Defining Key Concepts in Sociocultural Theory
When scholars talk about Sociocultural Theory, they often rely on shared terms that carry heavy theoretical weight but uneven meanings. Clarifying those terms – without flattening their complexity – is the driving force behind A Brief Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts in Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning, coauthored by Próspero N. García, Associate Professor of Spanish Applied Linguistics and frequent director of the Teaching Spanish MAT program. Written with Eduardo Negueruela-Azarola and Arturo Escandón, the article grew out of sustained collaboration during the pandemic and responds to a long-standing need in the field: a precise, accessible reference point for SCT concepts as they are actually used in second language teaching, learning, and research.
The glossary presents 46 core SCT terms, each defined in a single, tightly focused paragraph. Rather than offering definitive or encyclopedic treatments, García and his coauthors position the glossary as a point of departure – a tool to promote conceptual rigor, shared language, and consistency across pedagogy, assessment, and research design. The article also outlines a basic research protocol that demonstrates how these concepts function as an interconnected system rather than isolated ideas, reinforcing García’s broader scholarly commitment to linking theory, teacher preparation, and applied practice in language education.
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Teaching Spanish MAT: Preparing Educators for Tomorrow’s Spanish Classrooms
The Rutgers–Camden Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Spanish program equips students for careers in K–12 education and community colleges, offering practical training for teaching Spanish in bilingual settings. The program accommodates both fluent Spanish speakers from diverse backgrounds and Anglophone students seeking to enhance their Spanish fluency. Graduates gain advanced language skills, intensive pedagogical training, and cultural sensitivity, preparing them to meet the needs of their academic and cultural communities. This comprehensive approach, combined with immersive Spanish-language instruction, distinguishes the program from others in the region, preparing graduates to excel as Spanish-language educators in diverse educational environments.
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