference and allow attendees to use their time at the literacy conference to make connections to their own classroom. Participants in this online course will engage in selected readings related to the conference, reflect on the readings and their experiences at the literacy conference, and create literacy materials for their own classroom that demonstrate how they will meet the needs of the different learners in their teaching context.

Frequency: Summer Session  
AMLA 600  -  Second Language and Immersion Methodologies,  4 credits.  

Students will examine past and present methods of teaching a second language, drawing on their own experiences to enhance the discussions and understandings. Models and principles for immersion instruction will be contrasted with second language instructional principles. Observation and analysis of a variety of methodologies in action at the Language Villages will help students define their personal instructional philosophy and methodology.

AMLA 602 / EDUC 602  -  Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research,  4 credits.  

Students will be introduced to the vocabulary, theory, primary principles, methods and techniques of qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry. Students will read and review a variety of research articles related to second language methodologies.

AMLA 604 / EDUC 604  -  Motivating Students via Technology,  2 credits.  

Students will discuss how technology can be used in the second language classroom to motivate language learners. Through observations and discussions of how technology is used at the Language Villages, students will design a unit of instruction incorporating technology.

AMLA 610  -  Advanced Practices of Effective Language Instruction,  4 credits.  

Based on High Leverage Teaching Practices (HLTPs) and current research and methodological approaches, students will explore the ways they can leverage the HLTPs and current research in the field to advance their practices as language teachers. This course will be offered online.

AMLA 611 / WLC 611  -  Technology, Media, and Human Relations in the [Target Language]-Speaking World,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course is designed to engage students in listening, reading, writing, and speaking around the topics of technology, media, and human relations in target cultures around the world. Particular attention will be paid to students in K-16 educational contexts, such as the influence of social media on students, students' abilities to engage in current events through technology and social media, and the way in which technology and media affects human relationships and communication in target language countries. Students will read, listen to, and view a variety of authentic texts, and they will also engage in text analysis and discussion on these topics.

AMLA 612  -  Teaching for Intercultural Communicative Competence and Citizenship,  4 credits.  

Students will develop the ability to teach culture for intercultural communicative competence and the goal of helping their students to gain intercultural citizenship. They will learn how to leverage authentic resources, meaningful tasks, and Web-based instructional materials effectively to help students to become intercultural interlocutors and global citizens.

AMLA 613 / WLC 613  -  Products, Practices, and Perspectives of 21st Century {Hispanic, African, Arab, etc.] Diaspora,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course will ask students to examine the relationships between products, practices, and perspectives found in 21st century diaspora within particular countries. Depending on the language being studied and the countries most influenced by the diaspora, students may examine Hispanic diaspora, African diaspora, Arab diaspora, etc. Diaspora comes from the Greek word "to scatter about" and refers to a group of people with the same or similar heritage or ethnicity who have moved to new places throughout the world. Students will examine cultural topics through different lenses in order to understand that the relationship between products and perspecitives or practices and perspectives can vary within one particular culture. Human experiences such as emigration and immigration also greatly influence perspectives. Students will read, listen to, and view a variety of authentic texts, and they will also engage in an ongoing portfolio project and discussion on these topics.

AMLA 620  -  Assessment in the World Language Classroom,  4 credits.  

Students will discuss the theoretical and practical foundations in learner-centered and performance-based assessments. The role of national standards, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) K-12 Performance Guidelines and the LinguaFolio in assessing language learning will be presented. Students will examine a variety of assessment tools and their use in providing meaningful feedback to both teachers and students.

AMLA 622  -  Content-Based Language Learning,  4 credits.  

Students will examine the principles and characteristics of content-based instruction in the second language classroom. A continuum of program models ranging from content-driven to language-driven instruction will be discussed along with implications for curriculum and instruction. Students will design a content-based unit of instruction to demonstrate understanding of the methodology.

AMLA 624  -  Immersive Language and Teaching Experience,  2-4 credits.  

Students will have an intensive experience in the Concordia Language Villages where they will increase knowledge of the target language and culture(s) by using the language to participate and collaborate in Village activities, and by engaging in reflective practice (TESOL teachers will be placed in the English Language Villages). This course is repeatable up to three times.

Repeatable: Yes  
AMLA 626 / WLC 626  -  Advanced Pedagogical [Target Language] Grammar,  4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will examine some of the problematic aspects of advanced target language grammar, focusing on such concepts as indicative times (past tenses), subjunctive tenses (values and uses in simple and complex structures), the values and uses of particular prepositions, and a variety of other concepts. The course will also pay special attention to concepts that are particularly confusing for non-native speakers of the language. However, the course also allows for individual exploration of advanced concepts in order to increase students' own knowledge of the language. In order to examine grammar within authentic, meaningful contexts, students will read and view a variety of texts such as short stories, news, and social media, paying close attention to the values and uses of the concepts being studied.

AMLA 628 / WLC 628  -  Young Adult Literature in Spanish,  2-4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will read and discuss several young adult novels written in the target language. Although there are a number of competing definitions of this genre, this course will mostly focus on literature that is written and published in the target language expressly for young adults between the ages of 14-20 (or older). Students will focus on the way in which aspects of culture are represented and reflected in the various examples of young adult literature we will read in this course. Often young adult literature pushes boundaries, and students will also examine critical questions and topics that arise in the literature within the context of the target culture(s) in which the novel takes place.

AMLA 630 / WLC 630  -  Teaching through Film in [Target Language],  4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will view, discuss, and write about various target language films that they could integrate into their own classrooms in order to teach historical, political, and cultural content through film. Students will read about and research the themes present in the films in order to gain a stronger understanding of the content, themselves, allowing them to develop course materials for their own classrooms. The films will lead to an exploration of different genres of film, various historical and political events, and diverse views of society, human relationships, and other aspects of the target culture.

AMLA 632 / WLC 632  -  Critical Topics and Social Justice in the Spanish-Speaking World,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course is designed to allow students to explore current critical and social justice topics in the target cultures. As these are dynamic topics that are ever changing, the topics of the course will change to reflect current issues in need of examination in various target language countries and within the diaspora. Some examples might be the exploitation of natural resources and environmental justice, gender and sexuality movements, or women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare. Students will read, view, discuss, and write about the topics this class will examine, considering action that they and/or their own students could take to address similar topics in their own communities and beyond.

AMLA 680  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
Repeatable: Yes  
AMLA 690  -  Online Seminar,  2 credits.  

Students will participate in an online seminar to work on their thesis with their faculty adviser and to share progress with others who are working on their thesis. Instruction will be provided in online units that will vary according to the students' needs and the topics of the theses.

AMLA 698  -  Continuing Registration,  1 credits.  

Continuing enrollment in graduate studies. This option is used for registration after completion of all course requirements or when not otherwise actively enrolled. This course may not be used to meet any program or graduation requirement.

Prerequisites: AMLA 690 and AMLA 699 (may be taken concurrently)  
AMLA 699  -  Thesis,  4 credits.  

The thesis will be a written work of publishable quality and will include documentation of literature review and evidence of extensive research to inform the work.

AMLA 6800  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
WLC 611 / AMLA 611  -  Technology, Media, and Human Relations in the [Target Language]-Speaking World,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course is designed to engage students in listening, reading, writing, and speaking around the topics of technology, media, and human relations in target cultures around the world. Particular attention will be paid to students in K-16 educational contexts, such as the influence of social media on students, students' abilities to engage in current events through technology and social media, and the way in which technology and media affects human relationships and communication in target language countries. Students will read, listen to, and view a variety of authentic texts, and they will also engage in text analysis and discussion on these topics.

WLC 613 / AMLA 613  -  Products, Practices, and Perspectives of 21st Century [Hispanic, African, Arab, etc.] Diaspora,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course will ask students to examine the relationships between products, practices, and perspectives found in 21st century diaspora within particular countries. Depending on the language being studied and the countries most influenced by the diaspora, students may examine Hispanic diaspora, African diaspora, Arab diaspora, etc. Diaspora comes from the Greek word "to scatter about" and refers to a group of people with the same or similar heritage or ethnicity who have moved to new places throughout the world. Students will examine cultural topics through different lenses in order to understand that the relationship between products and perspectives or practices and perspectives can vary within one particular culture. Human experiences such as emigration and immigration also greatly influence perspectives. Students will read, listen to, and view a variety of authentic texts, and they will also engage in an ongoing portfolio project and discussion on these topics.

WLC 626 / AMLA 626  -  Advanced Pedagogical [Target Language} Grammar,  4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will examine some of the problematic aspects of advanced target language grammar, focusing on such concepts as indicative times (past tenses), subjunctive tenses (values and uses in simple and complex structures), the values and uses of particular prepositions, and a variety of other concepts. The course will also pay special attention to concepts that are particularly confusing for non-native speakers of the language. However, the course also allows for individual exploration of advanced concepts in order to increase students' own knowledge of the language. In order to examine grammar within authentic, meaningful contexts, students will read and view a variety of texts such as short stories, news, and social media, paying close attention to the values and uses of the concepts being studied.

WLC 628 / AMLA 628  -  Young Adult Literature in [Spanish],  2-4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will read and discuss several young adult novels written in the target language. Although there are a number of competing definitions of this genre, this course will mostly focus on literature that is written and published in the target language expressly for young adults between the ages of 14-20 (or older). Students will focus on the way in which aspects of culture are represented and reflected in the various examples of young adult literature we will read in this course. Often young adult literature pushes boundaries, and students will also examine critical questions and topics that arise in the literature within the context of the target culture(s) in which the novel takes place.

WLC 630 / AMLA 630  -  Teaching through Film in [Target Language],  4 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. In this course, students will view, discuss, and write about various target language films that they could integrate into their own classrooms in order to teach historical, political, and cultural content through film. Students will read about and research the themes present in the films in order to gain a stronger understanding of the content, themselves, allowing them to develop course materials for their own classrooms. The films will lead to an exploration of different genres of film, various historical and political events, and diverse views of society, human relationships, and other aspects of the target culture.

WLC 632 / AMLA 632  -  Critical Topics and Social Justice in the [Spanish]-Speaking World,  2 credits.  

Note: Multiple sections of this course may be taught in different languages. This course is designed to allow students to explore current critical and social justice topics in the target cultures. As these are dynamic topics that are ever changing, the topics of the course will change to reflect current issues in need of examination in various target language countries and within the diaspora. Some examples might be the exploitation of natural resources and environmental justice, gender and sexuality movements, or women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare. Students will read, view, discuss, and write about the topics this class will examine, considering action that they and/or their own students could take to address similar topics in their own communities and beyond.

WLC 680  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
Repeatable: Yes