Tom -
 
I agree, in general, with what NCATE wants teachers to know about language,
but it seems to me that this would require at least two, and probably
three, courses in language. I know of schools that have NO course
requirements in language, and in general, it seems to me quite a feat to
have even a single course. After all, every English language requirement
takes away from the literature courses that the English Department would
rather teach.
 
In addition to these language requirements, I'm assuming that NCATE is
going to want some teaching-of-writing requirements. Again, how is this
going to happen?
 
If we require, say, three language courses and two composition courses,
that would either cut into the "normal" English major considerably, or the
courses would have to be added on top of the 30- or 36-hour regular English
major, perhaps as education courses.
 
Is NCATE thinking that secondary teaching should become a five-year degree
program?
 
Bill McCleary
 
William J. McCleary                     Editor: Composition Chronicle
Associate Prof. of English              Viceroy Publications
Coordinator of Secondary English        3247 Bronson Hill Road
SUNY at Cortland                        Livonia, NY 14487
607-753-2076                            716-346-6859
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