The Opportunity

Lesley University's Department of Education is seeking a highly qualified adjunct faculty member to teach: Linguistic Foundations of English Acquisition; Fall 2026 Term II. This course is taught remotely.

Course Description

This independent study builds on TSLA 5420: Linguistic Foundations of English Acquisition, a master’s-level course at Fairfield University which introduces language teachers to the principles of linguistic theory (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) and their relationship to oral language and literacy development for multilingual learners. The doctoral student will engage with this content at an advanced level through three elevations: serving as a teaching assistant in the master’s course, serving as a research assistant on a new educational linguistics study of multilingual educator leadership development, and writing a benchmark paper and designing an intervention that advance the student’s dissertation study and research trajectory. In place of the lesson plans required of master’s candidates, the doctoral student will produce discussion syntheses that connect class conversation to the literature, research documentation and analytic memos, and a benchmark paper with an accompanying intervention design. The elevation draws on the student’s professional expertise in speech-language pathology and dissertation interests in trauma, communication, and multimodal assessment.

Qualities & Capabilities

The independent study will be conducted in accordance with university guidelines for graduate independent studies. A successful candidate will have:

• A PhD or terminal degree in Education, Literacy, or a closely related field (required)
• Strong supervisory, teaching, and mentorship skills

Why Lesley

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.

Expressing Interest

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.

Lesley University Adjunct Faculty positions are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). To view our compensation targets for this position, please visit this link.