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Post-Baccalaureate Certification In World Language Teaching Grades 7-12

The following information is a summary of requirements for Post-Baccalaureate certification in world language teaching, State of Connecticut, grades 7-12. Please download, read, and refer to the full official requirements in the Post-bacc WL-Cert Student Handbook (pdf). To inquire further about the program or to set up the initial department interview (see below), please contact the Coordinator of World Language Teacher Certification, Dr. Jesse Gleason.

Summary of Requirements

The world language certification program at Southern is based on the C.A.L.L. developed by the College of Education, and uses a four-gate system. In addition, program progress, coursework, and student teaching are assessed using ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language), InTASC (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium), and CCCL (Connecticut Common Core of Learning) professional development standards.

C.A.L.L. is an acronym which stands for Collaborating, Applying, Leading and Learning. Each certification candidate must pass through a set of four gates to complete his/her certification program; these gates consist of:

  1. Entry into the certification program

  2. Midpoint evaluation in the program

  3. Pre-student teaching in the program

  4. Completion of the program

Gate 1: Entry into the certification program

  • Course Requirements: 24 credit hours of the target world language (including from previous degrees) or passing ACTFL OPI and WPT tests in world language at an advanced high proficiency level (http://www.languagetesting.com)

  • Overall GPA Requirements (from previous coursework): 3.0

  • CT Praxis Core Exam: pass (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2613&q=321260) or waiver (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/Cert/certform/ed_192.pdf), or ACT/SAT, or GRE

  • Two Letters of Recommendation, one from WL professor or teacher

  • Admission Essay

  • Department Interview with WL Certification faculty, leading to application to the College of Education

Gate 2: Midpoint evaluation in the program

  • Course Requirements: EDU 200, EDU 316, EDU 471, RDG 470, SED 482, HIS 110 or 112, SHE 203, WLL 211 & WLL 403 (C or higher)

  • Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0

Gate 3: Pre-student teaching in the program

  • Course Requirement: WLL 491 (including lab, semester immediately preceding student teaching)

  • Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0

  • Application for student teaching 

Gate 4: Program completion

  • Course Requirements: WLL 452 (Student Teaching), WLL 453

  • Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0

  • Student Teaching with cooperating teacher; three successful observations by supervisor

  • Completed EdTPA portfolio

  • Program completion, leading to official State of Connecticut certification