If you want to teach world languages in U.S. PK-12 schools in ethical and culturally responsive ways, the World Language Education (WLE) program is for you.
There is a critical need for world language teachers in Wisconsin and beyond. This program is for students who want to become highly qualified world language teachers and have already earned an undergraduate degree with a language proficiency and 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 are able to create transformative language learning experiences for diverse students.
In just three semesters, you will gain experience in educational theory, engaging students, and translating your studies into curriculum. You proceed through the program as a cohort, surrounded by peers who understand your goals and experienced teachers and faculty who are ready to support you.
World Language Program Prerequisites
Applicants for the World Language Education program must demonstrate specific criteria to be accepted, such as language proficiency scores, certain coursework or experience, and GPA requirements.
Non-U.S. Graduates: Review the graduate school’s application requirements for specific information about comparable degrees in your country and which academic documents are required.
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Earn a Relevant Undergraduate Degree
- Applicants need to have (or have completed by June of the year they enter the program) a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.While there is no prerequisite major requirement some majors that transition well into world language education are:
- African Studies
- American Indian Studies
- Folklore
- Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Studies
- International Studies
- Linguistics
To discuss your eligibility or to send us a statement and a copy of your transcript, email L.J. Randolph at lj.randolphjr@wisc.edu.
Achieve Academic Standards and Qualification Benchmarks
- Applicants must demonstrate academic and content competency through coursework, examination, or a portfolio of evidence.
- For admission to Graduate School, a minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
- If this benchmark is not met, the program may request special approval for a candidates
- It may be necessary for the candidate to take a standardized test such as the GRE, ACT, or SAT
- To be eligible for certification, candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or above within their content area.
- If this benchmark is not met,
- the student would need to pass a content exam, or
- prepare a portfolio of evidence showing their competency in the content domains
- If this benchmark is not met,
- For admission to Graduate School, a minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
World Language Proficiency
Applicants for the World Language program must have a passing PRAXIS score or an ACTFL score of Intermediate High on the Oral and Written Exam of the language of certified instruction. Your score must be from within two years before the start of the admission term. The language of instruction at the college or university level and how recently the language instruction was taken are the determining factors in meeting this requirement.
Non-native English speakers must also show adequate instructional verbal skills, by passing a verbal interview with the World Languages ESL team.
Applicants may be exempt if:
- English is the exclusive language of instruction at the undergraduate institution; or
- You have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university within five years of the anticipated semester of enrollment, or
- You have completed at least two full-time semesters of graded coursework, exclusive of ESL courses, in a U.S. college or university, or at an institution outside the U.S. where English is the exclusive language of instruction. Completion of graded coursework cannot be more than five years before the anticipated semester of enrollment.
- An exemption is contingent on the World Language program’s discretion
TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically via ETS. IELTS scores can be submitted electronically or by paper. Our office address is:
UW-Madison Graduate School, Office of Admissions
232 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706