There is a shortage of bilingual teachers in elementary schools across much of the United States, yet our school districts are diverse. Students learn best from teachers who understand their home languages and cultural backgrounds. Our education system progresses only if it offers equitable learning experiences. Each student succeeds only if their teacher meets them where they are.
The Bilingual Teacher Pathway (BTP) program works to fill this critical need. We recruit and prepare bilingual and bicultural individuals to become licensed teachers. As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared to support students’ linguistic, cultural, and academic growth. Your impact will shape students’ success in navigating a multilingual, multicultural world.
All teacher candidates are placed in schools that have bilingual or dual-language programs and/or have a population of bilingual and emerging bilingual K–12 students. Student teaching placements are made in collaboration with school districts to ensure that candidates are mentored by master teachers. The program historically has been a “grow your own”/career-ladder path for professional advancement for bilingual instructional assistants in schools. It has evolved and continues to improve to meet the needs of the surrounding community and partner school districts.
Program benefits
- Graduate with a Master of Education degree—or a Liberal Studies bachelor's degree!—and a Preliminary Teaching Licensure to teach in elementary schools, and either a Dual Language Specialization or an ESOL endorsement
- Learn how to work with linguistically and culturally diverse learners and their families
- Understand education through a social justice and equity lens
- Learn how to establish culturally responsive relationships and implement culturally responsive pedagogy and practices
- Benefit from your peers’ knowledge and experiences in our unique cohort model
- Experience incredible value: Learn from experienced teachers—and do so in convenient locations and at an accessible price
- Teach Grant eligible!
Program Specifics
- Enjoy a flexible schedule of evening classes for working individuals
- Optional paid internship during the second year of the program depending on your employment status
- Field Experience (student teaching) often leads to employment.
- Complete the program with a bachelor's or master's degree, earning a Preliminary Teaching License, and a Dual-Language Specialization OR an ESOL endorsement
In April 2016, Oregon joined 32 other states in instituting the award of a State Seal of Biliteracy to high school students who are proficient in at least two languages by the time they graduate. More than half of Oregon’s school districts now aim to have their graduates obtain this honor on their diploma. Dual-language programs are at the forefront of this movement to promote bilingualism and biliteracy, so the demand for dual-language programs increases annually. As the leading public university in Oregon’s largest urban center, PSU supplies many of the state’s bilingual teachers. PSU’s deeply welcoming and inclusive environment provides space for BTP’s diverse students. Both at PSU and in BTP, education is a powerful scaffolding. It helps graduates be resilient in changing job markets and make a difference where you work.
The BTP program has been nationally recognized and awarded. Our cohort model brings together bilingual students to build on each other’s cultural and linguistic strengths. You will learn together about culturally responsive pedagogy and practices and advocating for equity and social justice in education. BTP graduates are highly prepared to teach in dual-language settings and classrooms where there are multilingual students representing many languages.
BTP is a state leader in providing a teacher preparation program specifically designed for bilingual-bicultural students. The curriculum is centered around an equity lens that views language and culture as assets and that draws from the research and best practices for working with bilingual and emerging bilingual students and families. BTP graduates are highly prepared to teach in dual-language settings as well as in classrooms where there are multiple bilingual students representing many languages.
Over 400 bilingual teachers have graduated from BTP since its creation in 1998. Alumni of the BTP program are employed as teachers in schools, specialists in bilingual programs, vice principals, and principals. Many have moved into leadership roles in their districts or with the state. Become a bilingual teacher in general education classrooms, dual-immersion classrooms, and any school with linguistically and culturally diverse students and families.
Accreditation
The Bilingual Teacher Pathway program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).