Path for aspiring French language instructor

[LauraM]

Hi all,

 

I graduated in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Global Studies--I fell in love with France/French in the summer of 2011 when I spent a month studying in Paris. I'm currently living and working in Paris for a year, and my French skills are improving rapidly.

 

Always excited by the job description of language teacher, I can now more than ever see myself in the position, spreading my passion for the French and culture to students in the US.

 

I'm hoping to apply for a graduate program in French after I move back the US and work towards the goal of becoming a French language instructor. I would like to teach college-level age groups, and have been looking into master's and doctoral programs in French at various universities. I'm set on being a language instructor, as I'm mostly interested in language pedagogy and less of a research-oriented role that many university professors have.

 

After doing some research on requirements for these positions (i.e. at a community college), it seems as if a masters would suffice, although I'm not sure about this. What I would get my masters or Ph.D in is my next question--French, applied linguistics, etc.

 

The potential setback: I don't have much formal education in French (I figured out my passion late and only got through French 4 at my university), and I realize this could affect my chances of getting into a certain program. I have a bachelor's in Global Studies, two years of formal education in Farsi, and four quarters of French, but that's as much as far language education goes. I have a fairly impressive résumé from my undergrad years and wrote an undergraduate thesis related to French immigration policy, but right, not too much in the field of French language or literature.

 

Living in France has obviously improved my French massively. I'm more than willing to supplement my résumé with further French courses when I come back to the US to help satisfy any requisites. Also, would studying for and passing a French placement test help give grad schools a sense of my level? 

 

My two main questions now are: What program would best suit my goal of becoming a language instructor to college-age students? And secondly, would I have trouble getting into programs based on my lack of formal French training? I'd love to get some clarification on the next steps I should be taking, and would appreciate any advice you all have.

 

Best,

Laura

[profev]

Bonjour Laura,

Have you been taking French classes while living in France? One of the issues in language studies, even though you are interested in teaching as opposed to research, is reading and writing. Graduate language classes are reading and writing intensive. So, are you certain that after 4 semesters of formal French, a year of living abroad in France (which I am sure has increased your listening and speaking in French, but not necessarily academic writing and reading in French) that you'd be able to take classes in academic French and write at that level?

I could see a couple of situations being beneficial. If a university does not agree that your preparation has prepared you for graduate studies in French, after you are back to the US you can take some 300-and 400 -level French courses, and then apply for a master's degree.

I also think a language placement exam might also help you determine where you are. Also, consider speaking to a French professor in a French program in the US about your questions and if possible, exam the textbook that they use in the graduate level courses. This will also give you a better sense of your abilities. You can even ask to audit a course, or sit in on a few courses to see what it would be like. If the professor thinks that you would be ok, then you might look into a MAT French program which is geared towards teaching French. It prepares you to teach K-12, but I have seen a few people use it at the community college level especially if you decide to take more than the minimal amount of coursework for the French content area. Any program in second language aquisition, foreign language education, applied linguistics would help you to teach French as well.

Another more traditional approach that would take more time, but give you a strong foundation would be to enter a post-bac program or enter as a transient, transfer or non-degree student while taking upper-level French courses to gain your footing in academic French and then apply to a master's degree the next year. You can always enter into a related program like European Studies, Education, etc., and take the French coursework on your own. There are many options.

Another good way to decide is to look at job postings for French teachers. They will tell you the preparation that they prefer for their candidates. Some say MA French or MA in related area with at least 18 graduate hours in French. This will give you an idea of what program you should consider entering. Also, look at the education preparation of French teachers who teach as the level that you want to teach by going to the school's website. This will help as well.

I entered into my French studies a nontraditional way as well. I speak other romance languages which helps. I am currently auditing lower-level courses and will study abroad this summer, and should be ready for graduate-level French classes next year. Anything is possible!

Bonne chance!

Edited February 17, 2013 by profev

[LauraM]

Thank you so much for your response. All of this is really, really helpful. I've started emailing graduate program advisers regarding candidacy for each program, and am getting a lot of additional insight into how I can best prepare myself. I may follow your advice about entering a post-bac program to get a better footing in academic French and boost my application prospects.

 

Anyway, I really appreciate your advice!