Bilingual Education Minor

Department of Elementary Education, Woodring College of Education

32 credits

Note: The Bilingual Education Minor is for undergraduate students in a P-12 teacher education program who are working toward or already fluent in a language in addition to English. 

Introduction

Undergraduates may complete a 32-credit minor in Bilingual Education. To declare the Bilingual Education minor, students must complete a cultural studies course taught in the language of that culture, or demonstrate the equivalent in experience. Students must also be recommended by the department of Modern and Classical Languages prior to enrolling in the seminar and practicum in Bilingual Education or declaring the minor. Students must complete the minor with a minimum GPA of 2.7 in minor course work.

Why Consider a Bilingual Education Minor?

Teachers with a Bilingual Education Minor from Western Washington University possess in-depth understandings of the role of cultural and linguistic diversity in each student’s education and the demonstrated ability to use research-based instruction when teaching in English and also in a non-English target language. The numbers of bilingual schools continue to grow across the United States as research documents the benefits of quality programs. Our program includes study of a variety of models for bilingual education, including two-way, dual, one-way, and early exit models. In addition, current issues related to bilingual education are explored. Teachers who earn the Bilingual Education Minor may also be able to seek the state English Language Learner and Bilingual Education endorsement (check current state requirements).

The Bilingual Education Minor program prepares you to:

• Teach standards-based content in a target language other than English.
• Work with families from various cultures.
• Serve as a resource for other teachers.
• Instruct using effective methods including strategies from the Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD).
• Thrive in culturally and linguistically diverse settings.

Contact Information

Dr. Marsha Riddle Buly 360-650-7348 Marsha.RiddleBuly@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Dual Language Teacher | Bilingual Teacher | ELL Teacher | Bilingual Coach

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

To be admitted to the P-12 bilingual minor apply in Miller Hall 300.

Grade Requirements

Students must complete the minor with a minimum GPA of 2.7 in minor course work.