Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education - Bilingual/Bicultural Teacher Education (English-Spanish)

Focusing on the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures, the Elementary Education-Bilingual/Bicultural Teacher Education program at Illinois State prepares future teachers for state approval or endorsement to teach in bilingual elementary classrooms. Students will be prepared for a professional educator's license in grades 1-6.

Candidates for this program experience a yearlong Professional Development School (PDS) internship in a bilingual classroom in Chicago, Elgin, Palatine, or Wheeling. Graduates of the program are certified to teach in Spanish/English-bilingual elementary classrooms, English-speaking elementary classrooms, and often have a minor in Spanish or English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.

Coursework in elementary education provides individuals with required licensure and also the background to understand the concepts and structure of teaching in elementary schools. The program prepares individuals to teach reading, writing, science, mathematics, life skills, critical thinking skills, and problem solving strategies to elementary school students. This is a competitive major at Illinois State University and is a well respected program.