French, BSE

World Language Education Program (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish Majors and Minors)

The undergraduate World Language Education Program, including the French major and minor, was suspended in the fall of 2020 and will be discontinued at the undergraduate level as of fall 2023. A new, graduate-level program in World Language Education is under development and will provide teacher certification in these languages. Contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction,[email protected], regarding the status of this new program.

The information included here in the Guide is still provided as a resource for admitted undergraduate students.

The mission of the World Language Education (WLE) program is (1) to promote a community-based approach to world language instruction; (2) to educate teachers who understand different cultures, are proficient in their languages, routinely visit other countries, and can build bridges across nations, races, socioeconomic groups, cultures, and languages; and (3) to certify teachers who are prepared to serve the global needs of increasingly multicultural and multilingual schools and are strongly committed to act for a world in which shared understanding through conflict resolution, negotiation, and communication are guiding principles.

There is a growing need for multilingual teachers from diverse backgrounds. The WLE faculty encourages qualified applicants from under-represented groups to apply for admissions to the program.

The objectives of the K12 WLE program are

• to provide a philosophy of action designed to promote thoughtful curriculum development and classroom teaching in WLE;
• to provide regular contacts with the global community and in-service teachers in schools through field evenings, workshops, conferences, and other professional meetings;
• to provide clinical settings which enhance opportunities for beginning teachers to develop skillful practice and build bridges across languages, cultures, races, and nationalities;
• to help student teachers use multilingual educational technologies and document their experiences in electronic portfolios and implement research-based practices in their teaching;
• to provide university instructors and supervisors who are well-versed in WLE, who have an international orientation, and who are both approachable and helpful to student teachers.

Program majors include Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin,and Spanish, and may also include Italian and Portuguese if field placements are available in these subject areas. Completion of the WLE program leads to a bachelor of science degree in education with a major in the specific subject area. Wisconsin state licensing regulations require that students are licensed to teach at the early childhood through adolescence (approximately kindergarten through high school) levels.

Oral and written examinationsare required for all world language teacher candidates enrolled in Wisconsin educator preparation programs, as is an extensive immersion experience. (Students becoming certified to teach Latin are exempt from both the Oral Proficiency Exam and immersion experience requirement.)

1. In Semester 1, prior to starting student teaching, students must have acquired Intermediate High proficiency in their target language on the ACTFL OPI scale as measured by two independent external evaluators.
2. In Year 1, student teachers must demonstrate the ability to teach in a K-8 context, as evaluated by their University supervisor and their mentor teacher through repeated direct observations.
3. During their content courses, students must meet (a) teacher education standards; and (b) ACTFL standards, as measured by (a) formative and summative evaluation of their assignments; (b) Teacher Education portfolio.
4. In Year 2, student teachers must demonstrate the ability to teach in a 6-12 school context, as evaluated by their University supervisor and their cooperating teacher through repeated direct observations.
5. To get certified by the Department of Public Instruction, at the end of Year 2, student teachers must have successfully completed an EdTPA Portfolio of their classroom experiences that demonstrates professionalism and meets the EdTPA standards, as evaluated by external evaluators.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

French Education Advising

Consult with advising staff in the School of Education Student Services office, Room 139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, for general questions regarding certification to teach French. Current students should schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Appointments can also be made through email at [email protected], by calling 608-262-1651, or in person once the office has reopened. Students may want to consult an undergraduate advisor in the French and Italian department regarding course sequencing and other aspects of this field of study.

Dedicated to supporting and promoting student success, the School of Education Student Services office coordinates a number of student-related services for prospective and current School of Education students in all programs. Student Services staff offer support in academic advising, career advising, mentoring and advocacy for underrepresented and international students, requirements monitoring, interpreting academic policy, and more. Students in the School of Education are encouraged to make Student Services a vital part of their academic and employment journey.

To schedule an appointment: Call 608-262-2651, email [email protected], or stop by 139 Education Building when the office reopens. Current students can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW.

Career Advising in the School of Education

The School of Education Career Center provides students with the knowledge needed for connecting their classroom experiences with real-world application. Through individual appointments, events, and online resources, the Career Center provides students and alumni with the tools needed to be successful in their career development. From building resumes, conducting job and internship searches, developing interview skills, and negotiation strategies, the Career Center provides a foundation for developing the essential skills for the ever-changing world of work.  

Students can set up their profile on Handshake, the campus online career management system, to find open internships, jobs, and career events.  

Current School of Education students can make an appointment with a Career and Internship Advisor by logging into Starfish from the MyUW dashboard and selecting a day and time that works best with their schedule.

School of Education Alumni can schedule an appointment by completing the appointment request form.

For more information, visit the School of Education Career Center website or reach out at