BSc in Bilingual Education/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in Boston United States | Boston University

The Bilingual Education program equips students to teach English as a second language (ESL) at elementary or secondary levels through an integrated curriculum. This includes a robust liberal arts foundation with focuses on linguistics, cultural studies, and a minor in a foreign language (or related field chosen with advisor guidance). The program blends professional education courses that merge theory with practice, along with specialized classes covering language acquisition, literacy instruction, assessment strategies, and curriculum design. Students gain hands-on experience by applying these concepts during supervised placements in ESL, Dual Language, or SEI classrooms across various grade levels.

All BU undergraduates, including freshmen and transfers, complete the BU Hub general education requirements woven throughout their studies. These can be fulfilled through major coursework, electives, or cocurricular activities. Bilingual Education majors typically meet Hub requirements in Diversity, Civic Engagement, Global Citizenship, and Communication through Wheelock College classes, while other requirements are satisfied via Arts & Sciences courses or external options. Students should consider Hub objectives when selecting these complementary courses.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

Establish clear, achievable learning objectives for lessons.
Create cohesive lesson/unit plans aligning goals, assessments, and activities.
Design instruction grounded in EL education research and theory.
Apply linguistic/academic standards (CCSS, MA Frameworks, WIDA) to set appropriate EL goals based on proficiency and grade level.
Implement teaching methods informed by second-language acquisition research.
Utilize diverse assessments to evaluate EL progress and identify learning needs.