Grand Re-OPENING: Welcome Language Teacher Candidates
There is a critical need for world language teachers in Wisconsin and beyond. We are excited to re-open our certification program to help interested people develop the tools and skills needed to support today’s students.
The WLE program is for students who want to become highly qualified world language teachers and have already earned an undergraduate degree with language proficiency and a sociocultural understanding of that language.
The WLE program will prepare teacher candidates to be critical world language educators who acknowledge and respond to social and educational inequities. The program is grounded on frameworks of justice-oriented, antiracist, and anticolonial pedagogies. Through rigorous and cutting-edge program classes, students will develop as critical thinkers and reflective professionals who can create transformative language learning experiences for diverse students.
The program is a streamlined, graduate-level program that prepares students for an initial teaching license in a specific language area. Each June, we assemble a small cohort of incoming students to assist on their journey to become certified teachers of a world language. Candidates will earn certification and their degree by June of the following year.
If you have questions about the field of world language education or preparation within the program, please feel free to reach out to us. Start your conversation with
- the WLE faculty advisor – LJ Randolph Jr., lj.randolphjr@wisc.edu
- the secondary program coordinator – Joey Lubasi, lubasi@wisc.edu
- the secondary program assistant – Grace Baik, gbaik@wisc.edu
World Language is accepting applications for the Summer 2023 Cohort (Starts in June)
Applications are currently being accepted. Application reviews are completed once a month. Please submit materials by the 1st of the month to ensure your materials are reviewed.
Applications will be considered for the upcoming cohort as space allows.
Final review to be done in May, 2023
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Pre-requisite #1: Earn a relevant undergraduate degree (completed by June)
- An undergraduate degree within a language area would meet the background requirements.
- If you believe you have an alternate pathway for consideration, please email a statement and a copy of your transcript to Professor LJ Randolph Jr. explaining your situation.
Pre-requisite #2: Language proficiency and sociocultural understanding of the language
- A proficient test score to demonstrate language fluency would meet the language and sociocultural requirements.
- If you believe you have an alternate pathway for consideration, please email a statement and a copy of your transcript to Professor LJ Randolph Jr. explaining your situation.
Pre-requisite #3: Achieve academic standards and qualification benchmarks
- earning a 3.0 GPA or above, or
- passing an approved examination, or
- providing adequate evidence through a portfolio, evaluated by a review team
Admission Steps
- Complete UW Graduate School application Link to website
- Includes demographic data, statement of purpose, resume, 2 letters of recommendation, supplemental application, informal transcript
- More information found at “Step 1” on the “How to Apply” page
- Internal review of your application materials
- collating and validating information
- content base team review of application materials
- More information found in: “requirements for admission page-” including specific review team criteria
- Communication and commitment
- Program staff will reach out to you regarding your admission status after the review
- Candidates will have a limited time to accept the position
- Final admissions steps (including a formal transcript) will be necessary through the graduate school
- Register for classes in May
Program Review
- Academic readiness
- This program is an intensive masters program and requires candidates to be capable of high academic expectations
- Connection to teaching
- Although previous experience is not required, candidates should have thoroughly examined their role and commitment to becoming a teacher.
- Philosophical match
- We believe in education for all children. We expect our candidates to value this perspective and be thoughtful and reflective about their own practice and room for growth.
- More information: including specific review team criteria