Education

TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (PreK–6 or 5-12), On-Campus Program

Teach culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

In this program, you'll learn the best 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 ways to help emergent bilinguals—English language learners—take part in the classroom through listening and speaking, reading and writing, and the arts. Take courses on first and second language acquisition, bilingualism and biliteracy, and more.

Become a valued member of a diverse school community at Lesley. Learn to teach engaging arts-integrated lessons that lead to increased student achievement and understand how to tell the difference between language differences and learning disabilities. You'll also learn to work with families to foster a climate of social justice and equity.

Take classes on our Cambridge campus and online, 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.

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 credits
  • Program Prerequisite
    • Prior to program completion, you'll need to submit documentation of having earned a minimum of 6 college credits in a language other than English, or equivalent. For non-native English speakers, English is considered to be the foreign language.
  • Required Courses 21 Credits
    • Courses in linguistics, language acquisition, TESOL topics, assessment, and family & community engagement.
  • Electives 6 Credits
    • Two elective courses, chosen with your academic or faculty advisor.
  • Practicum/Student Teaching 6 Credits
    • Supervised teaching experience in a linguistically and culturally diverse classroom appropriate to the license level.
  • Licensure
    • This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial License in English as a Second Language (PreK-6 or 5-12) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Program Start
    • Start in fall, spring, or summer.
  • Approximate Time to Complete
    • Part-time example: 3–6 credits/semester for 7 semesters. Complete in just over two years.

      Full-time example: 6–9 credits/semester for 4 semesters. Complete in 1.5 years.
View Program of Study

Gain skills and expertise
Our TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual program prepares you to:
  • Be knowledgeable about multilingualism/multiculturalism and students' languages and cultures.
  • Provide meaningful, effective learning to culturally and linguistically diverse students. 
  • Understand how to tell the difference between linguistic/cultural differences and learning disabilities.
  • Collaborate with other education professionals in promoting the participation of second language learners in all aspects of schooling.
  • Interact successfully in pluralistic cultural settings.
  • Integrate theory with practice.
  • Advocate for the rights and resources for culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Article

Assessing English Language Learners

Learning to tell the difference between second language behaviors and learning disabilities can affect an English language learner's total school experience. Professor Emerita Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa addresses this topic. "Teachers need to believe every child can achieve," she says.
Read more.
Close-up of colored pencils

MTEL Workshops for Educator Candidates

Upcoming Workshops
Graduate Programs
94%

of our 2018 graduating class is employed or furthering their education.

child reading a book at a desk with crayons and pencils

Teaching English Language Learners

Mistaking second language behaviors for learning disabilities is becoming an urgent issue. Faculty discuss strategies for addressing this problem.
Read More
Licensure Information

Lesley University cannot confirm whether the course or program of study will meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in any state other than Massachusetts. We advise all applicants and students to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure or certification in the state in which they reside or plan to practice.

$78,100
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts, according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Meg Margaret Burns
English Language Learning
Meg Burns
Meg teaches in the English Language Learning/TESOL programs. She specializes in the theoretical and pedagogical foundations of bilingual education, with a focus on Spanish-English paired literacy instruction in elementary Dual Language schools. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education and is a member of the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. She is also the president of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, daycare centers, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
  • Putting theory into practice with an emphasis on instruction and assessment.
  • Reflecting on lesson effectiveness and sharing best practices to improve student learning. 
  • Applying innovative, progressive, and cutting-edge approaches. 
  • Using varied practices to help each student meet or exceed state and local standards.
  • Recognizing technology as an integral component of the teaching and learning process.
  • (Radius Global Market Research, 2017)
Graduate TESOL/ESL, Literacy, and Reading Specialist Programs
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Literacy

*Fully online programs.

Reading Specialist

Faculty

faculty laura schall-leckrone
Laura Schall-Leckrone
Associate Professor
Meg Margaret Burns
Margaret Burns
Assistant Professor
faculty laura schall-leckrone

Laura Schall-Leckrone

Associate Professor

Laura Schall-Leckrone teaches in the graduate Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and English Language Learners (TESOL/ELL) programs at Lesley. Prior to completing her doctorate, she worked for seventeen years as a bilingual teacher, Spanish teacher, and K-12 curriculum director in urban and suburban public school settings. Her teaching and research center on the preparation of teachers to teach linguistically diverse youth and pedagogy that promotes disciplinary and critical literacies.

Laura is currently engaged in collaborative classroom-based research in a K-6 elementary school supporting the implementation of a one-way (all Spanish speakers) dual immersion kindergarten program in a multilingual community in a gateway city.

Laura was one of the speakers at a 2018 Lesley-hosted dual-language conference sponsored by the Multistate Association for Bilingual Educators, with colleagues Meg Burns and Amanda Wager. Read more.

Education

BA, Swarthmore College
MAT, School for International Training
PhD, Boston College

Read Full Bio
Selected Publications,
Selected Presentations
Meg Margaret Burns

Margaret Burns

Assistant Professor

Meg is a faculty member in the English Language Learning/TESOL programs at Lesley. She specializes in the theoretical and pedagogical foundations of bilingual education, with a focus on Spanish-English paired literacy instruction in elementary Dual Language schools. Her research also investigates issues of culture, race, and power in linguistically diverse settings, specifically Two-Way Dual Language schools.

Meg teaches courses in first and second language acquisition, early language and literacy development, sheltered English instruction, culturally responsive pedagogy, family and community engagement, and qualitative research methods. In professional development settings, Meg works with both monolingual and bilingual teachers to build classroom practices which support emerging bilingual learners’ oral language development as a foundation for biliteracy.  

After learning Spanish as a second language, Meg began her teaching career as a first grade Two-Way Dual Language Spanish immersion teacher. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education and is a member of the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association.

Meg is the incoming president of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education. Lesley recently hosted a dual-language MABE conference featuring Meg and Lesley colleagues Laura Schall-Leckrone and Amanda Wager. Read more.

Education: BA, Vassar College; MA in Applied Linguistics, University of Massachusetts, Boston; PhD in Bilingual Multicultural Education, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Read Full Bio
Selected Publications and Presentations,
Awards

TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education

Graduate School of Education

Education

"My decision to become a teacher was like a constant knock at the door. I love sharing ideas and discoveries, and I love listening to what others discover. I am a constant learner."
Ryan Hanlon ’16, Middle School Education
children playing cards and learning from their teacher

6 Ways Educators Can Prevent Bullying

Think about your classroom. Now picture your students. Chances are that one out of every five has been bullied. As an educator, what can you do about it?
Learn more about preventing bullying.
Education
55,000+

Educators who completed their teacher preparation at Lesley University.

Ellie Brennan, learning specialist

Ellie Brennan ’16

Lesley’s Collaborative Internship Program helped Ellie gain the experiences she needed to become the educator she always aspired to be.
Read more about Ellie Brennan
Education
#1

Lesley education graduates are the top choice of Massachusetts K-12 employers.

Source: Radius Global Market Research, 2017
High school teacher in front of the classroom

Sydney Chaffee ’07

Sydney Chaffee, 2017 National Teacher of the Year, knows the importance of helping young people achieve.
Read more about Sydney Chaffee
student judging two works of art

Dual Degrees

Get your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in one streamlined, affordable program. Complete both degrees in 5–6 years for a significant tuition discount.
Learn more about these programs
Teacher at the head of the classroom

Home to Top-Ranking School Districts

Lesley University's Greater Boston location means more significant field experiences for future teachers.
teacher at a table with students

Levels of Educator Licensure

Learn which license you need to teach in a Massachusetts public school, depending on where you are in your teaching career.
Read More
Andy Mellen studied Special Education: Severe Disabilities at Lesley University.

Andy Mellen ’17

As an adaptive learning center teacher, Andy goes above and beyond to ensure students with diverse learning needs can succeed in a general education setting.
Read more about Andy Mellen
Cambridge, MA : Lesley's location puts you in the center of world-class institutions and cultural organizations, and a vibrant multicultural population.
Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Slide 1 of 14
Get to know vibrant Harvard Square, just a few minutes from campus
Harvard Square, Cambridge
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A hub for students from around the world, Harvard Square is always buzzing with energy
Bike rider in Harvard square on Massachusetts Avenue
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It's easy to travel through the city, on foot or by bike
Harvard Square food trucks
Slide 4 of 14
Grab something quick and delicious at the food trucks parked minutes from campus
Harvard Common Spaces, Cambridge
Doble Campus Lesley University
Slide 5 of 14
Doble Campus, Lesley University
Brattle Campus, Lesley University
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Brattle Campus, Lesley University
Brattle Campus, Lesley University
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Brattle Campus, Lesley University
view of Charles river in Harvard square
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Charles River, Cambridge
Harvard yard
Slide 9 of 14
Harvard Yard, Cambridge
Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Slide 10 of 14
Lined with shops and restaurants, even the streets are livelier in Cambridge
View of porter square entrance
Slide 11 of 14
Porter Square, Cambridge
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Slide 12 of 14
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Slide 13 of 14
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Charles river
Slide 14 of 14
Nothing beats watching the sun set over Charles River
view of boston from the charles river
Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Harvard Square, Cambridge
Bike rider in Harvard square on Massachusetts Avenue
Harvard Square food trucks
Doble Campus Lesley University
Brattle Campus, Lesley University
Brattle Campus, Lesley University
view of Charles river in Harvard square
Harvard yard
Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
View of porter square entrance
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Central Square T-Station, Cambridge
Charles river

Cambridge, MA

Lesley's location puts you in the center of world-class institutions and cultural organizations, and a vibrant multicultural population.

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Education programs
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Graduate
Masters
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Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (PreK–6 or 5-12), On-Campus Program

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 credits
  • Program Prerequisite
    • Prior to program completion, you'll need to submit documentation of having earned a minimum of 6 college credits in a language other than English, or equivalent. For non-native English speakers, English is considered to be the foreign language.
  • Required Courses 21 Credits
    • Courses in linguistics, language acquisition, TESOL topics, assessment, and family & community engagement.
  • Electives 6 Credits
    • Two elective courses, chosen with your academic or faculty advisor.
  • Practicum/Student Teaching 6 Credits
    • Supervised teaching experience in a linguistically and culturally diverse classroom appropriate to the license level.
  • Licensure
    • This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial License in English as a Second Language (PreK-6 or 5-12) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Program Start
    • Start in fall, spring, or summer.
  • Approximate Time to Complete
    • Part-time example: 3–6 credits/semester for 7 semesters. Complete in just over two years.

      Full-time example: 6–9 credits/semester for 4 semesters. Complete in 1.5 years.
View Program of Study
7756
11426
Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts, at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.
/academics/guide-financial-aid-scholarships-graduate-doctoral-students
Gain skills and expertise
Our TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual program prepares you to:
  • Be knowledgeable about multilingualism/multiculturalism and students' languages and cultures.
  • Provide meaningful, effective learning to culturally and linguistically diverse students. 
  • Understand how to tell the difference between linguistic/cultural differences and learning disabilities.
  • Collaborate with other education professionals in promoting the participation of second language learners in all aspects of schooling.
  • Interact successfully in pluralistic cultural settings.
  • Integrate theory with practice.
  • Advocate for the rights and resources for culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Article

Assessing English Language Learners

Learning to tell the difference between second language behaviors and learning disabilities can affect an English language learner's total school experience. Professor Emerita Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa addresses this topic. "Teachers need to believe every child can achieve," she says.
Read more.
Close-up of colored pencils

MTEL Workshops for Educator Candidates

Upcoming Workshops
Graduate Programs
94%

of our 2018 graduating class is employed or furthering their education.

child reading a book at a desk with crayons and pencils

Teaching English Language Learners

Mistaking second language behaviors for learning disabilities is becoming an urgent issue. Faculty discuss strategies for addressing this problem.
Read More
Licensure Information

Lesley University cannot confirm whether the course or program of study will meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in any state other than Massachusetts. We advise all applicants and students to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure or certification in the state in which they reside or plan to practice.

$78,100
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts, according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Meg Margaret Burns
English Language Learning
Meg Burns
Meg teaches in the English Language Learning/TESOL programs. She specializes in the theoretical and pedagogical foundations of bilingual education, with a focus on Spanish-English paired literacy instruction in elementary Dual Language schools. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education and is a member of the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. She is also the president of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, daycare centers, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
  • Putting theory into practice with an emphasis on instruction and assessment.
  • Reflecting on lesson effectiveness and sharing best practices to improve student learning. 
  • Applying innovative, progressive, and cutting-edge approaches. 
  • Using varied practices to help each student meet or exceed state and local standards.
  • Recognizing technology as an integral component of the teaching and learning process.
  • (Radius Global Market Research, 2017)
Graduate TESOL/ESL, Literacy, and Reading Specialist Programs
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Literacy

*Fully online programs.

Reading Specialist
Master of Education
Teacher showing a group of children letters at a table.
student working with iPad
  • Tuition
    Online Tuition: $650/credit x 18
    $11,700
    On-Campus: $840/credit x 15
    $12,600
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $650
    Registration Fees
    $240
    Technology Fees
    $180
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $150
    Degree Completion Fee
    $75
    Activity Fees
    $60
    Material Fees
    $40
    Practicum Fee
    $35
  • Total
Estimated Cost

Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Teach culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

In this program, you'll learn the best 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 ways to help emergent bilinguals—English language learners—take part in the classroom through listening and speaking, reading and writing, and the arts. Take courses on first and second language acquisition, bilingualism and biliteracy, and more.

Become a valued member of a diverse school community at Lesley. Learn to teach engaging arts-integrated lessons that lead to increased student achievement and understand how to tell the difference between language differences and learning disabilities. You'll also learn to work with families to foster a climate of social justice and equity.

Take classes on our Cambridge campus and online, 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.

Prepare to effectively teach English to speakers of other languages. Gain an Initial Massachusetts license in English as a Second Language (ESL), and prepare for a rewarding career.
TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education: M.Ed. Initial Teacher License

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a quick question and get your customized application guide.

View apply guide
Education: What are your goals
I want to become a teacher
I am a teacher and want to advance my career
Education: What are you planning to teach?
Early Childhood
Elementary
Middle/High School
Special Education
Arts in Education
Reading and Literacy
Science, Technology, and Math
Education: Where will you be teaching?
Massachusetts
Education: Where would you like to study
On Campus
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Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Exclude from Site Search
No
Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2019-2020 academic year.
TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education
  • Tuition
    Online Tuition: $650/credit x 18
    $11,700
    On-Campus: $840/credit x 15
    $12,600
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $650
    Registration Fees
    $240
    Technology Fees
    $180
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $150
    Degree Completion Fee
    $75
    Activity Fees
    $60
    Material Fees
    $40
    Practicum Fee
    $35
  • Total
Estimated Cost

Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a quick question and get your customized application guide.

View apply guide
View Full Program Cost
Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts, at competitive tuition rates.
Financial Aid
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a quick question and get your customized application guide.

Apply Now
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617.868.9600