Credentialing Routes for Mandarin Chinese Teachers in California

Presented by

Gay Q. Yuen, Ph.D.

Charter College of Education

California State University, Los Angeles

gyuen@calstatela.edu

California Basic Credentials

Multiple Subject

Single Subject

Special Education

Multiple Subject Credential

1. authorizes the holder to teach in a self- contained classroom

2. most often in elementary school settings

3. may be assigned to teach in any self- contained classroom (preschool, K–12, adults).

4. may serve in a core or team teaching setting

Single Subject Credential

1. authorizes the holder to teach a specific subject (Math, science, art, Mandarin).

2. most often in departmentalized classes such as in most middle and high schools.

3. may be assigned to teach the subject(s) at any grade level (preschool, grades K–12, or adults).

Required for All Candidates

Unless noted otherwise, all options require possession of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and passage of the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)All applicants for a California teaching authorization must complete a Character Identification and Clearance process which includes fingerprinting and a background check.

Single Subject Mandarin Authorization

The CSET exam is currently used to test for subject matter competency for Single Subject credentials.

Single Subjecty Mandarin Authorization

The CSET exam for foreign language teaching currently has 3 subtests:

1. General linguistics and linguistics of Chinese

2. Literary and cultural texts and traditions

3. Language (listening, speaking, reading, writing).

Adding Another Authorization

Adding a Single Subject authorization to an existing Multiple Subject Credential:

1. pass CSET in the subject area

2. Methodology course designed for the specific subject.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Website

www.ctc.ca.gov

Then go to: Credential Requirements

Elementary Teaching (Multiple Subject)or

Secondary Teaching (Single Subject)