MAT in World Language Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed for graduates in world languages or graduates from equivalent programs or similar backgrounds. The program is for students who wish to obtain initial licensure for Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish for grades 5–12 (middle, junior, or senior high schools) in Massachusetts. (Licensure reciprocity exists with many states, but students should investigate specifics in the state of anticipated residence.) The MAT is designed as a 12-month, full-time program that may begin in June or September each year. It is further possible to complete the degree over a longer time period as a part-time student.

Students in the program complete courses in education, language acquisition, and world language pedagogy. Additionally, students participate in a pre-practicum and practicum (student-teaching).

Learning Outcomes

As a result of successful completion of this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, and providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis.
• Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency.
• Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
• Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice.
• Demonstrates subject matter knowledge.

Degree Requirements

Education Coursework (8 cr)

• SED CT 534 A Practical Approach to Classroom Management (2 cr)
• SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 cr)
• SED ED 502/503 Professional Teaching Seminar: Analyzing Foundations of Teaching (2 cr)
• SED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 cr)

World Language and Language Education Coursework (26 cr)

• CAS LC 511 Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (4 cr) *Required for Chinese licensure students only
• SED LS 565 Applied Linguistics: Language & Linguistics Survey (4 cr)
• SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 cr)
• SED WL 503 Pre-Practicum in World Languages (2 cr)
• SED WL 511 Teaching Methods in World Language Education (4 cr)
• SED WL 512 Curriculum & Assessment in World Language Education (4 cr)
• Electives (4–8 cr)

*Recommended courses include any SED WL course, or CAS XL 5XX, LC 5XX, LF 5XX, LS 5XX, or other with advisor approval 

*Students wishing to obtain the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement may take SED TL 525 for one of their electives

Practicum (8 cr)

Students participate in a minimum 300-hour student-teaching experience supervised by a trained classroom teacher and Boston University Program Supervisor. Students take the following:

• SED WL 504 Student Teaching Seminar in World Languages (2 cr)
• SED WL 586 Practicum in World Language Education (6 cr)

Add-On License in Teaching English Language Learners (ESL)

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) Program offers a five-course, 18-credit add-on license pathway for licensure-seeking graduate students. Through this pathway, licensure-seeking students also meet requirements for an initial license in English as a Second Language (ESL) (PreK–6 or 5­–12) in Massachusetts.

In this course of study, students are introduced to the key factors affecting second-language acquisition, learn techniques for fostering language development through rich academic content, and practice strategies relevant to teaching English as a second or foreign language. In addition, they learn how to support students’ literacy skills in their home languages, and how to integrate best practices of culturally sustainable teaching into their classrooms. As part of the program, licensure-seeking students complete a 150-hour ESL practicum.

This pathway consists of the following courses:

• SED BI 504 Seminar: The Student-Teaching Experience—Bilingual (ESL) Language (2 cr)
• SED BI 515 Methods in Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education (ESL), PreK–6 (4 cr) OR SED TL 508 Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language, 5–12 (4 cr)
• SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 cr)
• SED TL 571 Student-Teaching Practicum: ESL, PreK–6 (4 cr) OR SED TL 573 Student-Teaching Practicum: ESL, 5–12 (4 cr)