The World Languages minor is designed for individuals who wish to earn a Wisconsin teaching certification to teach a foreign language. Students wishing to pursue this certification must be in the process of obtaining or already have an initial certification.

Requirements

Students wishing to pursue this certification must be in the process of obtaining or already have an initial certification.

Language Content Area

Complete total credits in chosen language, plus any prerequisites.

American Sign Language
EXCEDUC 301American Sign Language I3
EXCEDUC 302American Sign Language II3
EXCEDUC 303American Sign Language III3
EXCEDUC 304American Sign Language IV3
EXCEDUC 305American Sign Language V3
EXCEDUC 306American Sign Language VI3
EXCEDUC 330Deaf History3
EXCEDUC 346Skill Development: Semantics3
EXCEDUC 352American Deaf Culture3
EXCEDUC 510Classifiers3
Total Credits30
Chinese
CHINESE 101First Semester Chinese5
CHINESE 102Second Semester Chinese5
CHINESE 201Third Semester Chinese5
CHINESE 202Fourth Semester Chinese5
CHINESE 301Fifth Semester Chinese4
CHINESE 302Sixth Semester Chinese4
Select one of the following:3
Contemporary Chinese Societies through Film
Seventh Semester Chinese
Eighth Semester Chinese
Total Credits31
French
FRENCH 103First-Semester French4
FRENCH 104Second-Semester French4
FRENCH 203Third-Semester French3
FRENCH 204Fourth-Semester French3
FRENCH 303Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level3
FRENCH 332Reading French Texts3
Complete 9 credits of 300-level or higher French electives.9
Total Credits29
German
GERMAN 101First-Semester German4
GERMAN 102Second-Semester German4
GERMAN 203Third-Semester German3
GERMAN 204German in Your Field and Beyond3
GERMAN 331German Grammar in Practice3
GERMAN 332Presentation and Composition3
GERMAN 333Texts and Contexts3
GERMAN 334Introduction to German Studies3
Complete 9 credits of 300-level or higher German electives.9
Total Credits35
Hebrew
Consult with a faculty or academic advisor regarding courses.18
Total Credits18
Italian
ITALIAN 103First-Semester Italian4
ITALIAN 104Second-Semester Italian4
ITALIAN 203Third-Semester Italian3
ITALIAN 204Fourth-Semester Italian3
ITALIAN 311Advanced Conversation and Composition: Contemporary Italian Usage3
ITALIAN 312Contemporary Italian Language and Culture3
Complete 12 credits of 300-level or higher Italian electives.12
Total Credits32
Latin
LATIN 103First Semester Latin4
LATIN 104Second Semester Latin4
LATIN 205Third Semester Latin4
Complete 9 credits of 300-level or higher Latin electives.9
Complete 3 credits of 300-level or higher Latin or Classic electives.3
Total Credits24
Russian
Consult with a faculty or academic advisor regarding courses.18
Total Credits18
Spanish
SPANISH 103First-Semester Spanish4
SPANISH 104Second-Semester Spanish4
SPANISH 203Third-Semester Spanish3
SPANISH 204Fourth-Semester Spanish3
SPANISH 308Advanced Writing and Reading3
SPANISH 318Advanced Speaking and Listening3
or SPANISH 319 Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers
SPANISH 341Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics3
Select two of the following:6
Survey of Hispanic Literature and Civilization
Survey of Spanish-American Literature and Civilization
Survey of Spanish Literature and Civilization
Seminar in Spanish Literature:
Seminar in Spanish-American Literature:
Seminar in Hispanic Literature:
Seminar on Cervantes:
Seminar in Modern Spanish Literature and Civilization:
Complete 3 credits of 300-level or higher Spanish electives.3
Total Credits32

Professional Education Requirements1

CURRINS 542History and Politics of Second Language Education3
CURRINS 637
CURRINS 437
World Language Methods and Materials
and Student Teaching in World Language- Minor: 2
6
CURRINS 445Seminar in Language Education 33
Total Credits12
1

A grade of C or better is required for all professional education requirements, including student teaching. Prerequisites may be required.

2

Concurrent enrollment in these courses is required.
Students must complete paperwork in order to be assigned a student teaching placement. To be approved for placement, additional criteria must be met. See Benchmarks for details.

3

Not required for students who are currently completing a portfolio in their major certification

Additional Requirements for Certification

  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all professional education courses. This includes any transfer coursework that is counted towards certification at UWM, as well as grades earned in student teaching or field experiences.
  • Undergraduate students must meet the graduation requirements for their primary certification.
  • Program Portfolio - based on the 10 WI Teacher Standards.

Benchmarks

Student Teaching

Prior to requesting/being assigned a student teaching placement, students must:

  • Demonstrate Foreign Language Proficiency - A minimum score of Intermediate-High on the ACTFL OPI or equivalent is required prior to student teaching placement. Submit scores from your language proficiency test to your academic advisor.
  • Complete an Immersion Experience - Required for all prospective language teachers, this requirement must be met by spending a semester or a year in a country where the chosen major language is spoken. Submit documentation of immersion experience to your academic advisor prior to student teaching placement.
  • Complete and submit an application. Deadlines for submission are posted by the Office of Clinical Experiences.

To be approved, students must ALSO meet the following criteria:

  • Be admitted to the School of Education
  • Complete all required coursework. An exception to allow a student to take a course concurrently with student teaching requires approval by the student's faculty advisor.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all undergraduate coursework, including transfer courses.
  • Have a minimum 2.75 GPA in all content area and professional education courses.
  • Passing scores reflected on your transcript for the Praxis II exam: English to Speakers of Other Languages: Content Knowledge #5361.
  • Removal of all F and/or I (incomplete) grades.
  • TB test results submitted to the Office of Clinical Experiences (may take up to 6 weeks).
  • Criminal Background Check submitted to the Office of Clinical Experience

Undergraduate Advising

Our purpose is to provide collaborative, mentoring relationships which promote educational, career, and professional development. We value a student-centered, holistic, and ethical approach to advising based on strong partnerships with students, faculty and staff, and the larger campus community. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment. We encourage students to be self-reliant through informed decisions and choices based upon dissemination of accurate information. We value our own continuous professional development to enhance the quality of the advising experience.

How to Prepare for an Advising Meeting

  • Review your Advisement Report in PAWS.
  • Come prepared with questions or topics for discussion.
  • Make a list of courses you think you should take.
  • Investigate opportunities to prepare for the job you want.
  • Keep a record of your academic progress.
  • Understand you are ultimately responsible for creating your educational, life, and career plans.
  • Maintain honest and open communication with your advisor.
  • Take responsibility for choices you make as a student and member of the UW-Milwaukee community.

Scheduling an Appointment

Office of Student Services
Enderis Hall, Room 209
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu

Graduate Advising

If you are a School of Education graduate student, you may schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor by contacting your faculty advisor directly. Faculty contact information can be found in the People Directory. Your faculty advisor will be listed in your PAWS account.