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Advanced Proficiency for Foreign Language Teacher Candidates: What Can We Do to Help Them Achieve This Goal?
Author(s) -
Pearson Lynn,
FonsecaGreber Bonnibeth,
Foell Kristie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.2006.tb02902.x
Subject(s) - foreign language , accreditation , language proficiency , german , language assessment , curriculum , pedagogy , language education , mathematics education , higher education , psychology , political science , medical education , linguistics , medicine , philosophy , law
This article examines various issues related to the development of advanced proficiency by foreign language teacher candidates with the goal of providing information and strategies for teacher educators and administrators at the university level. Recent changes in the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) requirements stipulate that foreign language teacher candidates in specific languages (e.g., French, German, Spanish) must achieve the Advanced‐Low rating on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)/Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). The article includes descriptions of language proficiency required for foreign language teaching and assessments; a survey of curricula and institutional resources for foreign language education at the university level, which support the development of advanced proficiency; and recommendations for facilitating Advanced language proficiency by foreign language teacher candidates.