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Education (BA/BS)
Bilingual Grade EC-6

In today’s competitive and multilingual world, being bilingual can give students an advantage. As an educator, you can help prepare them by integrating both English and Spanish into their learning experiences.

Support Your Students for the Future

Develop an in-depth understanding of multicultural learning environments with our interdisciplinary studies bachelor's degree program. If you seek to become a bilingual teacher, who provides instruction in both Spanish and English, this program requires Spanish literacy. If you seek to become a bilingual teacher, who provides instruction in English, you do not need foreign language literacy.

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See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Bilingual Education

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Career Readiness

Experience the classroom environment through field-based training as you work alongside a bilingual teacher.

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World-Class Faculty

Collaborate with our acclaimed faculty to develop your skills and gain expertise.

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Education Centered

 Participate in small classes while experiencing one-on-one support and encouragement.  

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Cultivate Your Dream

Study the dynamic relationship between language, culture and education with our comprehensive program. 

Focus Your Passion

We offer a bilingual generalist bachelor's degree track to become a teacher of bilingual students:

Bilingual Generalist (EC-6)

Bring your language expertise to the classroom and immerse your students in various bilingual and content learning experiences. Our 120-credit hour program aims to prepare you for instruction in both English and Spanish. Completing this program and successfully passing the required TExES exams can lead to certification as a bilingual generalist in the state of Texas.

View Full Curriculum

Faculty Spotlight

Ana Castillo, M.Ed.

Faculty
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Laura Slay, Ph.D.

Faculty
I teach literacy methods courses that help teachers become great teachers. I particularly enjoy teac…
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Headshot of Kathryn Dixon, a woman with white skin and long red hair.

Kathryn Dixon, Ph.D.

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What You Will Learn

  • Participate in multicultural discussions with professors and peers.
  • Enhance your Spanish literacy skills as you prepare for a potential career as a Bilingual teacher.
  • Learn to teach English as a second language in an engaging way.
  • Take courses to explore classroom management and pedagogy.
  • Integrate cultural identity and heritage through instruction practices.

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Careers

Our bilingual teacher graduates are in high demand at local school districts. Many of our students pursue master's level coursework and often move into leadership or specialist positions on their campuses. Bilingual teachers frequently earn a stipend of $2,000 – $5,000 per year, depending on the district.

Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries

Elementary Teacher
$ 62,310
High School Teacher
$ 64,580

US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024

Potential Employers

Our graduates are frequently sought-after by local school districts. Job placement and satisfaction are ranked highly in our education program. Here are just a few districts where our students find employment. Discover where you belong!

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Commerce independent school district icon.
Dallas independent school district icon.
Garland independent school district icon.
Lovejoy independent school district icon.
Paris independent school district icon.
Prosper independent school district icon.
Rockwall independent school district icon.
Sulphur Spring independent school district icon.
Wylie independent school district icon.

Featured Courses

Bilingual Oral Language & Biliteracy Instruction BLED 402

Investigate theories, instructional approaches, curricula, texts, materials and assessment instruments used for oral language and literacy development in elementary bilingual classrooms.

Biliteracy in the Teaching Profession BLED 404

The course promotes language proficiency through learning scenarios designed to prepare bilingual teachers to use formal academic Spanish in bilingual and dual language instruction. This course is intended to provide students with a fundamental understanding of Spanish listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and opportunities to apply this knowledge to become competent users of Spanish for academic purposes. Class prepares students to take the BTLPT Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test–Spanish (TExES #190), required for the bilingual certification.

View full curriculum in the university catalog
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Course Delivery

Our flexible program offers face-to-face instruction at our main campus in Commerce and our extended university sites located at Dallas, Mesquite, and Navarro in Corsicana. Some courses are offered online.

As a Bilingual studies student, you have access to a wide range of scholarships specific to your degree.

Student Organizations

Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)

The Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) creates opportunities for future teachers to exchange ideas, practices, and gather information about all areas of education on a collegiate level with an emphasis on bilingual education. BESO strives to help its members develop support groups, grow professionally, network and serve the local community through volunteer activities.

Contact Ana Castillo for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I become a bilingual teacher or a Spanish teacher?

  • To answer that question, you will want to consider several factors. One factor is what age of students you would like to teach. Bilingual teachers typically teach students between 4-11 years old in elementary school; many Spanish teachers teach students 11-18 years olds in middle and high school.
  • Another key difference is the content. Bilingual teachers generally teach all content areas (language arts, math, science, and social studies) in Spanish (and sometimes English), while Spanish teachers focus on teaching Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and culture. In addition, bilingual teachers instruct native Spanish speakers who have advanced oral and sometimes written Spanish skills. Spanish teachers often teach native English speakers who have little or no knowledge of the Spanish language.
  • Lastly, bilingual teachers are in great demand as the number of ESL and bilingual students continues to grow. In fact, many districts are unable to hire qualified bilingual teachers. Texas alone had over 7,000 classroom bilingual positions they were unable to fill. By becoming a bilingual teacher, you can meet this need and have more choices in where you work.
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I don't know how to write well in Spanish, particularly when to write accent marks. Can I still become a bilingual teacher?

Many native Spanish speakers have well-developed oral language skills, but are growing in
literacy skills necessary for becoming a bilingual teacher. This may be the result of receiving all
or most of their education in English. Our bilingual education and Spanish courses will help you
to develop your literacy skills. To assess your Spanish proficiency, please take the university’s
Spanish placement exam right away. See the “Spanish” section of this FAQ for more information

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I speak Spanish, but I don't speak “proper” Spanish. Can I still become a bilingual teacher?

Most native speakers, also called heritage speakers, have excellent fluency and pronunciation.
Our bilingual education and Spanish courses are designed to build on your existing oral language
skills. To assess your Spanish proficiency, please take the university’s Spanish placement exam
right away. See the “Spanish” section of this FAQ for more information.

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I'm learning Spanish, but not a native speaker. Can I become a bilingual teacher?

It’s a definite possibility. To get started, take the Spanish placement test. Refer to the Spanish
requirements section for more information. This will determine which level of Spanish classes
you will take and if any additional Spanish classes are required besides those specified on the
degree plan. Additionally, it is helpful to immerse yourself in the language. This may mean
regularly conversing with Spanish speakers and/or studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking
country.

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I'm bilingual. I speak English and a language other than Spanish. Can I become a bilingual teacher?

That’s great that you are bilingual; this likely means you have learned a second language and so
can empathize with and better understand the process of acquiring additional languages.
Currently, however, the overwhelming majority of bilingual programs in Texas are for Spanish
speakers so we do not offer a program for EC-6 Bilingual Generalists except for those fluent in
Spanish. In our program, students take several courses that are conducted mostly or completely
in Spanish. For this reason, students who are bilingual in languages other than English and
Spanish cannot earn their EC-6 bilingual certification with us. However, they may obtain their
ESL certification.

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Should I earn my EC-6 Generalist certification and just add my EC-6 Bilingual certification later?

If you plan to be a bilingual teacher, it is strongly recommended that you take the classes on the
degree plan to best prepare you for the certification exams and for the later teaching of real life
Spanish-speaking children in a bilingual program. If you continue and graduate from the EC-6
Bilingual Generalist program, you can decide to take the EC-6 Bilingual certification exams
later; however, we highly recommend you take them before your residency and internship so that
the concepts studied in your classes are fresh in your mind. In addition, many districts, even if
they have a bilingual teaching vacancy, may require you to have the actual bilingual certificate in
hand before they can offer you a position.

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What are the benefits of becoming a bilingual teacher?

There are innumerable benefits to becoming a bilingual teacher! One advantage is that you will be able to teach in two languages and share two cultures, thereby meeting the needs of a growing population of learners. Another benefit is a deep satisfaction in being able to give back to your community. Still, other benefits may include a yearly stipend (the exact stipend varies from district to district).

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I've attended community college. How do I know which courses transfer?

You will begin by working with your department advisor. He or she can answer all your questions about what courses will transfer from your community college. In general, when you look at the plans, if the column entitled “Transfer Grade” is empty, that means there is an equivalent course at your community college that can be used for credit here. An example is the “TECA 1318” which is equivalent to our “HHPK 324.”

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Are there other resources available to help me strengthen my reading and writing abilities?

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I'm working on my EC-6 Bilingual Generalist certification. What certification exams do I need to take?

You will need to take the same tests as those required of non-bilingual teachers:

  • Pedagogy Professional Responsibilities (PPR) (160)
  • EC-6 Core Subjects test (291)

You will also need to take two tests specific to bilingual education:

  • Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) (190)
  • Bilingual Supplemental (164)
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When can I take the BTLPT?

We recommend you take the exam right after taking BLED 402, BLED 403 and your Spanish courses, but before your residency and internship.

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What do I need to do be eligible to take the Bilingual Supplemental?

For students requesting approval after January 1, 2020:

  • Pass the EC-6 Generalist PPR and Core Subjects test
  • Pass BLED 401 prior to requesting permission to take the Bilingual Supplemental.
  • Document 20+ hours of Bilingual Supplemental Certify Teacher practice to your bilingual/ESL advisor. Please use discount code: TEXES4728
  • Earn a passing score on your Bilingual Supplemental Certify Teacher practice exam.
    • Email items B and C to your corresponding advisor
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How do I register for the Bilingual Supplemental and/or BTLPT exams?

Contact your academic and bilingual advisor to request to take the exams. If your coursework requirements have been fulfilled, you and your advisor will work with the office of Educator Certification and Academic Services to register you.

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What resources do you recommend to help me prepare for the BTLPT?

Here are some recommended resources:

  • Certify Teacher online BTLPT test prep ($80)
  • BTLPT practice interactive exam, test prep manual and other resources (resources are free, but there is $10 fee if you choose to take the interactive practice exam). Note: This resource may be integrated into coursework.
  • BTLPT prep books on Amazon (various prices)
  • T-Cert (free for ETAMU students) Note: This resource may be integrated into coursework.
    • Instructions for accessing the online modules
      • Go to https://pact.tarleton.edu/tcert/
      • Click the “Subscribe” option.
      • Click the option which indicates you are attending an A&M System school and select “East Texas A&M University.”
      • Submit your first name, last name, and ETAMU email address. A verification code will be sent to your university email address within 2-3 business days.
      • Use your verification code to subscribe to T-CERT. When you subscribe, you will select a user ID and password.
      • Use your ID and password to login to T-CERT.
      • Select the option to add modules. Select the BTLPT module.
  • Blog with BTLPT Tips
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What resources do you recommend to help me prepare for the Bilingual Supplemental exam?

I'm a teaching aide. How do I earn my bilingual certification?

Those who are teaching aides can obtain their certificate in one of two ways: 1) Through the regular elementary teacher preparation program which requires about one year of education courses and one year of student teaching (one-semester internship and one-semester residency) or 2)
through the aide program which allows you to do your internship and residency (often during the same semester) while remaining in your teacher aide position. You will need to work in a bilingual classroom with a bilingual teacher mentor for at least part of your job responsibilities. Speak to your departmental advisor to see if you qualify for participation in the aid program.

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How do I earn my ESL certification?

  • An EC-6 Bilingual Generalist teaching certificate qualifies you for general education, bilingual, or ESL teaching assignment. You do not need a separate ESL certificate if you have a bilingual one.
  • If you are not in the EC-6 Bilingual Generalist program, the regular EC-6 Generalist degree plan contains the ESL-infused courses that will help prepare you for the ESL Supplemental exam. You should take the English as a Second Language Supplemental exam (154) after you have completed your coursework and taken and passed the PPR and Core Subjects test.
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Who can join?

B.E.S.O. is open to all East Texas A&M University students, not just those working on degrees related to bilingual and ESL education.

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What is B.E.S.O.?

B.E.S.O. is the Bilingual and English as a Second Language Student Organization. It advocates for bilingual and ESL students to promote various languages and cultures in the classroom.

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What are the benefits of joining?

B.E.S.O. provides passionate students with opportunities to grow as emerging bilingual/ESL professionals. In turn, this demonstrates to future employers your commitment to the educational field in general and to your own growth in particular. It also distinguishes you from your peers in interviews and prepares you for a thriving career.

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What kind of activities does the organization do?

B.E.S.O. provides several networks, professional development, and volunteering opportunities throughout the school year. Some activities include hearing from a Bilingual/ESL educator panel, attending regional and state conferences, and volunteering in local bilingual and ESL classrooms.

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How do I join?

There are two steps: complete and turn in the membership form and pay the dues ($10 for undergraduate and $20 for graduate students). Contact your bilingual advisor for the membership form.

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I don't live in Commerce. Can I still participate in the activities?

Yes, you may. When possible, our meetings are broadcast virtually to the Metroplex, McKinney, and Commerce campuses, and at times online, to accommodate students across the area.

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What can I do to ensure I am receiving the latest information regarding the bilingual program?

  • Keep your contact information up-to-date: Your department and academic advisor will make every effort to keep you up-to-date. However, in order for them to contact you, you will need to make sure that your contact information, both email address and phone number, is correct in MyLeo. Then, be sure to check your email regularly.
  • Respond to emails: From time to time, your advisors or other university faculty/staff may request information from you via email. This information is generally time sensitive. Therefore, please be sure to respond to any requests for information in a timely matter (generally no longer than 48 hours).
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Is there a social media page I can join to receive more information regarding opportunities for bilingual/ESL educators?

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Program Costs

Tuition and fees for undergraduate students taking 12 credit hours are $4,212 for Texas residents and $9,108 for non-residents.

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WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Alum Patricia Bazan Advisor for Education, Social Work, Sports Rec. Mgmt. & Human Services
Mackenzie Langston Advisor for Early Childhood Education, Education, & All-Level Special Education

Contact Us

  • Sowers Education South
  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011
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