Hello world!! Ok, so I will be going starting college this fall at UCSB!! I’m currently a Pre-Comm major and I may change that in the future because I’m not sure if I’d like that.
Anyways, I’m having trouble choosing majors. So from what I’ve read, in order to be a teacher, you must get a B.A in the subject you want to teach, and then get your teaching credential. Is this correct?
Now, I want to be either a Spanish teacher or a History teacher. Leaning more towards Spanish but the thing is, I’M ALREADY FLUENT IN SPANISH!! I kind of don’t want to get a degree in something I already know. I would double major, but I don’t want to do 5 years at UCSB.
My question here is this: can I possibly be able to teach Spanish if I minor in it? Do I really need to get my BA in it? Thanks for your answers. I’m hoping to teach in CA (where I’m from).
First and foremost, you can get certified AS you’re getting that BA, at least provisionally. Take a look at the State Board of Education, under Certification, for your home state. Also take a look at the tests you’ll have to take; they vary widely from one state to the next.
Secondly, anyone who wants to teach anything-- including English if it’s their native tongue, need a minimal number of credits and the ability to prove competency. The fact that you speak Spanish doesn’t mean you’re capable of explaining it, or even that you’re speaking it correctly (I know a LOT of native English speakers who frequently have issues with subject verb agreement) or of the basics of grammar or culture or literature. Teaching Spanish means so much more than merely fluency.
(And, as a total aside: It’s mid September. When are you going to start school? Every college kid I know has been back for weeks, and even every high school I know has already begun classes.)
Thanks for your input!! I’m gonna do some more research. I didn’t wanna sound like I can teach Spanish just because I know how to speak it, that would be completely incorrect.
I move in this Saturday and start classes next Thursday. We’re on the quarter system
A BA is a must but some states require a Masters. The best route would be to get a bachelors in Spanish Education. Then you’ll need to get a teaching certificate. After that most teachers get a Masters so they can expand in their career. You must be extremely good at Spanish to teach it and must prove that you can fluently speak is. Also to become a teacher you must have some internships done.
