M.Ed. Concentration in The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

College of Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL) is designed for those interested in fostering academic success for learners whose primary language is not English. It takes into consideration the needs of the immersion classroom and provides instructors with the theoretical and practical knowledge to promote effective teaching of English language skills and sheltered content areas. The program requires successful completion of the ten courses listed below. In order to graduate, a comprehensive examination is required, and is taken during the student’s final semester of study. (See Comprehensive Exam below.) The degree, along with a 300-hour Practicum and other requirements can lead to an Initial License in English as a Second Language for those seeking licensure in ESL; Grades PreK-6 or Grades 5-12. (See Initial Teacher License Requirements below.)

Framingham State University also offers a Graduate Certificate in TESOL, intended for mainstream teachers whose classrooms include English Language Learners. The four-course Certificate program provides teachers with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to identify the ELL’s needs and promote language learning and academic success for these students. (See Graduate Certificate in TESL)

M.Ed. in The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL)

The program requires successful completion of the following ten (10) courses. A written comprehensive examination is required as the student’s culminating experience. The comprehensive exam is taken during the student’s final semester of study or shortly thereafter.

Prior to enrolling the M.Ed. TESOL courses, students are required to demonstrate prior coursework or training in teaching reading in the first language. Students who do not meet the proficiency requirements will be required to take the pre-concentration course LTRC 907 Literacy Instruction prior to enrolling in TESL 949 Teaching Reading and Writing to English Learners with Pre-Practicum Grades PreK-12.

Pre-Concentration Requirement*

• LTRC 907 Literacy Instruction

^{*This may be waived for candidates who meet the proficiency requirements upon admission.}

 Education Core Courses (3)

• EDUC 991 Philosophy of Education and Teaching Practice
• EDUC 998 Language Development and Communication
• EDUC 999 Research and Evaluation (recommended after completion of three Concentration courses)

Concentration Courses (7)

• TESL 901 Language Structure: Phonology and Morphology
• TESL 902 Language Structure: Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics
• TESL 913 Current Issues in Second Language Acquisition
• TESL 920 Educational Technology to Support English Language Learners
• TESL 943 The Role of the English as a Second Language Teacher: Collaboration, Co-teaching, and Advocacy
• TESL 949 Teaching Reading and Writing to English Language Learners with Pre-Practicum Grades PreK-12
• TESL 972 Culturally Responsive Teaching with Pre-Practicum Grades PreK-12

Admission Requirements

The applicant must:

• Complete the online graduate admission application
• Submit the $50.00 application fee;
• Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
• Have a minimum undergraduate quality point average of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale.
• Provide two letters of letters of recommendation with cover forms (submitted through your online application).  Please note: one letter of recommendation should come from a current or recent employer. Send directly to the University’s Graduate Admissions office by the recommender. One letter must be from an employer or supervisor, and the other must be from a faculty member who has taught the candidate at collegiate level if the candidate attended classes in the last five years;
• 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.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students can begin the program in Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

• Prior to enrolling in the M.Ed. TESOL courses, students are required to demonstrate prior coursework or training in teaching reading in the first language. Students who do not meet the proficiency requirements will be required to take the pre-concentration course LTRC 907 Literacy Instruction prior to enrolling in TESL 949 Teaching Reading and Writing to English Learners with Pre-Practicum Grades PreK-12.

Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for a complete description of policies and regulations.

Initial Teacher License Requirements

300-Hour Practicum