Imagine you’re in third grade, starting your first day of school. You probably feel nervous. Will your teacher be nice? Where will you sit? Will the other kids talk to you? Imagine you don’t speak the same language as your new teacher or classmates. You might feel terrified, not knowing what to do and being unable to ask for help.

Now, imagine a whole different experience. You arrive on the first day of school, greeted by a teacher who looks like you and welcomes you in a language you understand. Meeting your new bilingual teacher might help calm those first-day jitters. You might feel more confident knowing you can easily ask for help and learn the routines. 

You can become that bilingual teacher who makes a lasting difference. 

Bilingual education means students learn in two languages: their native language and English. Students who learn English on top of their first language are called English learners. 

In the United States, more than 10 percent of students are English learners. That's about 5 million kids! Around 75 percent of these students speak Spanish. Other common languages are Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Russian. (1)(2)

Students need bilingual teachers to help them get the most out of school. A big need for bilingual teachers means a big opportunity for you!

As a bilingual teacher, you'll do everything a regular classroom teacher does: Create lesson plans, grade papers and help students learn. You might teach part of the day in English and part in another language. You might focus on one age group or work with students in many grades to support their English learning.

Bilingual educators make a big difference in students’ lives by honoring their native languages, culture and traditions. You get to help students connect what they already know to new learning. You have a chance to show students they are not lacking in skills—they’re doubling their skills because they already know one language! 

For example, third grader Andrea Linette Rodriguez is a member of a dual-language class taught in English and Spanish. She won first place in the National Association for Bilingual Education 2023 Being Bilingual Essay Competition. (5)

In her award-winning essay, Andrea described her pride in being able to communicate in both languages,

“I am from both sides of the border. There are no stories or words I can’t understand because I’m bilingual.”

Andrea’s essay even gained the attention of Texas Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz who visited Sanchez Elementary to congratulate Andrea and honor her achievement.

Research shows bilingual education programs positively impact academic achievement, including learning English. But the benefits extend beyond the classroom. Bilingual education also helps students:

• Improve skills in both their first language and English.
• Build self-esteem, confidence and a sense of belonging. 
• Improve problem-solving, perseverance and collaboration skills. 
• Find more employment opportunities and earn more as adults. (3)

Yes! More than half of states have shortages, especially those that serve the most English learners. (4) This means that as a bilingual teacher, you’ll have a lot of opportunities and jobs to choose from. 

Many states also offer incentives, bonuses and extra pay for bilingual teachers. As the number of English learners increases, the need for teachers increases too.

The requirements will depend on your state, but here are a few steps you’ll take. 

1. Decide the age group and subject you want to teach. The greatest need is in early elementary grades, but you can also teach middle or high school. 
2. Qualify for a bilingual education program. Most programs require you to take a proficiency test in your second language before you can enroll. 
3. Earn your bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate. Some states or programs offer a degree in bilingual education, while other states require you to have a certificate in another subject first, like elementary education or English Language Arts. Be sure to check out your state’s requirements for becoming a certified bilingual teacher.        
4. Take any required tests. You’ll have to show what you know by taking a subject test. 
5. Apply for your teaching certificate from the state. 

Consider becoming a bilingual teacher if you want to make a big impact. You will need to be fluent in the two languages you want to teach and be able to demonstrate your proficiency. In other words, you will need to be bilingual to become a certified bilingual teacher. 

As written by third grader Andrea Rodriguez, “I’m proud to be bilingual because I have a stronger voice I can use to change the world.” Whether you’re in high school thinking about a career path, already have some work experience or are changing careers, students need you.

1. National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). English Learners in Public Schools. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 7, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgf. 
2. Najarro, I. (2023, March 20). The debate over English learner terminology, explained. Education Week.  https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-debate-over-english-learner-terminology-explained/2023/03 
3. Porter, L., Cano, M. V., & Umansky, I. (2023, June 15). Bilingual education and America’s future: Evidence and pathways. The Civil Rights Project.    https://civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/language-minority-students/bilingual-education-and-americas-future-evidence-and-pathways 
4. Torre Gibney, D., Kelly, H., Rutherford-Quach, S., Ballen Riccards, J. & Parker, C. (2021). Addressing the bilingual teacher shortage. CCNetwork. https://www.compcenternetwork.org/sites/default/files/2.%20Addressing%20the%20bilingual%20teacher%20shortage_Acc.pdf
5. Yañez, A. (2023, January 15). McAllen ISD third-grader wins national essay contest. https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/mcallen-isd-third-grader-wins-national-essay-contest/