Publication Date

1966

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Mueller, Richard J., 1927-||Axelson, John A., 1929-

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Education

LCSH

Languages; Modern--Vocational guidance; Counseling in secondary education

Abstract

The problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the preparedness of high school guidance counselors to provide students with information concerning occupational opportunities which utilize modern foreign language skills, and to explore the counseling practices and the reference materials employed by counselors in this area of guidance. Method. A survey to determine the preparedness of high school guidance counselors was conducted by interviewing one counselor from each of seven high schools selected to be representative of a cross-section of types of communities in the northern Illinois area, excluding Chicago. The semi-structured interview dealt with (1) the number of students seeking guidance in utilizing their foreign language skills in an occupation, (2) the practices of the counselors in providing those students with pertinent information, and (3) the kinds of printed occupational information available to the students. Responses were summarized and conclusions drawn from the findings, Findings. In the schools sampled 20 to 30 per cent of the students were enrolled in modem foreign language classes. French was the most frequently studied language, followed by Spanish, German, Russian, and Italian, after two years 79.8 par cent of the students discontinued their study. The number of students seeking occupational guidance in using their foreign language skills ranged from 0 to 5 students per school. Counselors employed varied practices in guiding these students. Four counselors stressed the importance of studying a foreign language In order to meet college entrance requirements. The importance of combining a saleable skill with proficiency in a foreign language was stated by three counselors. All counselors had some knowledge of occupations requiring foreign language abilities. These included teaching, foreign service work, interpreter, translator, importer, missionary, and librarian. In transmitting occupational information to students, four counselors referred students to the foreign language teacher, and one counselor also utilized local citizens with experience in this area. One school made use of assemblies to acquaint students with occupational opportunities in subject matter fields. Bulletin board displays were used by one school to attract student attention. All counselors used occupational literature. The types of literature utilized by counselors and submitted to the researcher for examination included occupational briefs, pamphlets or reprints dealing with specific occupations, college guides listing colleges offering foreign language majors, and books and pamphlets dealing with the broad spectrum of occupational opportunities utilizing foreign language skills.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

viii, 47 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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