Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Confused Canadian]

[Highwayman]

[bish]

Hello Canadian, I didn't know you were doing the course but from what I see I can't see the appeal as I doubt it would match up to a distance course from somehwere like Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester or Nottingham.

I wasn't disputing that you have worked hard, I'm sure you have but I wouldn't be as interested in doing that course I am in doing one from a University in the US or Aus. Have you taken time off work to do it or have you done it whilst in employment?

[Confused Canadian]

[bish]

Fair play, I never doubted you worked hard and I'm glad you did. , Well done.

[Carbon]

[fromtheuk]

It's interesting to read your views on where to do an MA TESOL.

I think if you get an MA from anywhere in the world, it is still an MA.

Practically, the same level of work/effort is probably required wherever you study.

Sadly, on planet reality there is a pecking order in the shallow world of employment.

If you have an MA from America, Britain, Australia i.e. native speaking countries, I'd say most employers around the world would hold that in higher esteem than an MA from Asia.

Is that justified? Probably not. Is it fair? Probably not.

So, if somebody wants to give themselves the best chance of finding a top job anywhere in the world, in my view it'd be best to get an MA from a native English speaking country.

As regards distance v face-to-face, I've chosen the face-to-face course. Some employers look down on distance learning certificates, even though the course content is identical to the face-to-face version.

Is that fair? Probably not. Is this justified? Probably not.

Sadly, it's planet reality.

In short, in an ideal world it would be good if any qualification was recognized purely on merit. In actuality, employers around the world tend to prefer qualifications from the western hemisphere.

As a shallow individual, intent on furthering my career I've chosen what I feel is the best option. An MA from England, face-to-face.

In Korea and other parts of the world North American English is most popular.

However, I prefer the original version of the language. I'm not from Korea or other parts of the world and I know which version of English is the best.

Lastly, I will study in my home city, Robin Hood county, I don't know of any other place in this world that can say that!

fromtheuk made some valid points, a pity he ruined it from the paragraph 'In Korea' onwards.

[Highwayman]

[fromtheuk]

You don't say it explicity, but your comments suggest an MA is better from the US because it is longer in duration.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I've actually studied at university level in the UK and the US.

In the UK, degrees get straight to to the point, they don't go on and on for the sake of it. Many UK degrees are 3 years.

I don't remember any seminars at university in the US. Just lectures and lots of multiple choice/short answer exams.

Lastly, please answer the following question. Where does the English language come from? Not the US, but England.

The original version of the English language is from England and if it wasn't for the English you'd probably be a native speaker of Portuguese, Spanish or Mexican.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, an MA in TESOL from Britain is the best qualification on planet earth. This is not an issue of which country has the most global clout. It's an issue based on merit. An MA TESOL certificate from the land of Shakespeare will do me fine.

Did I tell you I'm 'fromtheuk.'

To be serious for a second, I think an MA in TESOL from some US universities are better than the MA I'm going to study for.

I feel some US courses are too much for the sake of it. However, some of them are clearly top notch.

The thing is education in America costs way too much. Education in the UK is still relatively affordable and high quality.

Also, because English comes from England, I feel it is best to have a qualification from England.

[Highwayman]

[TECO]

[Highwayman]

[TECO]

[TECO]

[fromtheuk]

Before I went to study in the US, I saw a British doctor for a medical. There was a form he had to fill in for American immigration. This was back in the 90s.

My doctor went through the form and laughed. He ticked various boxes, looked at me, chuckled and said, 'Typical Americans. Over the top.'

He meant the form was too long and much of it asked for non-essential information. It was a waste of space.

I am aware that study in America takes longer thank in the UK, but I don't think that proves it is any better at all. It's just long.

I disagree, I feel degrees from the UK are the best in the world, regardless of duration. I think they are better than degrees from America and Canada, unless you get a degree from one of the top ranked universities in North America.

It's sad North Americans can't spell the word colour properly. I also think it's sad to see many North Americans often to tend to use the word 'awesome' for anything they think is good. They never use marvellous, brilliant etc.

You honestly think North American universities aren't in it for the money? It costs bucket loads of money to get a degree in the US. Why? Because of it's great quality? My eye! It's all about making money. Of course many US universities are of great quality, but the cost of getting a degree there is outrageous.

I digress, but I've seen some ESL jobs in the US. The job description tends to give extreme detail about the responsibilities of the job, it looks like hard work, and then they offer chump change as a salary.

They have a naseating, pathetic tone in such job adverts, it gives the impression 'you'll be grateful for working for our American/Canadian organization, while in return you'll get a kick in the teeth and you'll be thankful for the privilege.'

I have chosen to do an MA in the UK because it is the best place in the world to study. My career is ESL and I want a qualification from those who invented the language. The cost is also a factor and that's why I'd never study for a degree in North America, unless I was a millionaire.

I think MA programmes in the UK are popular with international students because they don't charge exorbitant fees. They realize it's important for their course to be affordable. The quality of MA TESOL programmes in the UK are very high. I cannot speak about Australia.

Lastly, I will attend the University of Nottingham in England. It is ranked in the top 1% of all universities, worldwide. So, I don't know which universities you're referring to when you say they are better than a course in the UK/Australia, but the university I'm going to is independently ranked in the top 100 universities of the world.

I think it's pretty clear an MA TESOL from the University of Nottingham is one of the best in the world, the same world North Americans inhabit!