Spanish Teacher Research Paper

The field of work that I chose to research was education. Since the field of education is so diverse I chose to focus on one career that I could possibly pursue in the future: middle school Spanish teacher. I chose this one job to research because it encompasses almost everything that I think would be a good fit for me in the world of education. Teaching is basically helping people understand a concept so they can use those concepts to help others and solve problems, but being a teacher is more than just an opportunity to impart knowledge. By being a teacher you can help others with finding a purpose. You can help people realize their potential and give them guidance that they could not get anywhere else. Working with middle school aged children …show more content…
This age range is when they are getting ready to go on to secondary education and I find this time in life fascinating. The reason I want to teach Spanish is because learning languages has so much to offer. Foreign language teachers teach communication skills, diversity in culture, history, along with the language itself. Learning a new language can open doors to new experiences that many people do not think about. More job opportunities are open to you if you know another language, keeping the mind active throughout your life aids in preventing memory problems in old age, and so many more friendships can be made if you can communicate with more people. I love languages and the cultures behind them and I would love to share that passion with …show more content…
People pursuing this career can either go through an undergraduate teacher preparation program, or they can specialize in another field. After obtaining a degree, one has to complete a state approved teacher preparation program. In Ohio, there are eight post-baccalaureate educator preparation programs for people who wish to become Spanish teachers, only one of which can be taken partially online. After completing the program, one has to earn a resident educator license. To earn a license, various examinations have to be completed. For a license to teach Spanish to pre-kindergarteners through high school seniors, one has to pass the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Writing Proficiency Test, the Assessment of Professional Knowledge, a background check and a fingerprint clearance. To receive a teaching license in Ohio it is also required of every applicant to have at least ten weeks of student teaching experience. During those ten weeks the student teacher will be under the jurisdiction of a mentor teacher. The mentor will allow the student teacher to observe the classroom, collaborate in planning and organization of lessons, and ask any questions that they have along the way. This is a necessary piece of becoming a teacher because the experience of working in a school environment makes a future educator more comfortable and prepared for the field. Some people also go on to earn certification from