Foreign Languages

Harland Rall, Chair       
ACU Box 28275
Abilene, Texas 79699-8275
Administration Building, Room 134

Phone: 325-674-2364
Fax: 325-674-6703
Email: rallh@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/fl

Faculty
Robert E. Brown, Associate Professor
Yann Opsitch, Instructor
M. Harland Rall, Assistant Professor
Paul Roggendorff, Instructor
 Carolyn Thompson, Instructor
Beatriz Walker, Asosciate Professor

Majors: Spanish (BA) 
               Spanish for Teacher
               Certification (BA)

Minor:   Spanish 

The Department of Foreign Languages offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. High school certification in Spanish may be obtained with the Bachelor of Arts. A minor in Spanish may be added to other majors. 

Introduction

Languages are the student’s key to becoming a citizen of the world. Students develop a deep satisfaction when they can communicate with millions outside their own country and linguistic background. By learning one or more foreign languages, a student can qualify or enhance his or her qualifications for many challenging careers:

  • Teaching. Our nation needs outstanding foreign language teachers and scholars in universities, colleges, secondary schools and elementary schools.
  • Business. A major combining business and a foreign language can lead to careers with multinational corporations, in international banking or accounting, hotel management, import-export business or many other areas.
  • Government Service. Important jobs in the Armed Services, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce and the International Communication Agency require proficiency in foreign languages. Students should consider supplementing language preparation with courses in business management, economics and communication.
  • Mission Work. The majority of the world does not speak English. In order to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world, missionaries need to speak foreign languages. Even if ACU does not offer the specific language of a given country, we often can help the prospective missionary with a language that is widely spoken in the area that he or she is targeting, e.g., French in West Africa, German for Eastern Europe. Moreover, the best way to raise one’s general language learning aptitude is to study a foreign language.
  • Pre-Med. Students entering medical fields often find that a major or minor in a foreign language broadens their intellectual horizons, increases their ability to communicate with patients and is favored by medical schools since it indicates broad human interests.

Also, journalists, librarians, writers, researchers, doctors, nurses, police officers, social workers and many others often find foreign language skills essential.

The person who knows a foreign language has an added dimension to his or her life. Language expands and heightens the pleasure of travel, of good literature and of the arts. It fosters a sense of shared humanity. These intangible benefits may be the most rewarding of all.

General Departmental Requirements: Spanish Majors

Students who have had two or more years of a foreign language in high school should be able to earn college credit by examination. Students should take the CLEP subject examination in Spanish during their senior year of high school. If this is impossible, the test can be arranged through ACU.

ACU offers a cooperative program in Spanish with Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University. Students planning to major in Spanish may take advanced work in Spanish language or literature at either university in addition to courses at ACU.

If a student has little language background or fails to earn sufficient advanced placement credit by examination, he or she may have to take up to 12 hours of elementary and intermediate work as elective hours prior to beginning advanced-level courses.

CLEP Examination Credit 

Examinations for elementary (FL__111, 112) or intermediate (FL__221, 222) French, Spanish and German foreign language credit are given by ACU Career Counseling and Testing Services. Students who have ability in languages for which the ACU Testing Services has no examination must make their own arrangements with an approved university or testing agency and have the credit transferred to ACU.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

DIALEKTOS Language Program for Less Commonly Taught Languages

Utilizing technology/communications that shrink global contacts, ACU is able to offer Less Commonly Taught Languages through a pedagogy that combines on-line and in-class language acquisition.  Students are mentored in language pods by native speakers who, in turn, are guided by off-campus Supervising Professors and on-campus Language Coordinators. Language offerings will vary depending upon availability of native-speaker international students and ACU student demand. Students wishing to register for a language must complete the program application and interview process as found on the website for the department.

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

 

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 SPANISH (BA)

 BA: SPANISH DEGREE PLAN (SPAN)  
UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS  

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog.

 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS  

    FLSP 221 Intermediate Spanish I  

    FLSP 222 Intermediate Spanish II 

    FLSP 386 Advanced Composition (writing-intensive course)  

    FLSP 499 Capstone  

Choose 21 hours from:  

    FLSP 352 Peninsular Spanish Culture

    FLSP 353 Latin American Culture  

    FLSP 385 Advanced Grammar  

    FLSP 388 Advanced Conversation 

    FLSP 440 Special Topic 

    FLSP 480 Hispanic Drama  

    FLSP 481 Hispanic Novel  

    FLSP 482 Survey of Peninsular Literature

    FLSP 483 Survey of Latin American Literature  

    FLSP 490 Spanish for Teachers 

Study Abroad Expectations (can be in hours above or university requirements)

Bible

    BMIS 371 World Religions  

English

    ENGL 231 World Literature I   

    ENGL 232 World Literature II 

Political Science

    POLS 227 Introduction to International Relations 

TOTAL 

1Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements 

and are not included in total major hours

 3

 3

3

3

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)¹

 

(3)¹

3

 

(3)¹

36

SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR  

Supporting Language

Intermediate proficiency in a foreign language other than major or elementary    proficiency in two foreign languages other than major

TOTAL   

 

 


0 -12

ELECTIVES  

 Minimum  

24-36

 TOTAL MAJOR HOURS

 72

OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  

Minimum GPA in major 

Minimum GPA for graduation  

Minimum advanced hours

Minimum total hours 

Courses numbered 0** do not count in

minimum hours required for degree.

2.25

2.00

33

128

 

Teacher Certification

Students interested in teaching Spanish at the high school level should choose the BA Spanish for Teacher Certification degree plan. It will meet all the requirements for language and teacher certification as specified by the Department of Teacher Education.

 

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SPANISH TEACHER CERTIFICATION (BA)     

 BA: SPANISH TEACHER CERTIFICATION 

DEGREE PLAN (SPNT)

 
UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS  

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog 

 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS  

Spanish

    FLSP 221 Intermediate Spanish I 

    FLSP 222 Intermediate Spanish II  

    FLSP 352 Peninsular Spanish Culture  

    FLSP 353 Latin American Culture  

    FLSP 385 Advanced Grammar  

    FLSP 386 Advanced Spanish Composition 

    FLSP 490 Spanish for Teachers  

    FLSP 491 Oral Proficiency for Educators  

    FLSP 499 Capstone  

Choose 2 courses from:

    FLSP 388 Advanced Conversation  

    FLSP 480 Hispanic Drama  

    FLSP 481 Hispanic Novel  

    FLSP 482 Survey of Peninsular Literature 

    FLSP 483 Survey of Latin American Literature  

Study Abroad Expectations (can be in hours above or university requirements)

TOTAL 

Sophomore Literature

    ENGL 231 World Literature I  

    ENGL 232 World Literature II  

TOTAL  

Professional Education Requirements

    EACH 363 Early Language and Literacy  

    EDUC 211 Education Foundations and

         Multicultural Perspectives 

    EDUC 221 Educational Psychology   

    EDUC 412 Secondary Curriculum and Media and

    EDUC 432 Secondary Management and Methods 

    EDUC 490 Student Teaching   

    READ 322 Reading in Secondary Content Areas   

    SPED 371 Teaching Students with Special Needs  

         (writing-intensive course) 

TOTAL  

 ¹Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements

 and are not included in total major hours

 

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

 

3

3

3

3

3

 

33

 

3

(3)¹

3

 

3

 

3

(3)¹

 

6

6

3

 

3

24

ELECTIVES  

Minimum

12

 TOTAL MAJOR HOURS

 72

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION  

In accordance with Texas state law, the ACU Teacher Education Program has established the following criteria for admission to Teacher Education. Before taking more than 6 hours EDUC a student must first be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a student must:

  1. Complete and submit an application for admission into the Teacher Education Program;
  2.  Have completed the first 45 semester hours of credit;
  3. Successfully complete with a C or better 12 hours in the candidate’s chosen content field;
  4. Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 (2.75 or higher in the content field);
  5. Complete 6 hours of University Requirements English with no grade lower than a “C” (In order to maintain admission status the candidate must earn a C or better in all university required English courses.);
  6. Pass all three sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test, with a score on the reading section of 260 or higher, a score on the math section of 230 or higher and a score on the writing section of 240 or higher; Students may retake the THEA once if the required level is not earned in the first administration. Acceptance of scores from a third administration of the THEA are subject to review by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee;
  7. Successfully complete (C or better) EDUC 211 - Educational Foundations and Multicultural Perspectives;
  8. Successfully complete the ACU Teacher Education formal writing sample administered in EDUC 211;
  9. Successfully complete first submission of the Teacher Education E-portfolio as described in the ACU Teacher Education Student Handbook;
  10. A declared major that includes certification;
  11. Receive approval from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee. An interview with the committee may be required.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students: International students with primary languages other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency by the following:

Obtain an official TOEFL score of at least 600 (computer-based score of 250, iBT of 100).

Any exemptions or modification to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Teacher Education. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee. In addition, admission to teacher education is not the final step in the process. In order to remain in the program the prospective teacher must continue to meet the GPA requirement (2.75). Approval to take Education Block classes (411/412 and 431/432) and to enroll in student teaching must be obtained from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee before enrolling in those classes.

Additional requirements for maintaining program admission status:

  1. In order to remain in the Teacher Education Program, an overall GPA of 2.75, 2.75 in the content field, and continued approval of the Teacher Education Admissions Committee must be maintained.
  2. A grade of C or better is required for all majors courses.
  3. Junior and senior transfer students must take the THEA and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program during their first semester at Abilene Christian University to continue in professional education course work. Arrangements to take the THEA should be made as quickly as possible by contacting the Office of Career and Academic Development.

Note:

A candidate who does not have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher may be conditionally admitted to the program if all other admissions criteria are met and if all of the following are true:

  1. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in the last 60 hours
  2. A GPA of 2.75 in the teaching content field
  3. No university disciplinary actions filed – academic or otherwise
  4. A formal letter of request submitted to the admissions committee describing the candidate’s academic history and articulating motivations for wanting to enter the teaching profession. An interview with the Teacher Education Admissions Committee
 
OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  

Minimum GPA for graduation  

Minimum advanced hours 

Minimum total hours  

Courses numbered 0** do not count in

minimum hours required for degree.

 2.75

33

128

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 Minor in a Foreign Language: Spanish

MINOR: FOREIGN LANGUAGE – SPANISH (SPAN)  

Spanish

    FLSP 221 Intermediate Spanish I  

    FLSP 222 Intermediate Spanish II  

    Choose from: FLSP 300-499  

TOTAL 

 

3

3

12

18

    

Foreign Language for Native Speakers of Other Languages
 A special provision exists for the satisfaction of foreign language requirements (under the university 
requirements) by students for whom English is a second language.  Students seeking to fulfill the foreign 
language requirements by the alternative means listed below must (if requested to do so) be able to 
demonstrate to the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages native (L1) proficiency in a language other 
than English (not a dialect of English).  The student's native language need not be one of those offered by the 
Department of Foreign Languages.

University Requirements
 The requirement for "Foreign Language 0 2 high school units or 6 hours" will be satisfied upon successful 
completion of the university requirement for "English - composition: ENGL 111 or equivalent (3) and Literature
(3)" for students who qualify as non-native speakers of English (see above).

Bachelor of Arts Degree
 For all Bachelor of Arts degree programs having a requirement for "foreign language - sophomore level - 6 
hours," that requirement will be satisfied upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts requirement for English - 
composition: ENGL 112 (3) and a second Literature course (3) for students who qualify as non-native 
speakers of English (see above).
 Under this special provision, college credit will be granted for the English courses, but not for any ESL 
(English as a Second Language) course.  Students will still need to complete the prescribed number of hours
for particular degree programs (usually this will mean that a Bachelor of Arts degree student will need an 
additional 12 hours of electives to replace the 12 hours of foreign language that were satisfied by the alternative
means outlined above).

Institute of Intensive English (IIE)

The Institute of Intensive English (IIE) provides semester-long English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at the low-intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced levels. The IIE curriculum is designed to prepare students for ACU credit courses and consists of grammar, reading, composition and oral/aural communication courses at each of the three levels (except that the oral/aural communication course is omitted at the Advanced level).

The low-intermediate and high-intermediate blocks consist of 20 class hours per week (the summer schedule is slightly more intensive). The advanced ESL block consists of 15 class hours per week plus enrollment in one regular or audit class. ESL students must enroll in all courses included in their assigned block of courses (one of the three levels listed) according to incoming ESL placement exam results at ACU or incoming TOEFL scores. Students advance from their initial block by achieving passing grades in all courses of that block. Students earning a failing grade in even a single course of a given block must repeat that entire block. Permission to enroll in full-time developmental and regular credit courses is granted upon successful completion of the advanced ESL block. A particular TOEFL score is not required for ESL students who move from the ESL block into undergraduate courses upon completion of the advanced level. However, students wishing to enter graduate work must meet additional Graduate School requirements, including a minimum TOEFL score of 550, or computer-based score of 213.

Course Descriptions
Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. ESL courses offered by the Department of Foreign Languages include those with the following designation: FLEN.

ESL course offerings include the following groupings:

·    Low-Intermediate ESL Block: FLEN 021, 023, 027, 029.

·    High-Intermediate ESL Block: FLEN 031, 033, 037, 039.

·    Advanced ESL Block: FLEN 041, 047, 049.

NOTE: Courses numbered 000-099 do not count toward the minimum hours required for a bachelor’s degree, nor do they affect the cumulative GPA.

Course Descriptions

Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the Department of Foreign Languages include those with the following designations: FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, FLSP, INTS.

NOTE: All first-year foreign language classes require a lab. Any first-year foreign language (FL__ 111, 112) may be used to fulfill admissions deficiency requirements.

  

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