Home / Academics / Programs / Major / Spanish Education
Spanish Education
If you’re passionate about Spanish and teaching, the Spanish Education major prepares you to inspire the next generation of language learners. This program leads to a State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in Spanish education, qualifying you to teach world languages from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. With a strong foundation in Spanish language, culture, literature, and linguistics—combined with hands-on teaching experiences—you’ll graduate ready to make an impact in classrooms.
Experiential Learning
As a Spanish Education major, you’ll develop advanced language skills, a deep understanding of Spanish culture and linguistics, and the tools to effectively teach a second language. Your hands-on learning experiences may include:
- Study abroad opportunities for a semester or during January and May Interim terms in destinations like Costa Rica, Peru, and Spain.
- Conversation tables to practice speaking Spanish in a casual, immersive setting.
- Community engagement projects working with Peoria’s Spanish-speaking population.
- Classroom experiences that blend liberal arts learning with real-world teaching practice.
- Critical thinking development, helping you analyze and communicate cultural perspectives effectively.
Program Details
Required Mathematics BCC Course
- MTH 101: The Art of Mathematical Thinking or MTH 111: Elementary Statistics (3 hrs.)
Professional Education Requirements – 50 hrs.
- ETE 100: Technology Applications (1 hr.)
- ETE 115: The History of Education in the United States (3 hrs.)
- ETE 116: Field Experiences: Schools and Schooling in American Society (1 hr.)
- ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood (3 hrs.)
- ETE 215: Strategies for Effective Teaching or ETE 216: Effective Planning and Instruction for Teaching (3 hrs.)
- ETE 219: Human Development and Effective Field Experience (1 hr.)
- ETE 230: Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments (3 hrs.) or ETE 232: Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines (2 hrs.)
- ETE 235: Methods of Teaching ELLs (3 hrs.)
- ETE 270: Physical Development and Health (1 hr.)
- ETE 280: Exploring Diversity (3 hrs.)
- ETE 304: Novice Teaching Experience in World Languages (3 hrs.)
- ETE 310: Teacher Performance Assessment (1 hr.)
- ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I or ETE 315: Methods of Literacy II (3 hrs.)
- ETE 345: Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments (3 hrs.)
- ETE 368: Content Reading for All Students (2 hrs.)
- ETE 369: Assessing All Students (2 hrs.)
- ETE 387: Methods of Teaching PreK-12 World Language (3 hrs.)
- ETE 493: Student Teaching in World Languages (12 hrs.)
Spanish Major Core Requirements – 27 hrs.
- WLS 303: Composition (3 hrs.)
- WLS 304: Conversation (3 hrs.)
- WLS 315: Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3 hrs.)
- One Linguistics Course: WLS 311, 320, 360, 370, or 402 (3 hrs.)
- One Peninsular Literature Course: WLS 340, 341, 346, or 347 (3 hrs.)
- One Latin American Literature Course: WLS 342, 343, 345, 347, 380, 385, or 425 (3 hrs.)
- One Civilization Course: WLS 305, 306, 307, 321, 322, 330, 401, or 410 (3 hrs.)
- Two elective courses (6 hrs.)
Career Opportunities
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and skilled language educators are in high demand. With a Spanish Education degree, you’ll be prepared to teach Spanish in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms. Graduates can find opportunities in:
- Bilingual and dual-language education
- Curriculum development
- Educational administration
- Language tutoring and immersion programs
- International teaching opportunities
Minors
Explore the French-speaking world through language, culture, history, literature, and film. You’ll build speaking and writing skills in class while engaging in conversation tables, the French Club, and study abroad programs.
Open to all students, this minor pairs well with business, communication, psychology, sociology, computer science, and other world languages.
Enhance your Spanish language skills while exploring the diverse cultures, literature, and film of the Spanish-speaking world. Engage in conversation tables, the Spanish Club, and study abroad opportunities to practice your skills in real-world settings.
Open to all students, this minor pairs well with majors like business, communication, psychology, sociology, international studies, and other world languages.
Gain valuable language and cultural skills for the global business world. You’ll build Spanish proficiency through business-focused courses and study abroad, where native speakers teach you industry-specific language skills.
The program includes an international internship, providing real-world experience while immersing you in a Spanish-speaking culture.
Gain valuable language and cultural skills for the global business world. You’ll build Spanish proficiency through business-focused courses and study abroad, where native speakers teach you industry-specific language skills. Ethics and morality are important not only because of their possible benefits to your career, but also because they are essential to being a human being. The Ethics minor places emphasis on the academic study of ethics and values. The goal is to afford the student with the opportunity to analyze the foundations, the background, and consequences of our moral behavior.