Education: World Language Education BS
The World Language Education program is for undergraduate students who are interested in becoming a PK-12 World Language teacher in one of the following languages: American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
A PK-12 World Language License Will Provide You With:
- Strategies and methods to support the target language growth of ALL of your students.
- The tools necessary to modify/adapt your lessons and activities to ensure that ALL students can participate.
- An opportunity to develop/strengthen cultural competence to help you understand and support ALL of your students.
- Tools and resources to become an advocate for World Language education.
Who Is a PK-12 World Language Teacher?
- A World Language teacher is a trained individual (who is fluent in the target language and culture) who can bring the world into a classroom!
- World Language teachers plan for classroom environments that provide students the opportunity to develop proficiency and love, appreciation and fluency for languages and cultures.
- A World Language teacher works with students of all ages to develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English in the target language.
- As a World Language teacher, you will join a network of teachers who are committed to global citizenship.
Why PK-12 World Language Certification?
Learning a World Language can help students to:
- Create positive attitudes and develop less prejudice towards cultures and communities who are different from them.
- Become globally minded individuals who can understand and actively engage with the world.
- Develop fluency in another language and culture.
- Improve cognitive functions.
As a World Language teacher, you will have an opportunity to influence our communities to become more globally minded, multilingual and multicultural!
Career Opportunities
This teacher certification allows program completers to work as a classroom teacher and/or PK-12 World Language teacher.
Additionally, this certification will allow program completers to work in a language immersion school.
Multiliteracies, Languages, and Cultures Resource Library (MLC)
The MLC Resource Library provides interdisciplinary teaching materials for teacher candidates, practicing teachers, graduate students, and faculty of the School of Education who are MLC related. Those seeking instructional materials for student teachings, field placements, or course assignments, are able to access this library.
For more information, visit the Multiliteracies, Languages, and Cultures Resource Library (MLC) webpage.
In this program, candidates will explore the following topics:
- Linguistics and Grammar
- Biliteracy
- Theories of language acquisition
- Politics of language acquisition
- Teaching strategies to support reading, writing, speaking and listening in the target language
- The inclusion of culture as the basis for language acquisition
- Teaching methods to encourage oral proficiency in the target language
- Advocacy
In addition, candidates will have the opportunity to work with World Language students in multiple and diverse field placements.
Program Requirements
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can earn their teaching certification by successfully completing our post-baccalaureate teaching certification program. It’s possible that coursework completed as part of your bachelor’s degree could be applied towards our program. Please complete the web form below to find out if any of your previous course work can be used to fulfill certification requirements.
Request for Transcript Evaluation Form (for post-baccalaureate students only)
Graduate Program
Please contact Dr. Tatiana Joseph, Program Chair and Assistant Professor for more information. This is a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS Degree program. See C&I Master’s degree program.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Students
- A 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA in all UWM and transfer courses at the time of admission application.
- A 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA in any World Language content courses.
- A minimum of 48 credits (UWM and transfer credits) at the time of admission application.
- Additional undergraduate requirements for admission—see academic advisor.
Post-Baccalaureate Students
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on all coursework completed for undergraduate credit.
- A 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA in any World Language content courses.
- For additional information, see your academic advisor
Graduate Students
- Visit the Graduate School Master’s & Doctoral Admission webpage for admission criteria information.
Application Process
Undergraduate Program
Please view the requirements and complete the application form linked below to apply. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the semester in which you wish to begin.
Undergraduate Admission Application
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Please view the requirements and complete the application form linked below to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the semester in which you wish to begin.
Post-Baccalaureate Admission Application
Graduate Program
Please contact Dr. Tatiana Joseph, Program Chair and Assistant Professor for more information. This is a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS Degree program. See C&I Master’s degree program. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the semester in which you wish to begin.
Faculty
- Assistant Professor, Teaching and Learning
- Program Director, English as a Second Language Education
- Program Director, World Language Education
- josepht@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6667
- Enderis Hall 357
Advising
- (Last names A – L) – Tyree Bolden
- (Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas
- Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
- boldentc@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4721
- Enderis Hall 209
- Senior Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
- nclaas@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4721
- Enderis Hall 209
Academic Resources
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the semester in which you wish to begin.
Assistant Professor and Program Director
josepht@uwm.edu
For information or questions about admissions, contact:
Maggie Kaczmarek
Undergraduate Admissions Manager
kaczmarm@uwm.edu
To discuss your academic plan and coursework, contact an academic advisor:
Office of Student Services Advising
soeinfo@uwm.edu
414-229-4721
Academic Advising
(Last names A – L) – Tyree Bolden
(Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas