Contact Us

Academic Programs

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Residency Program

MSEd

  • Program Overview

    Become an advocate, critical thinker, and innovator of language teaching and learning.

    This program is designed for prospective teachers who are interested in working with students learning English as a new language (ENL) in grades pre-K-12. Grounded in a developmental-interaction approach, our program is steeped in the belief that through careful observation, culturally sustaining pedagogy, inquiry learning, and assessment, teachers are able to respond to students’ shifts in development and interests. No prior teaching certification is necessary for this program. 

    Program Highlights

    As a student in our TESOL Residency Program, you will:

    • Be hired as a teacher apprentice
    • Earn a salary
    • Be eligible to be hired as a full-time teacher after your yearlong residency
    • Receive discounted tuition 

    Students in this program will:

    • Acquire a rich teaching repertoire to understand the intellectual, linguistic, and emotional needs of emergent bilingual students.
    • Develop a strong voice as an ENL teacher, advocate, critical thinker, and innovator of language instruction.
    • Receive a strong literacy foundation through coursework and inquiry projects.
    • Validate students’ authentic use of language by incorporating students’ diverse linguistic resources into your planning.
    • Collaborate and make decisions with a range of colleagues and families around curriculum development, assessment, and program planning for emergent bilingual students.
    • Learn to work practically and effectively in a field that requires proficiency with state/national standards, rigorous instruction, assessments, and data analysis.
    • Develop an ability to react flexibly to the needs of students by adapting instruction to linguistic, academic, and special needs.

    This program culminates in a Master of Science in Education and requires 41 credits.

    Not interested in pursuing a residency program?  If you hold a master’s degree, you should consider applying to our advanced certificate program.

    Three graduate students in a class

  • Admissions Requirements

    In addition to the main admissions criteria, there are additional requirements needed to apply for this program:

  • Coursework

  • Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement

    At Bank Street College, we believe that what sets us apart in the field of education is using theory to inform practice and practice to inform theory. During supervised fieldwork/advisement, you will apply theories of language, human, and literacy development to your practice while also critically examining how social, political, and economic factors impact your students and their use of language in schools.

    Supervised fieldwork will occur during the residency year. You will have teaching experiences in grades pre-K-6 and grades 7-12 over the course of the program.

    Taken concurrently with coursework, supervised fieldwork is designed to foster the integration of theory and practice. You will:

    • Be supervised by your advisor, a core graduate faculty mentor, and an experienced teacher.
    • Participate in a weekly conference group of 6-8 students and your advisor.
    • Discuss challenges and successes that arise in your school, strengthen your instructional practices, and come to a better understanding of your needs as an ENL educator.
    • Reflect on a lesson with your advisor once each month.
    • Meet individually with your advisor once each month.
    • Complete projects to help you take a deeper look at the setting and students you work with.
  • Faculty

  • Certification

    Upon graduation, you will be eligible for New York State certification in TESOL, grades pre-K–12, provided you complete all other state requirements.

    No prior teaching certification is necessary for this program.

Alumni Voices

“I didn’t choose Bank Street; it chose me.” ­­Carolina Soto Bonds, ’18, describes why Bank Street’s approach to teaching and learning resonated so deeply with her.