View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
AwesomeOne
Joined: 03 Dec 2016 Posts: 4 Location: Utah
|
Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:05 pm Post subject: Would MFA in creative writing be useful as teaching qual? |
|
|
Could it get me into a decent international school as as teacher?
Could it at least increase my salary if paired with a CELTA? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828
|
Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nowadays the better jobs want an MA in TESOL, Education or Applied Linguistics. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
|
Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
International schools range in quality and type. You need to clarify what you mean as "decent" as well as where you want to teach and what you expect to teach (EFL or English language arts). Also, what teaching experience do you have and in what subject/area? What's your BA major? This info would be helpful in answering your question. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916
|
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Would MFA in creative writing be useful as teaching qual |
|
|
AwesomeOne wrote: |
Could it get me into a decent international school as as teacher?
Could it at least increase my salary if paired with a CELTA? |
"Decent international schools" require, due to their accreditation, that you are a licensed teacher or at least hold a degree / post grad certification in education paired with your major. The CELTA (or any other TEFL course) doesn't cut it.
2nd or 3rd Tier international schools or just private bilingual schools in SE Asia may accept you as an EFL teacher or even an English subject teacher but your remuneration package would not likely be any better than the next bloke with a generic BA + CELTA.
. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003
|
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Addressing the MA vs MFA: In English? The two would be interchangeable. The MFA would be writing-heavy (You would produce a creative thesis) with a mix of literature and possibly linguistics and/or a few art classes while the MA would most likely be literature-heavy. Some colleges and universities award MA's by thesis or test. The MA in English by test is not as valuable as an MA with thesis.
There is no such thing as a Master of Fine Arts in TESOL.
In the U.S., an MFA from a prestigious school is considered closely valued to a Ph.D because of the extra credit hours usually required and the creative thesis and subsequent publication.
I am assuming that those who have answered before I have are thinking about international primary and secondary schools. Those would most likely require home country certification and possibly TESOL in one's education mix.
On the university and college level, I am not aware that either TESOL or home country certification is required by all international schools. In this case, however, an MFA would trump usually an MA in English.
I am unaware of an official tier system for international schools. I'd be very interested in learning about it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916
|
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"International School" is term specific to those K-12 schools that are "internationally accredited" or who offer a curriculum that is not covered by the national (state / provincial) curriculum of the country it is located in.
Top tier schools are those that are internationally accredited by organizations like CIE. CfBT, IBO, etc. Their standards are very high and the accreditation bodies have direct involvement in setting those standards and quality assurance. An education degree and/or teacher licensure is typically required. An MA in creative writing, unless coupled with a licensure or Grad Dip in Education won't be sufficient.
Second tier "international" schools are those that offer programs and curriculum from international organizations like IBO or CIE but are not actually accredited or overseen by those bodies. He may find work here IF and WHEN he actually has some experience in a K-12 environment.
Third tier "international" schools usually only have "International" in their name and not their curriculum or operational practices. They may offer their program in English but the administrative practices and curriculum are local/national rather than international. It should be no problem getting work in this type of school. Their minimum requirements are usually no different than those required to get a visa as an EFL teacher.
Universities have no "international" standard the way that K-12 schools do. They are ranked on a different set of criteria. The accreditation body, accreditation process and the standards will vary a lot (look at the US as an example: regional, national, "other" for accreditation at the tertiary level (if and when accredited at all)).
Most universities in non-anglophone countries that offer programs taught entirely in English may call themselves "International Programs" but they are not an "International School". The OP is unlikely to find a university in a non-anglophone country that would require an MFA (creative writing) lecturer for anything other than an EFL teacher (with a remuneration package to match that much lower standard).
He would likely have an easier time finding work as a copy editor at an English language newspaper in a non-anglophone country.
. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 4:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
suphanburi wrote: |
Third tier "international" schools usually only have "International" in their name and not their curriculum or operational practices. They may offer their program in English but the administrative practices and curriculum are local/national rather than international. It should be no problem getting work in this type of school. Their minimum requirements are usually no different than those required to get a visa as an EFL teacher. |
IME the miniumum requirement is either a k12 teaching qualification from the home country, or a masters degree (in anything, but preferably in TESOL)
Quote: |
Most universities in non-anglophone countries that offer programs taught entirely in English may call themselves "International Programs" but they are not an "International School". The OP is unlikely to find a university in a non-anglophone country that would require an MFA (creative writing) lecturer for anything other than an EFL teacher (with a remuneration package to match that much lower standard). |
"Require an MFA (creative writing)"? No I can't see that happening. But "accepting" a creative writing MFA for non-tenure track. Possible. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|