Multilingual Education

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.

Indeed you can if you are an undergraduate student! The Multilingual Education Minor is composed of the same coursework as the ELL/Bilingual endorsements. 

• 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)
   

• Training so that you can be a strong teacher for the multilingual students in your class! Concrete principles and strategies so you can differentiate 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.
• I don’t believe there are districts that currently pay more to someone simply because they have an ELL endorsement.
• Though we don’t encourage it right away after graduating, this is the endorsement you would need to become a specialist. 
   

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). 
• Needed rating: Advanced Mid 

The Multilingual Education Minor is available to undergraduate students in the English Language Learner/Bilingual Endorsement program. This includes 25 credits of MLE coursework and 3+ credits of approved coursework demonstrating study of another culture for students in teacher certification programs. Students must also meet the equivalent of 2 quarters of college level world language study.

Students working toward an English Language Learner/Bilingual Education endorsement may choose to complete the 28-credit Multilingual Education Minor.

Catalog

Once you are admitted into a teacher education professional program in Woodring, stop by the Elementary Education Department in MH 300 to declare this minor.

Dr. Caleb Zilmer

Interim MLE Program Director

360-650-2238

Caleb.Zilmer@wwu.edu

The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education offers teachers and teacher-candidates the opportunity to complete the coursework for their endorsement program in English Language Learner (ELL) and/or Bilingual Education. While an undergraduate can add both an ELL and a Bilingual endorsement, there is only one minor, the Multilingual Education Minor. The Bilingual Endorsement is described in the section below.

This endorsement program leads to an additional endorsement in English Language Learner based on Washington State English Language Learner endorsement competencies, when accompanied by a professional teacher education program and a first endorsement in another content area. A passing score on the ELL WEST-E is required by the state for the ELL Endorsement,

This endorsement requires 25 credits of MLE coursework and 3+ credits of approved coursework demonstrating study of another culture for students in teacher certification programs. Students must also meet the equivalent of 2 quarters of college level world language study.

Note: The ELL and Bilingual Education endorsements are only for those who are already P-12 teachers or in a P-12 teacher education program.

Catalog

Dr. Caleb Zilmer

Interim MLE Program Director

360-650-2238

Caleb.Zilmer@wwu.edu

This application is for practicing teachers who hold a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate and wish to add an ELL endorsement. Current WWU students who wish to add this endorsement should contact Dr. Caleb Zilmer.

Application Materials:

MLE Endorsement Program Application               

Student Conduct Agreement

The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education offers teachers and teacher-candidates the opportunity to complete the coursework for their endorsement program in English Language Learner (ELL) and/or Bilingual Education. While an undergraduate can add both an ELL and a Bilingual endorsement, there is only one minor, the Multilingual Education Minor. The ELL Endorsement is described in the section above.

This endorsement program leads to an additional endorsement in Bilingual Education based on Washington State Bilingual Education endorsement competencies, when accompanied by a professional teacher education program and a first endorsement in another content area. A passing score on the Bilingual Education WEST-E along with a passing score on the ACTFL language proficiency exam is required for the Bilingual Education endorsement.

This endorsement requires 25 credits of MLE coursework and 3+ credits of approved coursework demonstrating study of another culture for students in teacher certification programs. Students must also meet the equivalent of 2 quarters of college level world language study.

Catalog

Dr. Caleb Zilmer

Interim MLE Program Director

360-650-2338

Caleb.Zilmer@wwu.edu

This application is for practicing teachers who hold a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate and wish to add a Bilingual endorsement. Current WWU students who wish to add this endorsement should contact Dr. Caleb Zilmer.

Application Materials:

Bilingual Endorsement Program Application

Student Conduct Agreement

Currently the major is only offered through Western’s Renton site. The Bachelor of Arts in Education: ELL and Bilingual Education major responds to the growing diversity in the state’s schools and the state’s growing focus on dual language education. The major supports the Woodring College of Education’s efforts to embrace diversity and promote social justice through its community routes to certification. The major focuses on research-based and experience-validated knowledge to help elementary school teachers reach all students. This includes increasing teacher candidates’ cultural competency, capacity to teach English Language Learners, and knowledge to teach effectively in dual language settings. Graduates receive WWU’s recommendation for a Residency Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Elementary Education, and English Language Learners and/or Bilingual.

Catalog

Dr. Beth Dillard

ELL Program Director

360-650-3314

Beth.Dillard@wwu.edu

Or

Miranda Myers Barker

Outreach Program Coordinator

360-650-6292

myersbm@wwu.edu

The English – Multilingual Education Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement Options major focuses on the study of language, linguistics, and literacy, literatures in historical and cultural, films studies and media, composition and rhetoric, and creative writing. Majors take a range of courses in the teaching of English language arts and Multilingual Education. These courses provide a solid foundation for someone interested in teaching English at the secondary level or teaching ELL/Bilingual Education at the P-12 level.

This major is unique in that it leads students toward multiple endorsements – a Qualifying Endorsement in English Language Arts (Secondary) and an Additional Endorsement in ELL and/or Bilingual Education (P-12). Please see the ELL or Bilingual Endorsement section of this website for information about required courses.

The English – Multilingual Education Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement Options major leads to a baccalaureate degree without teacher certification. To receive a recommendation for state of Washington teacher certification with an English Language Arts endorsement, students must complete courses within the English – Multilingual Education Emphasis with Teaching Endorsement Options major as specified herein, pass the NES exam for English language arts, and complete a teacher certification program offered by a Department of Secondary Education as one of the following:

· A part of the undergraduate baccalaureate degree.

· A post-baccalaureate program.

· A part of the Master in Teaching program

To receive the ELL and/or Bilingual Additional Endorsement, students need to complete the requirements outlined in the catalog as well as complete MLE 445 - Methods for Teaching Developing, Expanding, and Bridging Multilingual Learners. A passing score on the ELL WEST-E is required by the state for the ELL endorsement and a passing score on the Bilingual Education WEST-E along with a passing score on the ACTFL language proficiency exam is required for the Bilingual Education endorsement. Contact the English Education advisor

Catalog

Steven VanderStaay

Humanities 281

360-650-3004

Vanderstaay@wwu.edu

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.

Catalog

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