The French teaching program at WSU integrates a major in French language with professional teacher education courses from the WSU College of Education. It prepares you to pass the Washington state teacher certification exam and run a classroom of your own.

Here's a quick overview of the core courses.

Secondary education core requirements

The professional education course work begins with three prerequisite courses:

Writing and Research
Learning and Development
Initial Practicum Experience

After successfully completing the prerequisites, you can apply to the teacher education program in the College of Education and move on to the professional core.

Professional education core

Curriculum, Instruction, and Content Literacy Methods
Teaching English Language Learners for Secondary Teachers
Secondary Methods of Educational Technology
Adolescence, Community, and School

Classroom Assessment for Secondary Students
Advanced Practicum
Special Education, Transition, and Classroom Management for Secondary General Education Teachers
Student Teaching

For the full sequence of teacher certification courses, see the Teacher Education Program web page.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

As a French major on the teaching track, you'll take core courses like these. Be sure to check the school's website for full info about the French major requirements.

Language

Fourth Semester French
Intermediate Reading and Translation
Intermediate Speaking and Listening

One of the following:

Intermediate Grammar and Writing
Advanced French

Culture

Two of the following:

French Culture (in English)
French/Francophone Culture (in French)
French Society and Culture (in English)

Arts and professions

One of the following:

French/Francophone Film
Intro to French Literature
French for the Professions

Internship and study abroad

One of the following:

ForL 380/480: Study abroad in a Francophone country
ForL 495: Internship in French

Teaching

Methods of Teaching Foreign Language
Instruction Techniques for Foreign Language Learning

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

For all students

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:

• Complete the University’s general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. More about WSU scholarships and financial aid.

For students in French teaching

The School of Languages, Cultures, and Race awards numerous scholarships annually for new students, continuing students, and those pursuing study abroad. Visit the school’s scholarship page for more information.

Students in the major may also apply for more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Visit the CAS website for more scholarship information.

A strong and broad high school background in humanities, social science, and languages is helpful preparation for advanced foreign language study.

Students should take at least two years of a foreign language in high school, which will also meet a WSU graduation requirement.

Future teachers should care about children, enjoy working with them, and have the desire to make a real difference in the world.

• French Club
• The Student Washington Education Association (SWEA) is a pre-professional organization run by education students for education students. All future teachers are invited to join and participate in SWEA activities.
• Kappa Delta Pi, the teaching student honors society, offers activities and networking opportunities.
• The Alhadeff Future Teachers of Color program offers mentorship and academic support to teaching students from underrepresented groups.

French language teachers may teach in public or private schools worldwide. Further study opens up possibilities as a coach, counselor, principal, or other administrative positions in schools.

During the 2014–2015 school year, the standard starting annual salary for a nine-month school year was $34,048 for Washington state teachers, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. With additional education and experience, salaries can be much higher.