Teaching Latin American Studies
Share your love of Spanish
Teachers of Spanish in our K-12 schools play a vital role in the world today. They open doors for young people to the world's 3rd most spoken language, and the language of 50+ million native speakers and bilingual speakers in the U.S.
The Latin American and Latinx Studies (LAS) program offers a 60-credit comprehensive Spanish teaching degree, which includes at least 33 Spanish language credits and a minimum of 19 credits in humanities and social sciences and leads to licensure to teach Spanish in Early Childhood through Adolescence classrooms.
The added cultural, geographical and historical knowledge that the LAS teaching degree gives future Spanish teachers will pay off for your students. An appreciation of the societies surrounding the language is invaluable, so along with speaking skills, youngsters in your classroom will gain a global perspective that strongly enhances their base in the language.
Comprehensive teaching
60 credits
This comprehensive plan does not require a minor or other secondary major, and prepares students to teach Spanish in Early Childhood through Adolescence classrooms. LAS teaching comprehensive majors must also be part of the College of Education and Human Sciences and will be assigned an academic advisor within the College of Education in addition to their content area advisor. Full details of the education requirements can be found in the online catalog under Teaching Licensure Requirements.
What do I need to take when?
To see an example of what a degree plan for the comprehensive teaching major might look like, click the link below. Keep in mind that this is a sample plan, and your exact plan may vary.
Need help sorting it all out?
Don't worry, your advisors will be the experts to help with all the nuts and bolts, but the documents linked below can be helpful in reviewing the requirements and being sure you don't miss anything in your planning.
Language immersion requirement
Because of its invaluable benefits to students in terms of developing fluency in the target language and learning about Latin America, all LAS majors and the minor have a language immersion requirement of six weeks in a Latin American country, although a full semester is recommended if possible, especially for those doing the comprehensive teaching major. The requirement can be met through enrollment in an approved academic study abroad program, the National Student Exchange program, an internship or service/volunteer work. Students facing extenuating circumstances may participate in an alternative domestic language immersion experience pre-approved and determined in conjunction with the LAS Committee.
How do I declare a Latin American Studies major, minor or certificate?
If you're interested in any of the above, or in changing from your current major, see your academic advisor or contact the LAS program director at LAS@uwec.edu.