Utah State University offers the coursework and field experiences required for a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) endorsement. The endorsement itself is granted by the Utah State Board of Education, but undergraduate students can apply for the endorsement when they apply for the Professional Educator License upon successful completion of their program. Eligible languages include: Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Portuguese, and Russian. The endorsement is available to:
- University students seeking undergraduate degrees in elementary or secondary education (with licensure)
- University students enrolled in the Master’s program in the School of Teacher Education & Leadership and currently have a Utah Professional Educator License
- Licensed teachers who are currently teaching in a DLI school in Utah
Language Proficiency Tests
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI/OPIc)
- An OPI or OPIc score of Advanced-Mid, are required to earn the DLI Endorsement through the Utah State Board of Education. Instructions for taking the OPI.
- Pre-service teachers may enter the DLI endorsement program with a minimum of an Advanced-Low score on the OPI or OPIc. To continue their language development during the program, students may need to take university-level courses in the target language of instruction (beyond grammar courses), or they may pursue a rigorous study abroad program. It is recommended that students take the language proficiency tests as soon as they return from an experience abroad or complete advanced language coursework.
- An Advanced-Mid score on the OPI is required for the field experience hours. Thus, we recommend students achieve this score (or higher) as soon as possible.
- Practicing teachers who are already teaching in DLI schools while earning the endorsement are expected to enter the program having passed the OPI/OPIc and WPT at a level of Advanced-Mid or higher.
The endorsement requires the courses listed below. All courses must be completed with C grades or higher.
Coursework for Pre-Service Teachers (Undergraduates)
The DLI endorsement consists of 17 credits, including 15 credits of classroom-based coursework (5 classes) and 2 credits of field experience working in a DLI classroom.
Foundations of DLI: 3 credits
- LING 4700: Foundations of Dual Language Immersion Education – 3 credits (spring semester only) LING 5400 (and the co-requisite field experience) are desired prerequisites for LING 4700.
Elective: 3 credits
- Choice of one elective after consultation with advisor.
- TEAL 5735*: Language Systems, Acquisition, and Instruction for English Learners - 3 credits
- SPAN 5060: El español oral y escrito en el mundo académico y profesional - 3 credits
- SPAN 4200: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics - 3 credits
Second Language Acquisition, Teaching Methods, & Assessment: 9 credits
While completing the courses listed below, students are required to apply what they are learning in the corequisite field experiences associated with each course.- LING 5400: Teaching Modern Languages – 3 credits (fall semester only) + 1 credit field experience (see below)
- TEAL 4770*: ESOL Instructional Strategies in the Content Areas – 3 credits (spring semester only) + 0.5 credit field experience (see below)
- TEAL 4780*: Assessment for Language Learners - 3 credits (spring semester only) + 0.5 credit field experience (see below)
Field Experience: 2 credits
Pre-Service teachers must complete 2 credits of field experience in a DLI classroom. An OPI/OPIc score of Advanced-Mid or higher and passing a USBE background check are required to complete the field experiences.
- 1 Credit field experience to take with LING 5400
- LING 3300/4300: Clinical Experience Dual Immersion Classroom - 1 credit (fall semester only) OR TEAL 4790*: ESOL Field Experience – 1 credit
- 1 Credit of TEAL 4790*: ESOL Field Experience
- 5 credit with TEAL 4770 and 0.5 credit with TEAL 4780
*Courses with title changes effective 2024-2025.
Student Teaching for Pre-Service Teachers
Pre-service teachers who have achieved an Advanced-Mid score on the OPI or OPIc and WPT are strongly encouraged to complete a portion of the student teaching experience in a dual language immersion classroom. The Advanced-Mid OPI/OPIc and WPT scores must be submitted with the student teaching application made to the Office of Field Experience in TEAL. A student whose language development is not yet at the Advanced-Mid level will student teach in an English-speaking classroom and may apply for the DLI endorsement upon demonstrating the necessary language proficiency.
Coursework for Licensed Teachers & Graduate Students
The DLI endorsement consists of 17 credits, including 15 credits of classroom-based coursework (5 classes) and 2 credits of clinical experience working in a DLI classroom. Teachers who are already teaching DLI will complete their field credits by applying course concepts to their teaching practice within their own classrooms.
Foundations of DLI: 3 credits
- LING 6700: Foundations of Dual Language Immersion Education – 3 credits (spring semester only). LING 5400 (and the co-requisite field experience) are desired pre-requisites for LING 6700.
Elective: 3 credits
- Choice of one elective after consultation with advisor.
- TEAL 5735*: Language Systems, Acquisition, and Instruction for English Learners - 3 credits
- SPAN 5060: El español oral y escrito en el mundo académico y profesional - 3 credits
- SPAN 6200: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics - 3 credits
- SCED 5100: Motivation and Classroom Management-3 credits (Secondary)
- ELED 5105: Motivation and Classroom Management -3 credits (Elementary)
Second Language Acquisition, Teaching Methods & Assessment: 9 Credits
While completing the courses listed below, students are required to apply what they are learning in the co-requisite field experiences associated with each course.
- LING 5400: Teaching Modern Languages – 3 credits (fall semester only) + 1 credit clinical (see below)
- TEAL 6770*: ESOL Instructional Strategies in the Content Areas – 3 credits (spring semester only) + 0.5 credit field experience (see below)
- TEAL 6780*: Assessment for Language Learners- 3 credits (spring semester only) + 0.5 credit field experience (see below)
Field Experience: 2 Credits
In-Service teachers must complete 2 credits of supervised field experience in a DLI classroom. An OPI/OPIc score of Advanced-Mid or higher is required to complete the field experiences.
- 1 Credit clinical to take with LING 5400
- LING 3300/4300: Clinical Experience Dual Immersion Classroom - 1 credit (fall semester only) OR TEAL 6790*: ESOL Field Experience – 1 credit
- 1 Credit of TEAL 6790*: ESOL Field Experience
- 5 credit with TEAL 6770 and 0.5 credit with TEAL 6780
*Courses with title changes effective 2024-2025.
For more information, contact:
TEAL Advisement Center
(435) 797-0391