Language teaching is an integral part of the French MA program. Our graduate students (ASEs) generally teach up to 6 quarters of first-year French. Unlike traditional TAs, our ASEs (Academic Student Employees) are instructors of record for their own section, meaning they are responsible for all teaching and grading, as well as most day-to-day course management responsibilities. Whenever possible, we try to give our students the option of continuing with the same instructor from one quarter to the next, so it is not uncommon for ASEs to teach 101-102-103 consecutively, particularly during their first year.
During their first quarter of the MA program, ASEs take a required pedagogy seminar with graduate students from other language departments including Spanish and Portuguese, Germanics and Slavic. This is a unique opportunity to gain a solid theoretical, cross-departmental and collaborative foundation in second-language acquisition as well as participate in teaching and research initiatives throughout the University. Additionally, MA students work closely and meet regularly with the Director of Language Programs and other members of the teaching faculty to create and update teaching materials, write and grade tests, as well as discuss any other issues specific to the French language program.
Our recent MAs have pursued a variety of different opportunities from further graduate work in other fields to working in the tech industry. Several have continued to develop their teaching and now hold full-time positions in both local and out-of-state high schools. Regardless of the intended objectives, earning an MA in French while teaching, training and working with a team of instructors will develop crucial leadership and teamwork skills that are both transferable and highly desirable across disciplines.
All applicants to the MA in French are encouraged to also apply to be a predoctoral instructor ASE with the department. All predoctoral instructors receive a tuition waiver, as well as a stipend, benefits, and union representation. See the full position description (PDF) and application form (PDF).