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Teacher Programs

Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century

Unfortunately, the UW STARTALK Teacher Program was not funded this year due to government budget cuts. We hope to apply for funding again next year, so please check back for updates. We would also recommend Seattle's STARTALK Teacher Program at PLU if you are interested in teacher certification in Arabic, Korean, Russian, or Spanish.

Please check back for news on Summer, 2022.

Email startalk@uw.edu if you have any specific questions.

When?

Summer, 2022 (There will be no program in Summer, 2021) TBD (also, Grant Approval Dependant)

Information about Startalk Teacher Program:

The STARTALK Teacher Program, “Preparing Language Teachers for the 21st Century,” will prepare 10 native (or near native) speakers of Russian, Arabic, or Spanish to teach in a standards and content-based program, focused on developing communicative proficiency and accuracy in students learning these languages. Teachers will be able to work toward obtaining a P-12 World Language Endorsement for teaching these languages in Washington K-12 public schools. The program is designed to teach them the STARTALK principles and standards-based language teaching and curriculum development, as well as the content knowledge needed to pass the Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsement (WEST-E) for World Languages. The program also provides scholarship assistance to complete the required assessments (WEST-E and ACTFL OPIc and WPT). This Teacher Program has a special focus on integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into language instruction to prepare teachers to work effectively with today’s students. In 2020, the program will offer six UW credits of EDC&I 495 from the University of Washington College of Education.

Highlights:

  • 10 native (or near native) speakers of Russian, Arabic, or Spanish
  • 15 hours of pre-program online component
  • 10-day Intensive program for teachers, 6 hours a day, including 3 modules (total of 75 combined online and classroom hours)
  • One week of lesson planning and micro-teaching
  • 6 credits for EDC&I 495 from the UW College of Education
  • Standards and content-based program, focused on developing communicative proficiency and accuracy in heritage speakers of these languages
  • Emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Content knowledge to pass the Washington Educator Skills Test - Endorsement (WEST-E) WL
  • Scholarship assistance for required assessments (WEST-E and ACTFL OPIc and WPT)

UW Summer Quarter Registration Fee for the Teacher Program: $45

Program Director: Angelina McMillan-Major
Teacher Program Lead Instructor: Dr. Bridget Yaden

Consultants
Dr. Michele Anciaux Aoki
Dr. Eduardo Viana da Silva

Frequently Asked Questions

Testimonials:

Thank you very much for bringing the STARTALK program to Russian teachers. It was a wonderful learning experience. Every day was delightful to participate in the STARTALK program. I truly enjoyed the program, learned a lot, and realized that teaching and being part of teaching Russian is the only thing I want to do. I apply STARTALK principals all the time in all my teaching (not only language) and I see the difference and progress of my students' learning. Thank you!"

"My confidence in teaching the target language has increased. I got many helpful resources. All my teachers were amazing and professional."

"I liked the collaboration of all teacher participants and instructors of this program. I felt we were working as a team and learning together and from each other. I appreciate the resources that were introduced and feel confident to use them in my teaching."

Teacher Program Information: