Additional Teaching License in a World/Classical Language

The Additional Teaching Licensure program in World Languages is designed for practicing teachers who hold a current Minnesota teaching license and want to add or extend a license to teach a world or classical language.

This program is designed for working professionals. Most of the courses are offered in the evening during the school year and several are offered during the summer.

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How to apply

Admission information

Required:

  • Current state of Minnesota teaching license.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent with at least a 2.8 GPA.
  • Successful completion of at least two upper-division courses focusing on the development of advanced grammar and composition skills in the language you wish to teach OR successful completion of university-level academic coursework in the language you wish to teach.
  • oral proficiency with a rating of Advanced Low or higher. Register for the test through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Application Deadlines:

  • October 1 for Spring admission
  • February 1 for Summer admission
  • June 1 for Fall admission

Admission decisions are made up to 8 weeks after the application deadline. The number of credits required to complete this program varies based on past coursework, which will be determined upon receipt of your application.

For more details on how to apply, costs and aid, visit the additional license admissions page.

For more information, contact faculty advisor, Sam David.

Curriculum

After you are admitted, you will receive a customized curriculum plan of courses to take to be recommended for licensure. This ensures you get maximum credit for previous academic courses completed and teaching experience.

Following are the state-required competency areas and corresponding U of M course requirements for the world language license.

  • Teaching world languages and cultures in elementary settings
  • Culture as the core in the second language classroom
  • Foundations of second languages and cultures education
  • Teaching literacy in second language classrooms
  • Teaching speaking and listening in second language classrooms
  • Foreign language testing and assessment OR CI 5625 Developing assessments for the second language classroom
  • Second languages curriculum design OR CI 5624 Content-based language instruction and curriculum development
  • Practicum: Teaching world languages and cultures in elementary schools
  • Student teaching in second languages and cultures

In order to be recommend for your Minnesota k-12 World/Classical Languages teaching license, you must successfully complete these licensure requirements required by the state of Minnesota and core competencies. This material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Office of Teacher Education at ote@umn.edu, 612-625-5060.

Master's of education

You can pursue the additional licensure alone or together with the MEd Professional Studies in Second Language Education. You will need to apply to both the additional license program and the MEd program, then work with your adviser to plan your coursework to meet both requirements simultaneously.