A significant percentage of public-school students in the U.S. are English learners (ELs) who are bilingual or speak more than one language. In 2021, there were 5.3 million EL students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). With the influx of Spanish-speaking students in recent years, there is a shortage of bilingual teachers who can teach all subjects to these students at the K-6 grade levels, particularly educators who are not native English speakers.
For instructional aides who want to gain the credentials and strategies to become certified bilingual teachers, Texas State University offers an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education in applied bilingual/biliteracy education program. The program develops the expertise in both English and Spanish that graduates need to work with diverse learners.
What Is Bilingual Education?
The number of ELs varies from state to state. However, all states are affected, with Texas, California and New Mexico having the highest percentages, per NCES. Bilingual education differs from learning English as a second language in that every subject is taught in both languages, with the goal of fluency and literacy. Students work in every basic subject, learning both English and Spanish.
More than 76% of students classified as English learners speak Spanish as their primary language. At one time, English immersion was believed to be more effective than bilingual education, but two-language programs are now considered a more effective way to address the achievement gap between native and non-native speakers.
Addressing the Shortage of Bilingual Teachers
Eleven states have reported a shortage of bilingual education teachers. Experts say this “stems from a lack of role models, inaccessible and unaffordable higher ed teacher training programs and weak academic language skills among would-be-educators.” Many bilingual students don’t envision themselves becoming bilingual teachers.
Adriana Cervantes-González is the program manager at the California Center on Teaching Careers, where she works to increase the pool of qualified teacher candidates in the state. She says these students need encouragement and opportunities so they can build on the knowledge and skills they naturally have to become bilingual teachers.
The Journal of Latinos and Education reports that Latino students interested in becoming bilingual teachers are at risk of prematurely exiting from this career path at three primary junctures: high school graduation, enrollment in higher education, and college graduation and certification. They face challenges in becoming and remaining bilingual as well as family perception that teaching is not a desirable career.
In addition, they report a lack of support and feeling valued in terms of their culture and bilingualism within educational institutions. When access to universities that offer a four-year teaching degree is a barrier for some students, online programs can make it possible for students, even in remote areas of the country, to acquire the training and skills needed for a bilingual teaching career. States like Texas and California, with the highest percentage of students needing bilingual teachers, are implementing stronger recruitment, retention and compensation for bilingual teachers.
Supporting Bilingual Education for Early Learners
The Education Development Center published a best practice checklist for supporting emergent bilingual children. The checklist recommends three main areas to emphasize when helping early learners thrive and succeed in speaking multiple languages:
- Supporting use of home languages: Encourage children to use their home language in class and pre-read bilingual books. Allowing children to respond in their most comfortable language also helps with comprehension.
- Valuing home cultures: Including stories, traditions, songs and customs in the children’s home language helps support and enrich the classroom learning experience.
- Specific teaching strategies: Visual learning aids, such as photos, graphics, illustrations and objects, can help children make connections between vocabulary in both languages. This approach is especially helpful in small groups. Songs and rhymes in English and the home language support language learning. Young children also benefit from hands-on learning, including play-based activities.
Becoming a Bilingual/Biliteracy Certified Teacher With an Online Degree From Texas State University
Those who want to accelerate professional growth and earn an online bachelor’s degree in bilingual education have a pathway. They can enroll in Texas State University’s B.S. in Education – Applied Bilingual/Biliteracy Education; Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Through Grade Six Core Subjects with Bilingual-Spanish; Instructional Aide Pathway online program.
Students in this program learn to demonstrate fluency in both English and Spanish, including oral, written and cultural aspects. Through courses such as Biliteracy Development for Emergent Bilingual Learners, students are better able to incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices to address the needs of diverse learners and understand the principles of language acquisition and development, particularly for second-language learners.
Learn more about Texas State University’s online B.S. in Education — Applied Bilingual/Biliteracy Education program.
