Teach culturally and linguistically diverse learners.
In this program, you'll learn the most effective ways to teach PreK-12 students who are new to the culture, language, and content of schools in the United States. You'll develop an appreciation of the unique identities of all children. You'll also discover research-based best practices for helping emergent bilinguals—English language learners—take part in the classroom through listening and speaking, reading and writing, and the arts.
You'll learn to teach effectively through coursework on culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy, first and second language acquisition, bilingualism and biliteracy, and scaffolding content and language demands of academic tasks and texts. And by engaging in self-reflection and cultivating self-knowledge, you'll become a more compassionate educator.
With faculty, you'll explore and co-create arts-integrated lessons that lead to increased student achievement, and understand the important differences between language differences and learning disabilities. Work effectively in culturally and linguistically diverse environments in collaboration with multilingual families and school communities to enact a commitment to social justice. You'll put theory to practice in an immersive student teaching experience in a bilingual or multilingual classroom.
Become a valued member of a diverse school community at Lesley. Take classes on our Cambridge campus or at an off-campus location, and get feedback from faculty with expertise in the field. Complete a student-teaching experience in a Massachusetts school, and graduate with a master's degree and an initial license in English as a Second Language at either the PreK-6 or 5-12 grade level.
Come study with dedicated faculty at the place that educates more teachers than any other place in New England. You'll benefit from the reputation of a school with exceptional programs in Massachusetts, where school principals prefer to hire Lesley graduates and believe they're the most prepared for the classroom. (Source: Radius Global Market Research, 2017)
