To encourage new teachers to enter the field of immersion education, and to support current French teachers to pursue dual language certifications, the French Dual Language Fund was pleased to launch in 2018 the Future Immersion Teacher Fellowship, or FIT Fellowship.
FIT Fellows receive scholarships of up to $10,000 to pursue graduate degrees and certification programs to prepare them for roles as French immersion teachers.
Dual language and immersion programs in U.S. public schools are rapidly expanding. However, the biggest obstacle schools face when launching and maintaining immersion programming is teacher recruitment and retention.
Research suggests scholarship programs for teachers entering the field are an effective way to recruit high-quality teachers and increase retention. A survey of 400 National and State Teachers of the Year found that 75% of the teachers said that “scholarship programs for education students” were the most effective recruitment strategies for new teachers.
Through partnering with a select network of American universities, the FIT Fellowship provides scholarships for future French immersion teachers to pursue graduate degrees and specialized certifications in dual language and immersion education.
The FIT Fellowship supports the next generation of French immersion teachers to meet the demands of the growing network of French dual language and immersion programs.
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY College of Education and Human DevelopmentGraduate and Endorsement Programs in Dual Language and Immersion Education
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITYSchool of Teacher Education and LeadershipDual Language Immersion Endorsement
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTADepartment of Curriculum and InstructionGraduate and Certificate Programs in Dual Language and Immersion Education
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYTeachers CollegeGraduate and Certificate Programs in Bilingual and Bicultural Education
HUNTER COLLEGESchool of EducationGraduate Programs in Bilingual Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAHDepartment of World Languages and Culture
THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLANDSchool of EducationGraduate and Certificate Programs in Dual Language Immersion
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTEDepartment of Educational Curriculum & InstructionMasters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education (Grades 1-5) with a concentration in French Immersion
QUEENS COLLEGEThe Extension in Bilingual Education, offered by the Elementary and Early Childhood Education Department at Queens College, is a fully online program that provides school teachers who are already certified in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, or Special Education with a 15-credit program leading to the New York State Extension in Bilingual Education. This program can be completed in one year.
Learn more at: qc.cuny.edu
The Fund continues to seek partner universities that offer graduate-level or certification programs specializing in bilingual education, dual language and immersion teaching in French, or related fields. The French Dual Language Fund will then offer scholarships to a select group of students admitted to these programs to support them in pursuing careers in French dual language and immersion teaching. The scholarship value will be dependent upon the cost of the program and the level (Masters or certificate).
The FIT Fellowship will shine a spotlight on academic and professional opportunities that exist within the growing field of French dual language and immersion education, and aims to motivate the next generation of language immersion teachers.
To learn more about becoming a FIT Fellowship partner, please contact fdlf@albertinefoundation.org
This scholarship program will support two types of students:
1 – Those with a bachelor’s degree, not yet teachers, hoping to pursue a Master’s degree and teaching credential to become a teacher in a French dual language program, and
2 – Current French teachers who are pursuing a specialized certification in order to become trained in dual language and immersion pedagogy.
Another aim of this initiative is to elevate the visibility of job opportunities and academic opportunities in dual language and immersion education. The FIT Fellowship will shine a spotlight on academic and professional opportunities that exist within the growing field of French dual language and immersion education, and aims to motivate the next generation of language immersion teachers.
Next Call for Applications: To Be Announced
The Application is to be completed by the FIT Fellow candidate, and supported with a letter of recommendation by a faculty member or administrator at the partner university.
Xavier Moquet Education Attaché
Mickael Raggi Program Officer
fdlf@albertinefoundation.org