M.Ed. Concentration in The Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL)

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College of Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in The Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL) 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 TESL, 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 Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

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. TESL 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*

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

 Education Core Courses (3)

Concentration Courses (7)

 

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 the M.Ed. TESL 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

Three avenues towards licensure are described below depending on the student’s individual need.
(Practicum versus Internship)


Avenue #1: 300-Hour Practicum

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

The Master of Education with a concentration in The Teaching of English as a Second Language (M.Ed. in TESL) 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:

  1. Successfully completed the ten (10) M.Ed. TESL courses listed above.

  2. Passed the TESL Comprehensive Exam. (see Comprehensive Exam).

  3. Earned a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL 001) (official score report forwarded to the Graduate Office with Practicum Application). The application cannot be processed without this score.

  4. Earned a passing score on the ESL Subject Matter Test, (MTEL 054 ESL), (official score report forwarded to the Graduate Office with Practicum Application). The application cannot be processed without this score.

  5. 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 TESL Program Coordinator and TESL Program Advisor can offer suggestions for districts to contact.) The University must approve the Practicum location.

  6. Received permission of the University Practicum Supervisor regarding travel distance.

  7. Submitted a Practicum Application. Please contact to the Graduate Office to obtain the application. Deadlines are firm: October 1st for a Spring Practicum.

Once the application has been submitted and approved, students will be notified and then will be permitted to register for TESL 980A/980B or TESL 981A/981B.

Avenue #2: 150-Hour Practicum

For the candidate who already holds an Initial or Professional teacher license, permission may be granted to complete a 150-Hour Practicum. The Practicum is overseen by Framingham State University and requires registration in either TESL 980 or TESL 981. See Program Coordinator or Advisor for full details.

Avenue #3: 150-Hour Internship

For the candidate who holds a valid teaching license in Massachusetts and is seeking to add the ESL PreK-6 or ESL 5-12 license, at the same level in which they currently hold licensure. Instead of a 300-hour Practicum, the student may be eligible for a 150-hour Internship.

An internship is an agreement between the student and the district in which the student is working. Framingham State University is not involved in the internship process and does not endorse the student for licensure. Passing scores on the Communications & Literacy, and ESL Subject Matter MTELs are still required. The school district will need to complete the Internship Verification Template.

Effective as of the 2022-2023 Graduate Catalog