Graduate
Degree Programs
Master of Arts in the Teaching of French (M.A.T.)
General Description
The Master of Arts in Teaching French has been designed specifically for teachers or future teachers of French. It offers graduate-level course work in the French language, culture, teaching methodology, applied linguistics, art, and literature. It provides for the professional development of French teachers through the improvement of their language and teaching skills, and it aims toward career advancement. Graduates of the program will in turn contribute to better teaching of in schools, improving the language skills and the cultural awareness of students who study Spanish.
Student Learning Outcomes
This international course of study has been designed specifically for teachers of Spanish. Graduates of the program will in turn contribute to better teaching of French in area schools, improving the language skills and the cultural awareness of students in the state of Indiana. Students completing the M.A.T. in French curriculum will:
- Know a variety of theories on the process of second language acquisition.
- Know effective methods and techniques of Teaching French.
- Know main cultural manifestations of the language in literature.
- Know social practices and perspectives in France and French-speaking regions and countries.
- Know structural and cultural differences between French and English and between the communities that use these languages.
- Understand second language grammars.
- Understand second language production and comprehension, input processing, and the acquisition of pragmatic and sociolinguistic competence.
- Understand the formal properties of French as a language.
- Understand the relationship between language and society in the French-speaking world.
- Understand the value of different methods to teach languages and cultures.
- Understand the importance of critical thinking in examining other cultures and comparing them with one's own.
- Understand their place within multilingual international communities.
- Understand the connections between language studies (language, literature, culture and translation/interpreting) with other disciplines.
- Be able to identify and implement effective pedagogical practices.
- Be able to identify appropriate teaching objectives, techniques, materials and outcomes.
- Be able to contribute to the improved teaching of French in schools by fostering strong language skills and deep cultural awareness among their students.
- Be able to apply the knowledge of the language system and culture to function effectively as teaching professionals, and in intercultural settings at home and abroad.
- Be able to interact within multilingual international communities here and abroad in ethically and culturally sensitive ways.
- Be able to reflect on their teaching practice and seek professional development opportunities.
The stackable structure of the MAT in French is ideal for high school and community college educators wanting to teach dual-credit courses, or for high school educators wanting to teach at the community college level. This program is designed to help you meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers to hold either a master’s degree in their area of instruction or a master’s degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.
- If you hold a master's degree in a discipline other than your discipline of instruction, you can meet HLC's standards by completing one of IU Online’s graduate certificates.
- If you need both a master's degree and discipline-specific coursework, the MAT in French meets HLC standards and provides a comprehensive program of study in French.
This 100 percent online program is taught by IU Bloomington, IU East, IU Indianapolis, IU Northwest, and IU Southeast. This consortial model means you take coursework from multiple campuses and benefit from the expertise and experience of a diverse faculty.
MAT Requirements
To earn the MAT in French, you must complete 30 credit hours.
Requirements are broken down as follows:
- Core courses (9 credit hours)
- French/Francophone studies courses (6 credit hours)
- French linguistics course (3 credit hours)
- Foreign language methodology, applied linguistics, and language acquisition course (3 credit hours)
- Electives (9 credit hours)
For more information please see: MAT in French
