A female world language teacher points out a country on a globe to a little girl as the rest of the class sits on the floor around them.

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) 

World Language Education

As a language teacher, you can have a direct impact on the ability of future generations to be more globally connected in the 21st century. Students who earn licensure will be able to teach in elementary (pre-K-8) or secondary (7-12) schools. World language teachers are in the highest demand compared to other educators during this worldwide teacher shortage.

Why study at BGSU in Ohio to become a world language teacher?

  • Valuable field experience. Observe and teach in PreK-12 classrooms from freshman to senior year.
  • Study abroad. Participate in multicultural student teaching experiences for a full academic year. Travel to Salzburg, Austria or Alcalá de Henares, on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain.
  • Strong exam prep. You’ll be well prepared to pass the professional exams that allows you to become a licensed world language teacher.
  • Experienced faculty. Undergraduates collaborate with faculty members, who are active researchers, and have even had their work published.
  • Active student organizations. BGSU has many international and multicultural student groups. You’ll have opportunities to be a leader, make new friends and build your resume.
  • World language learning communities. Learning communities are a great way to get involved on campus and grow as a student. You will live with and be supported by other students who are passionate about education or language and culture. Each community offers fun and educational activities.

    Learning Communities centered on education or world languages and cultures include:
    EDHD (College of Education and Human Development) Theme Community
    La Communidad Learning Community
    Global Village Learning Community

Career – what can you do with a world language education degree?

BGSU world language students receive valuable field experience as early as freshman year. Early classroom exposure gives you insight into the kind of teaching you want to pursue.

BGSU hosts one of the country’s largest teacher job fairs. It is sponsored by the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections.

Nearly 90% of BGSU world language education graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation.

Most BGSU graduates become world language teachers in the U.S., typically in the Midwest and Southeast. Some graduate and then live abroad, teaching English through the Fulbright program or other programs such as Teach for Spain. Others have continued their education, earning master’s degrees in linguistics or their world language.

Career paths

  • Primary or high school world language teacher
  • Teacher of English around the world
  • Online teacher
  • Peace Corps

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View Average Salaries

Curriculum

BGSU’s global language education program allows you to:

  • Enhance your existing language skills
  • Learn teaching theory
  • Teach in a classroom

Undergraduates are required to:

  • Specialize in one of eight languages
    • Chinese
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Latin
    • Russian
    • Spanish
  • Spend a full academic year abroad (Bilingual students with extensive life experience abroad may appeal this requirement.)
  • Take part in field and clinical teaching experiences
  • Take professional education courses

Required courses

BGSU students walk through campus holding international flags.

Sample courses

  • General and world language methods
  • Assessment
  • Disciplinary literacy
  • Educational technology

The world language teacher shortage

Dr. Brigid Burke, coordinator of BGSU’s world education program, has published her research on why there’s a shortage of world language teachers and proposed possible solutions.

Updated: 09/09/2024 04:22PM