Childhood Education in Languages, Literature, and Cultures (MA)

Program Educational Goals:

The purpose of the MA in Childhood Education in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures is to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to teach effectively in the dual language immersion classroom. The degree is available in the languages of Chinese and Spanish, the two most widely offered immersion languages in DE schools. This interdisciplinary program provides the opportunity for professional growth in the areas of linguistic and cultural proficiency, as well as teaching methodology.

The educational program goals include the following:

Goal for Language Proficiency:

• Demonstrate a high level of competency in written and oral communication, approximating or exceeding ACTFL language proficiency standards at the level of Advanced-low or higher.

Goals for Pedagogical/Cultural Development:

• Demonstrate the ability to deliver instruction at the K-12 level including the use and preparation of effective teaching materials, curriculum plans, lesson plans and learning assessment strategies and tools.
• Develop a strong foundation in theory of child development, program administration and leadership, as well as a clear understanding of historical and contemporary trends in early childhood which drive the need for services and/or guide the ways in which services are delivered.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and the ability to apply SLA research-based principles and practices of teaching world languages to children to their planning and teaching. 
• Identify and utilize strategies for developing students’ proficiency across the three modes of communication, the 5 C’s, and the 4 skills.  Strategies may include comprehensible input, authentic resources, target language use, and negotiation of meaning.
• Understand the cycle of effective teaching and continuous professional growth.  
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of Spanish or Chinese culture, literature, and history and understand the importance of incorporating the teaching of cultural perspectives, products, and practices into the language curriculum.