Job Discussion Forums

monkel · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Australia

Hi, I really want to teach in the Middle East - and am intending to get my Masters so that I can do that....how does a Masters ( in applied linguistics ) rate versus one of those " Masters" TEFL courses I see advertised around....I've been accepted at Australia's U.N.E. but am wondering if that's the right option. It seems to me that a university Masters is preferable to a TEFL Masters - but is it?
Also, will that plus 3 yrs experience be enough - or do I need to do a TEFL or CELTA course too? My undergrad majors were in Communication and English but I don't actually have training as a teacher...
Thanks, Nicole

riz2003 · Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 3

I have 2 friends who are ESL teachers and both went to Australian Universities.One went to Griffith University in Brisbane and did a Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics, and the other went to the Queensland University of Technology and did a Masters of Education in TESOL. When they compared their subjects, they found some to be very similar. However, both were experienced teachers before completing their courses.

monkel · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Australia

thanks for your help - actually I went to Qld Uni for my undegrad degree, close to both of the 2 you mentioned. I have experience as an esl teacher but since I'm planning to be a "career" teacher and actually save money doing it, I don't want to put a foot wrong at this stage. If anyone has an opinion about doing a masters versus just a tesol course please advise! they would cost me about the same!

Yours gratefully,
Nicole

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In the ME university degrees are what you need. The more, the better. They love doctorates - even if what is really needed is a competent teacher. We have all come across people with stacks of qualifications who could not teach for toffee.