Multilingual Education Endorsements

A subject + grade level that you are permitted to teach. Endorsements are given out by Washington State. Every teaching certificate must have at least ONE endorsement. For example, elementary education is an endorsement. All elementary school teachers must have at least this endorsement. 

You can add endorsements to your teaching certificate. The ELL, Bilingual, and reading endorsements are examples.

While the endorsement is a subject, and the grade level you can teach that is listed on your teaching certificate, a Minor is a set of courses designed to give you insight into a particular academic field. It’s a secondary specialization that’s less than a major, but is more than having taken 0-1 introductory courses.

Majors are listed on diplomas. Minors are not. However, your official transcript will show both.

Similarities

The English Language Learner (ELL) and Bilingual Education Endorsement are similar in the following ways: 1) they are both a K-12 endorsement, meaning someone who holds the endorsement can teach at any level and 2) they both require the same set of Western courses, MLE 441-445. Each MLE class is 5 credits. To gain the endorsement, you must take all 25 credits.

Differences

When deciding which endorsement you want to hold, the primary thing we recommend students consider is thinking about what type of future classroom/school you want to teach in. Additionally, you can test into both endorsements and receive both. Getting the BE endorsement requires additional language proficiency testing through ACTFL. 

• You are a strong speaker and writer in a language used in dual language schools in WA state (or other places if you might want to move)
• Shows you have training to work in dual-language schools, and can teach on the “target language” side
• Not yet required in WA state, but may be in the future. Dual language is the preferred model in WA State, and the State Superintendent has made it a goal to have all students have access to Dual Language by 2040.

• Bilingual teachers are paid more in many districts (sometimes the endorsement is needed, sometimes not)

  Bilingual Endorsement Language Requirement

• Because someone with a bilingual endorsement will be teaching content in a language other than English, it is important they have strong proficiency in that language.
• To receive the Bilingual Endorsement, you’ll need to achieve an Advanced Mid rating in Speaking and Writing on the ACTFL.
• These are not tests about the language (you won’t be asked to identify parts of speech, for example). Instead, they are tests of your ability to use language. 
• Before you take the tests, you can self-assess where you’re at. Click on the “Speaking” and “Writing” buttons to view descriptions of the levels and samples. 
• Spanish
  • Links to other languages forthcoming

• Training so that you can be a strong teacher for the multilingual students in your class! Concrete principles and strategies so you can accommodate and modify curriculum in linguistically and culturally relevant ways.
• Matter of equity!
• Employability:
  • Yes, it also helps with employability
  • In WA State, if any portion of your salary is paid through TBIP funding, you must have your ELL endorsement.
• We encourage getting classroom experience after graduating but if you are interested in becoming an MLL specialist, this is the required endorsement. 

Though we recommend you take all five classes sequentially, you can take MLE443 and MLE444 in the same quarter (concurrently). This 10-credit combination is a heavy load, so we recommend that if you find you need to do this you try to pair it with lighter coursework.

Three of the MLE courses include experiences working with Multilingual Learners in K-12 settings. Because MLE courses all meet in afternoons and evenings, all of these experiences will happen outside our scheduled class time. We will work with each of you individually to determine your daytime availability and create a weekly schedule that matches up.

MLE442

• Service Learning - 10 hours (on average, 1-1.5 hours/week)

MLE443

• Practicum - 30 hours (on average, 3-4 hours/week)

MLE445

• Practicum - 30 hours (on average, 3-4 hours/week)

Take the appropriate WEST-E test

• The state of Washington requires teacher candidates to attempt a qualifying endorsement test prior to starting full-time student teaching. Neither the Bilingual nor ELL endorsements are qualifying endorsements! Both are considered add-on endorsements, so you do not need to take them prior to starting your internship. On the contrary, we highly recommend you wait until after taking the entire MLE course sequence before taking the test.
• After you take the final course MLE445, you will take one of the following tests:
  • Bilingual endorsement: WEST-E Bilingual Education 050
  • ELL endorsement: WEST-E English Language Learners 051
  • Vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis
• You do not need to take or pass the WEST-E in order to pass any of the MLE courses or to graduate. The test is solely connected to WA State requirements for your Bilingual or ELL endorsement. 
• Sometimes individuals choose to wait until after graduation to take the test. This is okay, but does have one possible impact you should be aware of. By waiting until after graduation to take the WEST-E, you might need to pay an extra fee (~$50) to Woodring’s certification office. Here’s why: let's say upon graduation you want to apply for your K-8 Elementary teaching license right away - if you haven't taken the WEST-E for ELL then you won't be able to apply for the ELL endorsement at the same time. You can absolutely do it at a later date, you'll just need to pay Woodring's Certification Office again that second time for them to process the ELL endorsement. Summary: Apply for your K-8 license and ELL endorsement at the same time, one fee. Apply for each one separately, two fees.

Take the ACTFL Speaking and Writing tests (Bilingual Education endorsement only)

• Individuals getting the Bilingual Education endorsement must show their proficiency in a language other than English. To do this, you will take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT).