World Language Teaching Endorsement in Elementary Education

Western Washington University offers teacher certification in Elementary Education with a world language endorsement in the following languages:

• French - Elementary, BAE
• German - Elementary, BAE
• Spanish - Elementary, BAE
  • Spanish Advising Flowchart

Notes 

• Usually students may begin taking major coursework prior to admittance to the Elementary Education Professional Program.
• The baccalaureate Elementary Education Professional Program is not a major, but leads to teacher certification.
• Students must earn a grade of C- or better for all courses in the language major. A GPA of 2.75 is required in major language. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the Elementary Education Professional Program and in all courses required for the endorsement.
• If you have previously completed coursework in one of the three world languages above from other college or university, have your coursework evaluated by Woodring College of Education, Elementary Education Department. Contact the Teacher Education Admissions Counselor.

• West-E Designated World Languages Test (Code 100)
  • Test and Summary Framework 
• ACTFL speaking and writing Tests

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the description, as well as view samples, of the proficiency levels in speaking and writing of the language you plan to teach. ACTFL speaking and writing Tests

French

• French Writing
• French Speaking

German

• German Writing  
• German Speaking

Spanish

• Spanish Writing
• Spanish Speaking

The first-level Residency Teacher Certification is awarded to new teachers upon the completion of the general requirements:

• Successful completion of a world language baccalaureate or higher-level degree from a regionally accredited college or university (see the three world languages curricula above in French, German, and Spanish)

• Successful completion of content knowledge assessment World Languages WEST-E test and content area speaking and writing tests (assessed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages oral (OPI or OPIc) and written (WPT) tests at the Advanced-Low level as required by the state of Washington) to earn the endorsement (see the ACTFL descriptors above in speaking and writing for each respective language)

• Successful completion of a state-approved, performance-based teacher preparation program that includes the endorsement of a world language

• Evidence of good moral character and personal fitness

• Successful student teaching performance as required by Washington State

At Western, the Elementary Education Professional Program is housed in Woodring’s Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Multilingual Education.