Education – World Language Education

In applying for admission to the university, you may choose direct enrollment into the College of Education and Human Ecology as a major in the World Language Education program. 

Early in your program, you will explore your chosen career path through real-world experiences and seminars in the required First Education Experience Program (FEEP). During this service-learning course, you will spend meaningful time in partner pre-K-5 schools or other education settings. You will gain important insights into teaching and your career and will support young people’s academic growth.

You may take the course for either three or five credits — you will consult with your advisor about which is required for your degree choice. In the course, you will choose and complete a project that will immerse you in a hands-on activity serving students and the school.

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information at go.osu.edu/onground.

Students in the world language education major prepare to teach either French or Spanish in grades K–12. The components of this major have been designed to meet state and national standards, Ohio licensure requirements and General Education requirements at Ohio State. Students who have an elementary fluency in the language are not likely to meet the fluency level required for admission into the program.

The curriculum provides students with extensive opportunities for using the target language (French or Spanish) in combination with experiences that draw upon the cultures and texts of French- or Spanish-speaking communities. In pre-major courses, students experience, learn and reflect on effective pedagogy. This pathway emphasizes disciplinary content knowledge, educational foundations courses and pedagogy, and methods courses that focus on early exposure to child/adolescent development and psychological and social foundations of education.

The Global Option in Education and Human Ecology is an option for students in good academic standing on any Ohio State campus. In this program, students develop their ability to communicate with and work alongside individuals from other cultures through education abroad programs and globally themed course work. 

Teacher education is conceptualized as an apprenticeship with equal parts content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge and skill. Students will have field experiences in each year of the program, including one semester of full-time student teaching at the end of the program. Placements will include observation and teaching in both elementary and secondary (high school) settings. 

The Schools in Franklin county, particularly Columbus City Schools, are critical partners in teacher education at Ohio State. They provide placement sites for all Columbus campus students. 

The College of Education and Human Ecology Honors Program offers students rigorous course work and opportunities to work closely with faculty to design and complete a research project. Students in this program also have access to smaller classes, priority scheduling and unique housing opportunities. A significant outcome of the Honors Program is the high level of understanding gained in designing and conducting research studies and/or using and analyzing research findings and developing an understanding of the role of research in the expansion of knowledge in fields within human ecology.

Kappa Phi Kappa is a national professional co-ed fraternity in education. Kappa Phi Kappa connects members with development and career opportunities in education, informs members about education programs at Ohio State, introduces members to possible future colleagues, and helps support the Columbus community through service activities. 

EHE Peer Mentors engage in discussions with new first-year and transfer students about adjusting to Ohio State and college life, university resources, and how to understand university policies and procedures.

Graduates of the foreign language education program may seek either French or Spanish teaching positions in K–12 public and private schools not only to teach a second language, but also to introduce student to world cultures. Since the state of Ohio has high standards for teacher preparation, graduates could potentially be hired as teachers anywhere in the United States. Many opportunities also exist within the community and public sector as translators or tutors.  

On average, new teachers with no previous teaching experience can expect starting salaries of $36,000-$42,000 per year.

Through their course and field work, students will:

• Use their understanding of children’s and adolescents’ characteristics and needs and of multiple interacting influences on children’s and adolescents’ development and learning to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children and adolescents.
• Know about, understand and value the importance and complex characteristics of children’s and adolescents’ families and communities. 
• Know about and understand the goals, benefits and uses of assessment. 
• Integrate their understanding of and relationships with children/adolescents and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children and adolescents.
• Identify and conduct themselves as members of the foreign language teaching profession.