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Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - M.Ed.

Masters

Learning Format

Online

Types

Master's
Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - M.Ed.

What is the TESOL master's program at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ?

The Master of Education in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an online master's program for educators who want to teach English learners. It's a state-approved program: the ten-course degree, together with a comprehensive exam and a 300-hour practicum, leads to a Massachusetts Initial License in English as a Second Language for Grades PreK-6 or 5-12.

Are you passionate about empowering students through language? ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Master’s program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is designed for aspiring educators who want to make a meaningful impact on the lives of English Language Learners (ELLs). Whether you aim to teach young learners in PreK-6 or adolescents in grades 5-12 or advance your Early Childhood or Elementary Initial license to Professional, our program provides you with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience to thrive in diverse educational settings.

Why Choose Our TESOL Program?

Comprehensive Curriculum: Our program requires the successful completion of ten carefully curated courses that cover essential aspects of TESOL, from language acquisition theories to practical classroom strategies. To ensure your readiness, a comprehensive examination will be taken during your final semester.

Hands-On Experience: Gain invaluable practical experience through our 300-hour Practicum, where you’ll apply your learning in real-world classrooms. This hands-on training is integral to developing your teaching expertise and confidence.

Pathway to Licensure: For those seeking licensure in ESL, our program, combined with the Practicum and other requirements, can lead to an Initial License in English as a Second Language for Grades PreK-6 or Grades 5-12. This licensure opens doors to a rewarding career in education, making you a vital resource for schools in need of skilled ESL teachers.

Graduate Certificate in TESOL: Already a mainstream teacher? Enhance your skills with our four-course Graduate Certificate in TESOL. This program equips you with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to support ELLs effectively, ensuring their language development and academic success. 

Affordability and Support: At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, we understand that pursuing higher education is a significant investment. Our TESOL program is competitively priced, offering excellent value for the comprehensive education and professional preparation you’ll receive.

Join the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Community: When you choose ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, you’re not just enrolling in a program – you’re joining a supportive and diverse community of educators, mentors, and peers dedicated to making a difference. Our faculty are experienced professionals who bring real-world insights into the classroom, and our alumni network offers valuable connections and opportunities for professional growth.

What will you study in the TESOL M.Ed.?

The degree is ten courses. Seven focus on teaching English learners:

  • Language Structure: Phonology and Morphology
  • Language Structure: Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics
  • Current Issues in Second Language Acquisition
  • Educational Technology to Support English Language Learners
  • The Role of the English as a Second Language Teacher: Collaboration, Co-teaching, and Advocacy
  • Teaching Reading and Writing to English Learners, with a pre-practicum in Grades PreK-12
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching, with a pre-practicum in Grades PreK-12

Three education core courses round out the degree: Research and Evaluation, Philosophy of Education and Teaching Practice, and Language Development and Communication. You finish with a written comprehensive exam in your final semester.

If you don't have prior coursework or training in teaching reading, you start with Literacy Instruction before Teaching Reading and Writing to English Learners. It may be waived if you meet the proficiency requirements when you're admitted.

Program, Admissions & Licensure Requirements

Program, Admissions & Licensure Requirements

Designed for those interested in fostering academic success for learners whose primary language is not English.

 

  • Complete the 
  • Submit the $50.00 application fee
  • Applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.80 GPA from a regionally accredited college/university and must submit all official college-level transcripts. Applicants who studied outside of the United States must submit official transcripts and a course-by-course evaluation for US equivalency. 
  • Two (2) recommendations must be submitted electronically through the Recommendation section of the application. One letter must be from an employer or supervisor, and the second letter must be from a faculty member who has taught the candidate at the collegiate level if the candidate attended classes in the last five years; if a faculty recommendation is not possible, the second letter should be another professional recommendation.
  • Submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal education, current job responsibilities, and career plans.

For the candidate who does NOT hold any teaching license in Massachusetts:

The Master of Education with a concentration in The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.Ed. in TESOL) is a state-approved program leading to Initial Licensure in ESL. Students seeking their first Initial Teacher Licensure in English as a Second Language need the following:

Completion of


  • OR

In order to qualify and register for the 300-hour Practicum which leads to licensure, students must have:

  • Successfully completed the ten (10) M.Ed. TESOL courses listed above.
  • Passed the TESOL Comprehensive Exam. (see Comprehensive Exam).
  • Identified a Practicum location in agreement with a school district Supervising Practitioner (the teacher or supervisor in the school district who oversees the student). Students locate their own Practicum sites. (The TESOL Program Coordinator and TESOL Program Advisor can offer suggestions for districts to contact.) The University must approve the Practicum location.
  • Received permission from the University Practicum Supervisor regarding travel distance.
  • Submitted a Practicum Application to the Field Experience Office by October 1 for a spring practicum or February 15 for a fall practicum. 

While not required, students are encouraged to complete the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) before registering for the 300-hour practicum.

 

Professor and students

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of language as a system.

  • Use theories in second language acquisition to differentiate between learning disabilities and language differences.

  • Assess and interpret formal and informal testing results through conducted research.

  • Analyze instructional methods in ESL and Sheltered English Immersion and describe best practices.

  • Interpret the State and Federal laws that govern the education of English language learners and share information with the local community.

Meet Our Coordinator

Anne Roberti

Anne Roberti, Ph.D.

Executive Director, English Language Programs and Program Coordinator and Visiting Associate Professor, M.Ed. - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
508 215-5713
aroberti@framingham.edu
O'Connor Hall

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TESOL master's degree offered online?

Yes. The M.Ed. in TESOL courses are offered online, so you can keep teaching or working while you study. If you're seeking an ESL license, you also complete a 300-hour practicum in a real school classroom, at a site you arrange with a school district and the University approves.

Does the TESOL M.Ed. lead to an ESL license in Massachusetts?

Yes. It's a state-approved program leading to a Massachusetts Initial License in English as a Second Language, for Grades PreK-6 or Grades 5-12. Along with the ten courses, you pass a comprehensive exam and complete a 300-hour practicum. You're encouraged to take the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) before the practicum.

Do you need a teaching license to apply?

No. You need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college with at least a 2.80 GPA. The program can lead to your first Initial License in ESL, and teachers who hold an Early Childhood or Elementary Initial license can use it to advance to a Professional license.

What is the TESOL practicum?

The practicum is 300 hours of teaching English learners in a real classroom, at the PreK-6 or 5-12 level, under a supervising practitioner. You apply to the Field Experience Office by October 1 for a spring practicum or February 15 for a fall practicum. The program coordinator can suggest school districts to contact for a placement.

Is there a shorter TESOL option for current teachers?

Yes. If you're already a classroom teacher and want to support English learners without a full master's degree, the four-course Graduate Certificate in TESOL gives you the theory and practical strategies to help English learners succeed in language and in their other subjects.

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