The Center for Bilingual/Multicultural Studies has successfully addressed the issues of professional preparation for teachers of language minority and culturally diverse students for the past 44 years. The purpose of the Center is to direct all issues of culture and language within the College of Communication and Education. The Center prepares professionals to serve California's 1,112,535 English Learners, 19.01% of the total student enrollment, and the 2,210,311 California students who speak a language other than English in their homes, a number that represents 39.5% of California’s public school enrollment (California Department of Education, Education Demographics Unit, 2023).
The Center for Bilingual/Multicultural Studies includes CSU, Chico's Bilingual Authorization Professional Preparation Program, the MA in Education, Teaching English Learners Pattern, various grant programs, and the Korean Institute. It also collaborates closely with the California Mini-Corps Program.
Purpose Statement:
The Center for Bilingual/Multicultural Studies directs issues of culture and language within the College of Communication and Education. The Center prepares professionals to serve California's Emergent Bilinguals/English Learners. Cultural and linguistic differences are viewed as assets which provide our society with unlimited resources.