Multilingual Learner Teaching

The Multilingual Learner Teaching Certificate of Achievement provides educators the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure full access and active participation of multilingual learners (MLs) in early learning settings. The 10-unit certificate requires 8 courses, each of which targets key concepts and competencies foundational to dual/multilingual learning and development, including but not limited to first and second language acquisition, cultural and contextual factors, teaching multilingual learners and supporting their families, and curriculum planning for multilingual children in early learning settings.

We anticipate an enrollment of approximately 20+ students in the first academic year for the certificate. This certificate is an optional area of specialization for the Early Childhood Education Program. 

This certificate is an optional area of specialization that can be combined with an ECE Certificate or degree. It also helps fulfill the professional development requirements for educational professionals. Career opportunities include: Paraprofessional (PreK-3rd grade); Early Childhood Assistant Educators; Early Childhood Educators with specialization in dual language learning; ML coach; ML professional development provider.

To earn the Multilingual Learner Teacher Certificate of Achievement, students must complete 10 specified units that equip them for educational positions working with and supporting young children who are multilingual learners.

This program will reside in the Business, Design and Workforce Division which offers certificates and degrees in Business, Accounting, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Digital Art and Animation, Paralegal Studies, Medical Assisting, and Education & Human Development.  Specifically, the MLTC will be a new certificate offered in Early Childhood, which is part of the Education and Human Development Department.  

Continuing challenges involving teacher shortage in Prek-12 as well as early care providers have necessitated the development of career pathways to facilitate and better train educational professionals.  The MLTC specifically supports those who work (or will work) with young children from multilingual backgrounds whose learning and developmental needs may require diverse scaffolding methods.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ECE. 254	Teaching in a Diverse Society	3	y1
ECE. 255	Multilingual Learners: Language and Literacy Development	1	y1
ECE. 271	Foundational Concepts in Multilingual Learning	1	y1
ECE. 273	Multilingual Learners: Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL)	1	y1
ECE. 280	Cultural Humility: Cultivating an Equity Mindset	1	y1
ECE. 362	Partnering with Families	1	y1
ECE. 364	Multilingual Practices in Action	1	y1
EDUC 300	Applied Inclusive Strategies	1	y1

We were unable to find anything in the area that was at all like this program. This is designed to help teachers of multilingual students who speak a variety of languages better understand and address those students' specific needs and the types of scaffolding required to help each of them learn. The closest we could find in most instances was bilingual and specifically referred to Spanish, and most tended to focus on students who were studying to become bilingual teachers instead of students who wanted to be better teachers of multilingual students.

We were unable to find any directly related programs, but sent an email to Professor Gallagher-Heil, chair/coordinator of ECE due to their having a tangentially related program. No response at this time, but it is summer.