Multilingual Education
The Multilingual Education Program fosters the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to support language learners.
Welcome!
Students who are Multilingual learners (MLLs) are the fastest growing student population in the public school system. Statewide, approximately 10% of all P-12 students are multilinguals with some districts having much higher percentages. To meet the needs of this diverse population in the general education classroom, teachers who are experienced with working with MLLs are needed at all grade levels and content areas. For many schools, the ELL or BE endorsements are highly recommended and desired by school administrations.
Teachers with endorsements in ELL or BE possess in-depth understandings of the role of cultural and linguistic diversity of MLL learners. By gaining the ELL and/or Bilingual endorsement, you will support students in general education classrooms or as a specialist to learn faster using higher level thinking!
Where to Find Us
On our Bellingham campus, we are housed in the Department of Elementary, Early Childhood, and Multilingual Education on the 3rd floor of Miller Hall.
TESOL
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate in Supporting English Language Learners provides students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of second language learning and English language teaching methodologies and strategies. The curriculum includes a seminar to explore professional opportunities in TESOL and an opportunity to engage in a community-based practice experience in a volunteer setting supporting English language learners.
Students interested in working with English language learners–ranging from youth to adult, can participate in this program to develop skills to support individuals–both domestically and internationally–in learning English. The community focus of this program engages students in thinking about TESOL as a way to outreach to diverse populations and to embed practical strategies for working with language learners into their selected program of study.
Please note: This is not the same as a K-12 teaching endorsement. If you want to teach in the K-12 school system in the US, please see the ELL and/or Bilingual Education Endorsement section for more information.
TESOL@wwu.edu