Flexible Bilingual Pedagogy Endorsement
At the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, we view our students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds as valuable resources. Spanish language and bilingual courses capitalize on the rich cultural and linguistic heritage that many students bring into our classroom and prepare our students to serve their surrounding community. When UTRGV was founded in 2013, the UT System Board of Regents called on UTRGV to explore biculturalism, bilingualism, and biliteracy as part of its fabric, and teaching Spanish language and bilingual courses as well as courses incorporating flexible bilingual pedagogy respond to that call.
We define flexible bilingual pedagogy as a course which incorporates the intentional and purposeful use of English and Spanish in flexible and dynamic ways. Professors and students may use Spanish as a resource in varied ways to embrace students’ full linguistic repertoires and unique linguistic resources. In these classes, the use of Spanish by students may be encouraged but not required.
Planning Flexible Bilingual Pedagogy in Your Course
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We embrace a dynamic view of bilingualism, and we appreciate that flexible bilingual pedagogy will look different in each course. Below are some ideas of how you might integrate Spanish and English into your instruction, course content and materials, and student assignments. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your course, please contact us at bilingualintegration@utrgv.edu
- Instruction: You may provide lectures and instruction bilingually or in Spanish and/or English.
- You may choose to lecture in Spanish or bilingually in certain classes or for certain topics. The amount of Spanish/English/bilingual instruction is up to you, but it should be intentional and purposeful.
- Other types of instruction such as activities, discussion questions, videos, and modules may include both languages. This is at the discretion of the professor.
- Content/Materials: You may provide course content and materials in Spanish, English, or bilingually.
- You may provide instructions, exams, assignment sheets, and other course materials in Spanish, English or bilingual modes.
- If your course has a pre-determined textbook in English, you may choose to provide some additional supplementary materials in Spanish or bilingual modes.
- The Office for Bilingual Integration will facilitate connections with library resources, or you may communicate directly with your academic area library liaison. Find your library liaison here.
- Demonstrations of Learning (Student Work): You may encourage students in the course to produce oral and written Spanish by allowing them the option to participate in activities and submit assignments in Spanish or English. This is not a requirement; it is optional.
- You may encourage students to participate in class discussions or other spoken assignments in Spanish. Please consider modelling and encouraging Spanish language use, as it will result in students feeling more comfortable to use their full linguistic repertoire.
- You may allow students to submit written assignments in Spanish or English. These written assignments may be low stakes assignments, such as reflections, journals, and/or discussion boards. If desired, you may also include larger written assignments such as papers or reports. You do not need to correct grammar or accents. Instead, as usual, you may grade for content.
- You may encourage students to speak in Spanish and/or English in class discussions, presentations, videos, or other demonstrations of learning. Similarly, these may be low stakes assignments, and the instructor may grade for content.
- Instruction: You may provide lectures and instruction bilingually or in Spanish and/or English.
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Submitting Your Application
To receive the Flexible Bilingual Pedagogy Endorsement, you will complete a short application, including the following:
- CV
- Please answer the following questions on your interest/plans for integrating flexible bilingual pedagogy in your course:
- Why should this course be taught bilingually? How will students benefit from the course being taught bilingually?
- How will both languages be represented in the course? How will Spanish be represented in instruction, content/materials, and/or demonstration of learning (student work)?
- Syllabus
- The syllabus should include a short bilingual pedagogy statement (See example.)
- The syllabus should explain clearly how bilingual pedagogies will be used in instruction, content/materials, and assignments/activities. (See Example Syllabi)
- Optional: The syllabus may be bilingual or made available in both English and Spanish (Contact Translation & Interpreting Office at tio@utrgv.edu to translate to Spanish)
Submit your application here.