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5 Steps To Become a Spanish Teacher in Wisconsin

By: Author Teacher Catalina

Posted on Last updated:

The 5 Steps To Become a Spanish Teacher in Wisconsin

  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 Wisconsin Educator Standards Assessment (WESTest).
  5. Apply for a teaching license from the DPI.

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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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

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 Wisconsin Educator Standards Assessment (WESTest).

Pass the Wisconsin Educator Standards Assessment (WESTest


The Wisconsin Educator Standards Assessment (WESTest) is a multiple-choice exam that measures your knowledge of the Wisconsin Educator Standards. The WESTest is required for all teachers who are seeking a teaching license in Wisconsin.

The WESTest is divided into two parts:

  • Part I: Content Knowledge
  • Part II: Pedagogical Knowledge

Part I: Content Knowledge

  • Reading: This section measures your ability to read and understand content-specific texts. You will be given a variety of texts, such as articles, essays, and research reports, and will be asked questions about the content of the texts.
  • Writing: This section measures your ability to write about content-specific topics. You will be given a variety of writing tasks, such as summarizing a text, writing a response to a prompt, and writing an essay.

Part II: Pedagogical Knowledge

  • Instructional Planning and Delivery: This section measures your ability to plan and deliver effective instruction. You will be given a variety of tasks, such as developing lesson plans, creating assessments, and managing a classroom.
  • Assessment and Evaluation: This section measures your ability to assess student learning and use assessment results to improve instruction. You will be given a variety of tasks, such as creating assessments, scoring assessments, and using assessment results to make instructional decisions.
  • Professional Development, Leadership, and Community: This section measures your ability to engage in professional development, lead others, and contribute to your school and community. You will be given a variety of tasks, such as reflecting on your practice, collaborating with colleagues, and participating in school-wide initiatives.

The WESTest 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.

For more information check out: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/programs/educator-standards

Fifth, Apply for a teaching license from the DPI.

Here are the steps on how to apply for a teaching license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI):

  1. Create a DPI account. You can create a DPI account online at https://dpi.wi.gov/.
  2. Submit an application. You can submit an application online at https://dpi.wi.gov/.
  3. Submit your transcripts. You must submit official transcripts from your college or university to the DPI.
  4. Pass the required exams. You must pass the Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN) and the WESTest.
  5. Complete a background check. You must complete a background check through the DPI.
  6. Pay the application fee. The application fee is $20.

Once you have completed all of these steps, the DPI will review your application and issue you a teaching license.

Here are some additional details about each step:

  • DPI account: Your DPI account will allow you to track the status of your application, submit documents, and pay fees.
  • Application: The application form can be found on the DPI website. You will need to provide information about your education, teaching experience, and criminal history.
  • Transcripts: Your transcripts must be official and sent directly from your college or university to the DPI.
  • Exams: The Praxis Spanish Language Content Test (PLTC-SPAN) and the WESTest are both administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). You can find more information about these exams on the ETS website.
  • Background check: The background check is conducted by the DPI. You will need to provide your fingerprints and pay a fee.
  • Application fee: The application fee is $20. You can pay the fee online with a credit card or by check.

Conclusion, 

Becoming a Spanish teacher in Wisconsin 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.