COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Division of Teacher Education and Licensure
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRE-K-12
  1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in a foreign language; or
  2. Completed specific endorsement requirements indicated below:
    a. A major in the specific foreign language or 30 semester hours above the intermediate level in the foreign language. The courses shall include advanced grammar and composition, conversation, culture and civilization, and literature.
    b.A minimum of 3 semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels.
  3. Native speakers or candidates who have learned a foreign language without formal academic credit in a college or university must complete the following requirements:
    (a) Achieved a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, if English is not the native language. Native speakers of English are exempt from this test;
    (b) Achieved a composite score at or above the 50th percentile on the listening, speaking, reading, writing, civilization and culture sections of the Modern Language Association Proficiency Test for Teachers and Advanced Students. No individual section score shall be below the 25th percentile; and
    (c) Earned a minimum of 3 semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels from an accredited college or university in the United States.

    ENDORSEMENT IN A SECOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE

    Individuals who hold an endorsement in one foreign language may obtain an endorsement in a second foreign language by completing 24 semester hours of course work above the intermediate level in the second foreign language. The course work shall include courses in advanced grammar and composition, conversation, culture and civilization, and literature.

"Individuals applying for an initial license through the alternate route as prescribed by the Board of Education must meet the following criteria to be eligible to request experiential learning credits in lieu of the coursework for the endorsement (teaching) content area":

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
  • Have atleast five years of documented full-time work experience that may include
    specialized training related to the endorsement sought; and
  • Have met qualifying score on the content knowledge assessment prescribed by the Board of Education.