I. ORIGIN AND PURPOSE

The Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction is an interdisciplinary certificate related to the fields of applied linguistics, second language acquisition, psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines that has important implications for the way we teach foreign languages. Study within these different fields provides a fascinating examination of the way that second languages (L2) are learned and how second language is generated by learners. An understanding of second language acquisition processes both enriches our knowledge of how the mind works and serves to better inform the ways that foreign language teachers design and implement curricular approaches for different levels and skills.

In order to provide our graduate students with additional qualifications and formal training that will make them strongly prepared for a range of demanding academic positions in various languages and literatures, the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction for students enrolled in doctoral degree programs in languages and literatures.

II. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students must apply to be considered for the certificate program and will be evaluated by a faculty committee, twice a year, on approximately October 15 and March 15. (The committee is made up of co-directors and graduate directors of participating departments.) The certificate consists of five courses: 3 required courses and 2 electives. This application is submitted at the beginning of the student's doctoral coursework. M.A. students are not eligible for consideration. Since the certificate requires four additional courses beyond those required for a student's home degree, students accepted will receive additional funding as teaching assistants for the four courses beyond 501 and will receive 9 credits of 590 (dissertation).

The goal of the five-course sequence is to provide certificate students with a solid base in the theoretical and instructional implications of research on language acquisition across different linguistic subsystems (phonology, lexis, syntax, pragmatics) and different linguistic modalities (spoken and written). This formation will also prepare students to be involved in language program design and curricular development.

III. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE CERTIFICATE: 15 UNITS OF CREDIT
ONE COURSE FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS IS REQUIRED

1. Language Teaching Methodology (Fr/Span 501, ANELL 510) or the equivalent in another department for students of that language)
2. Linguistics and Language Learning (Linguistics course), Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (Span 416), or other approved equivalent.
3. Second Language Acquisition (Ling/Span/Fr 466, may have cross-listings with other languages)

TWO OF THE ELECTIVE COURSES ARE REQUIRED

1. Reading and Writing in a Second Language (Fr/Span 469)
2. Grammar and Vocabulary Acquisition (Fr/Span 467)
3. Phonology and Second Language Acquisition (Span 417)
4. Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy: Integrating Technology into Language Instruction (Fr/Span 5013 may have cross-listings with other languages) (*Prerequisite is an entry-level methodology course such as the Fr/Span 501.)

FACULTY: CO-DIRECTORS

Joe Barcroft
Associate Professor of Spanish and
Second Language Acquisition
Department of Romance Languages
314-935-7951
barcroft@artsci.wustl.edu

Cindy Brantmeier
Associate Professor of Spanish and
Applied Linguistics
Department of Romance Languages
314-935-7953
cbrantme@artsci.wustl.edu

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