Seeking bilingual education certification can enhance teaching ability.
Teachers interested in teaching classes to non-native English speakers in their first language may pursue bilingual education certification. In bilingual education, teachers teach general education content as well as language acquisition so that students progress both academically and linguistically.
History of Bilingual Education
Ohio became the first state to adopt a bilingual education law in 1839, authorizing German-English instruction in the classroom. By the end of the 19th century, bilingual education laws were also passed in Louisiana for French-English instruction and in the New Mexico territory for Spanish-English instruction. By the mid-1920s, bilingual education was largely dismantled for sociopolitical reasons, but in 1968 the Bilingual Education Act was passed to provide federal funding so that schools could establish native-language instruction methods.
Places to Earn Bilingual Education Certification
Teachers may earn bilingual education certification as part of the initial teacher training and credentialing processes, or certified instructors can return for additional training to earn bilingual education certification. Most certificates are offered through a university's graduate education department as a post-baccalaureate opportunity.
Requirements of Bilingual Education Certification
Course requirements vary from state to state, but most programs require at least 15 hours of credit instruction and field experience. Some programs screen candidates for minimum GPA requirements and prior teaching certification.
Teachers learn develop lesson plans that address the psychological and cognitive elements of language acquisition and develop appropriate assessment techniques. In some cases, teachers must demonstrate their own language proficiency in the language of instruction, such as Spanish.
Bilingual education certification candidates must submit materials to their state education department. Required documents might include transcripts, letters of recommendation and exam results from relevant language proficiency tests required by the state.
Benefits of Becoming Bilingual Education Certified for Teachers
In a competitive job market, bilingual education certification might help teachers differentiate themselves from other candidates, particularly in areas with a high demand for bilingual education, such as large cities that serve as a hub for immigrant populations, school districts near international borders or states with high immigration rates.
In some instances, bilingual education certification may lead to higher salaries or additional opportunities for responsibility, such as facilitating communication between the school and families where languages other than English are spoken in the home.
Bilingual Education in the Classroom
Teachers can enrich learning for second-language learners in the classroom by seeking bilingual education certification. In the U.S., millions of students arrive in classrooms speaking languages other than English. Bilingual education helps students learn English, master content areas, transition to their new home and society in instances when students have recently immigrated, illuminates the culture and primary language of non-native English speakers and may provide opportunities for English-speaking students to acquire a new language.
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