The purpose of the Education Department Bilingual Educator Endorsement (BEE) program is to prepare teachers, administrators, and school service professionals who hold an Illinois Professional Educators License to meet the state endorsement requirements for the BEE. The BEE certificate will prepare teachers to teach in Bilingual classrooms in which instruction is provided in English and the students’ home language. The coursework in this certificate is specifically aligned to meet the linguistics, development, education, methods, and cultural content requirements of the state endorsements including electives and a BEE practicum experience. The Education Department believes that these endorsements are of particular importance as the number of Bilingual students in Illinois is projected to continue to rise, and there is a declared Bilingual teacher shortage. The BEE certificate will prepare teachers who have tested as proficient in a foreign language to teach in bilingual settings.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Program Core
EDUC 220	Theoretical Foundations of 2nd Language Acquisition and Learning	3
EDUC 221	Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL in PK-12	3
EDUC 222	Methods & Materials for Teaching ESL in PK-12 Bilingual	3
EDUC 223	Assessment of the Second Language Learner	3
EDUC 224	Cross Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited English Proficient Students	3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
EDUC 225	Bilingual and ESL Practicum	3
Total Hours		18

Pathway

Admission Requirements:

• Undergrad degree holders 
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Pass Target Language Proficiency test through ISBE