The goal of Bilingual Education is not only to help students learn English but also to maintain and develop proficiency in their native language. This approach can help students succeed academically without sacrificing their cultural heritage. Additionally, it supports cognitive development and promotes the ability to think in multiple languages, which can provide cognitive and social benefits later in life.

Bilingual Education involves teaching academic content in two languages, one of which is usually the native language of the students, and the other is English.The proportion of the two languages used in instruction can vary. Some programs use both languages equally, while others use the native language just enough to facilitate the transition to all-English instruction.

In most cases, you need to first finish your bachelor's degree program and earn a state teaching license or certificate. Some bilingual teacher training programs will allow you to enroll while you're earning your bachelor's or master's degree, but many only accept applicants who are already teaching in classrooms. You also need to fluently speak a language other than English and be able to integrate culturally with populations who speak that language. You might need to take the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test in the language of your proficiency. If English is your second language, you might need to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be admitted to a bilingual teacher training program.

Each state's teacher licensing and certification regulations are different, but you might need to obtain a state bilingual teaching endorsement to be eligible for jobs. Bilingual teacher training programs are typically designed to fulfill your state's requirements.

At Parent Institute for Bilingual Education (PIBE.ORG), we believe in the power of collaboration. That's why our parent education programs are built upon the widely respected framework of Dr. Joyce Epstein, Director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Joyce Epstein's groundbreaking framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for fostering successful partnerships between schools and families.

This six-pronged approach, widely adopted by states and national organizations, outlines key areas for collaboration: 

• Parenting: Supporting children's learning and development at home.

• Communication: Building open and regular dialogue between school and home.

• Volunteering: Creating opportunities for parents to contribute to school life. 

• Learning at Home: Equipping parents to support academic growth outside the classroom.

• Decision Making: Involving parents in school governance and planning.

• Community Collaboration: Leveraging community resources to enhance student success.