Thread: Do I have to have a Masters degree specifically in French to teach French?

I am wanting to get a masters in History to teach History at the college level, probably at a community College.My question is I would like to teach french at a community college as well. Do I have to have a masters in French to teach French or will my Masters in History count? By the way I am fluent in French.

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What we generally hear is that the minimum requirements for teaching a subject at the college level is 18 grad credits in that subject area. So, technically, you do not need a Masters degree in a subject in order to teach that subject. However, reality has a way of interfering in such plans because what you will find is that you will be facing stiff competition for those jobs and some of your competitors will not only have Masters degrees but will have Doctoral degrees as well.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Yesh......

I had a teacher at Quincy College for American Government (which I dropped after the first couple of classes after I found out I passed the CLEP exam) who had his degrees in Political Science , but he was born & raised through his teen years in Italy, so he was fluent in both English & Italian. He also taught Italian at the school, despite having no formal academic training in the language at the college level.

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	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Yeah Bruce, but let's face it. That's Massachusetts, an aberration.

Originally Posted by s10swany

I am wanting to get a masters in History to teach History at the college level, probably at a community College.My question is I would like to teach french at a community college as well. Do I have to have a masters in French to teach French or will my Masters in History count? By the way I am fluent in French.

Bonjour,

It depends on the school. Some schools would accept a masters in any area plus 18 credits in the teaching area while others need you to have a masters or at least a bachelors in the teaching field.

If you teaching languages, you might want to try the teaching certificates as a foreign language from ACTFL. Many schools acept these certificates to teach languages.

Home - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Yes, you should obtain it

I'll never be in the real position to act on my opinion but I woulf never hire a person to teach French simply because they spoke French. The USA is full of people who speak English but how many of them, just by virtue of speaking English, are actually competent to teach English?

Originally Posted by Kizmet

I woulf never hire a person to teach French simply because they spoke French.

My ex girl friend had a master in french and was teaching french at the high school level but couldn't hold a conversation in french. Not because you have a degree in French, it means you can speak it.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Generally, I have seen community colleges require a Bachelor's in the language PLUS a Master's in either the language in or in linguistics (including applied linguistics). Have you ever thought about teaching high school language courses? The requirements vary, but are typically less stringent.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by RFValve

My ex girl friend had a master in french and was teaching french at the high school level but couldn't hold a conversation in french. Not because you have a degree in French, it means you can speak it.

Also, even if you can speak it and teach it, it is an entirely different skill set altogether if you want to interpret it. C'est pourquoi ce que je fais est spécial :)

Originally Posted by Maniac Craniac

Generally, I have seen community colleges require a Bachelor's in the language PLUS a Master's in either the language in or in linguistics (including applied linguistics). Have you ever thought about teaching high school language courses? The requirements vary, but are typically less stringent.

I have my undergrad degree in education and two Western European languages. With an M.A. in linguistics, are you saying that I could still possibly find work as a foreign language teacher at the college level without formally getting degrees in the specific languages?

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	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by RFValve

My ex girl friend had a master in french and was teaching french at the high school level but couldn't hold a conversation in french. Not because you have a degree in French, it means you can speak it.

Yeah, maybe you're right. But on the other hand, your xgf was the one with the job and our fluent French friend is unemployed.