5 Steps To Become a Spanish Teacher in Iowa

The 5 Steps To Become a Spanish Teacher in Iowa

  1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university 
  2. Complete a teacher preparation program
  3. Pass the Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN).
  4. Pass the Iowa Content Assessments for Educators (ICARE) Spanish test.
  5. Apply for a teaching license from the IDOE.

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First, Bachelor’s Degree

You Will Need to Attend college to earn your Bachelor’s Degree in education with, ideally, a major in Spanish. Your bachelor’s degree should include coursework in Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and literature. You can also take courses in linguistics, education, and child development. The Bachelor’s Degree Has to be from a Regionally accredited college or university. 

Secondly, The AETPP

Complete an Approved Education Teacher Preparation program. This will be included in your Bachelor’s if you Major in education & Spanish. For more information, go to the official Website of the Iowa Department of Education Website 

Thirdly, the Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN).

Pass the Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN)

The Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN) is a multiple-choice exam that measures your knowledge of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and culture. It is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is required for teachers of Spanish in Iowa.

The exam is divided into two parts:

  • Part I: Reading and Writing
  • Part II: Listening and Speaking

Part I: Reading and Writing

  • Reading: This section measures your ability to read and understand Spanish texts. You will be given a variety of texts, such as news articles, short stories, and poems, and will be asked questions about the content of the texts.
  • Writing: This section measures your ability to write in Spanish. You will be given a variety of writing tasks, such as summarizing a text, writing a letter, and writing an essay.

Part II: Listening and Speaking

  • Listening: This section measures your ability to listen to and understand Spanish spoken by native speakers. You will be given a variety of audio recordings, such as conversations, interviews, and lectures, and will be asked questions about the content of the recordings.
  • Speaking: This section measures your ability to speak Spanish fluently and accurately. You will be given a variety of speaking tasks, such as introducing yourself, asking questions, and giving a presentation.

The PLTC-SPAN is a challenging exam, but it is possible to pass with careful preparation. There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the exam, including study guides, practice tests, and online courses.

Check out their Website for more information Website

Fourth, the Iowa Content Assessments for Educators (ICARE) Spanish test.

Pass the Iowa Content Assessments for Educators (ICARE) Spanish test.


The Iowa Content Assessments for Educators (ICARE) Spanish test is a multiple-choice exam that measures your knowledge of the Iowa Standards for Spanish Language Arts. The exam is administered by Pearson Vue and is offered multiple times per year.

The ICARE Spanish test is divided into two parts:

  • Part I: Language
    • This section measures your knowledge of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
  • Part II: Culture
    • This section measures your knowledge of Spanish history, geography, and culture.

The exam is 2 hours long and consists of 120 questions. The passing score for the ICARE Spanish test is 220.

To prepare for the ICARE Spanish test, you can use a variety of resources, including:

  • Practice tests
  • Study guides
  • Online courses
  • Tutoring

Fifth, Apply for a teaching license from the IDOE.

Here are the steps on how to apply for a Spanish teaching license from the Iowa Department of Education:

  1. Gather your application materials. These materials will include your transcripts, proof of passing the Praxis II Spanish Language Proficiency Test, and a completed application form. You can find more information about the required application materials on the Iowa Department of Education website.
  2. Submit your application. You can submit your application online or by mail. The application fee is $100.
  3. Pass a criminal background check. The Iowa Department of Education requires all applicants for teaching licenses to pass a criminal background check. You can find more information about the criminal background check process on the Iowa Department of Education website.
  4. Wait for your application to be processed. The Iowa Department of Education will review your application and notify you of the status of your application within 60 days.

If your application is approved, you will be issued a teaching license. Your teaching license will be valid for five years. To renew your teaching license, you must complete 60 hours of professional development within the five-year period.

For more information, please visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

Here are some additional tips for applying for a Spanish teaching license from the Iowa Department of Education:

  • Start the application process early. The application process can take several months to complete, so it is important to start the process early.
  • Make sure you have all of the required application materials. The Iowa Department of Education will not process your application if you do not have all of the required materials.
  • Review the application instructions carefully. The Iowa Department of Education has specific instructions for completing the application. Make sure you read and follow these instructions carefully.
  • Proofread your application carefully. Typos and grammatical errors will not make a good impression on the Iowa Department of Education. Make sure you proofread your application carefully before submitting it.

Conclusion, 

Becoming a Spanish teacher in Iowa is a long process. However, we hope we made it easier for you to navigate. If you are working towards becoming a Spanish Teacher or are learning Spanish, please feel free to use and share all our Resources, including Handouts, Videos, and more. 

Please understand that we do not make any state rules and have no influence on testing or requirements for becoming a Spanish teacher. All the information is to help you guide the process, but you should always check the Official Government Websites for Any official Information.

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