Job Discussion Forums

[la dolce vita]

Sorry, I did a searcht and there are quite a lot of topics about this already, but I couldn't find any about a situation similar to mine

I've been teaching for almost 5 years now in Korea and China with a BA (language but not teaching related) and I've decided that I should get some qualifications to improve my prospects etc

2 Questions

I would much prefer to do this online so I can continue to work rather than saving up and then going back to england to live as a student. Is this a good idea or would the fact I do a qualification online put employers off in the future?

A lot of people have told me that it would be pointless doing a DELTA or something similar since I already have a bit of experience, so should I do a masters?

[Justin Trullinger]

I think you should start by reading up on training that's available, and what pre-requisites are for different courses.

Let me see if I'm reading this right- you don't actually have any teaching qualifications at this point, though you do have a little experience.

I doubt you actually could do a DELTA. DELTA is a higher level diploma which is usually done a couple of years or more after initial qualifications. The CELTA is the entry level qualification from the same organisation, but there are a number of good certificate programs that are equivalent.

I'm guessing you're from the UK- there are a number of UK universities that have excellent distance Masters programs in this area...but honestly I would not recommend that route to you at this time.

IF you decide to get a masters, do it onsite. Otherwise you'll have an expensive qualification and still have done no actual observed teaching as part of a qualification. This wouldn't impress me on a resume.

An alternative might be to start with an initial qualification (such as CELTA or similar, which are short courses and wouldn't interupt your worklife too much) and see how you like it.

Maybe you'd decide on a DELTA or similar after that. Maybe you'd decide on an MA. At that point, if you've got an initial qualification involving observed teaching, it wouldn't matter so much if your masters was a distance course.

I get the feeling that you're thinking you should skip to high level qualifications, but for the market's I'm familiar with, this really wouldn't be a good idea. It would just leave some holes in your resume.

You've got a little experience, no training. Putting a distance MA on top of this isn't going to change a lot. It might open a few doors in terms of working in places that don't care who they hire but need some MAs to keep admin (or immigration) happy. It won't get you in everywhere, though- and given the cost of a Masters, I personally would want to get in most everywhere with it.


Best,
Justin

[la dolce vita]

thanks for the tips

I don't have any teaching qualifications. but a few people have told me that CELTA is aimed at people before they start teaching and that having a few years experience would make it a waste of time for me. is this true?

Ideally I'm looking for something where I can do the majority of it online since I'm living in China, and then maybe complete the practical parts more quickly onsite somewhere

[nickpellatt]

Do a CELTA or similar.

I did mine two years after I had been teaching. I had 18 months experience in China, and had done two summer seasons in the UK. Even though it is an entry level qualification, and only a month in length, it taught me that I was not really doing a very good job as a teacher. Lots of my classroom habits were at worst, bad...at best, inefficient.

Having experience on a resume doesnt actually show anything about teaching ability...I guess employers would assume that post course experience is more valuable in that it is fair to assume one should then be teaching as taught ... and CELTA etc do at least point you in the direction of how one should be teaching.

I was very well prepared for my course, and I had researched enough to realise that my experience was likely to be more hindrance than help. Dont disregard the course a being entry-level, and feel you are beyond that. Chances are that you arent.

I've worked in 3 schools in China now...and will shortly do my fourth summer season in the Uk, in all honesty...I havent really met a teacher who does what I consider a good job, unless they have had recognised teacher training courses such as CELTA. This includes certified subject teachers too! In fairness, even a CELTA is no guarantee of teaching ability, but at least its a start...Id defo do that before thinking about a Masters.

[tttompatz]

Take a month off - head for Thailand (or similar) and do the CELTA or a recognized / accredited TESOL cert.

A CELTA can be done in a 1 month intensive course (and the cost of living in Thailand is low).

DELTA can be done in 3 months (intensive) or over the course of a year or so if you want to work and do it on your vacation breaks or between contracts.

An on-line TESOL/ESL/EFL cert. won't help you anywhere except Korea or for your own personal development since there is no classroom component or observed teaching and evaluations of same.

DELTA or MATESOL??

That would largely depend on what you want to do in the future.

Teaching theory at a university = MATESOL.
Practical teaching = DELTA.

.

[mozzar]

With the DELTA now being split into 3 different sections it is now possible for you to do modules 1 and 3 online, with only module 2 being in the classroom. You can also choose to do the modules with different companies so it works out as more convinient for you.

[la dolce vita]

ok, sounds like i should start with a CELTA...

of course i've learned a shedload just from teaching so many different students etc, but my theory is pretty poor

[NOT HUIJIA]

[Justin Trullinger]

Ummm.

Sorry I didn't impress you? Or...not sure how much I'm supposed to care.

Maybe I should have been broader in my answer, but you're taking me out of context.

I don't discount distance Master's programs at all, smugly or otherwise. I'm currently enrolled on a rather good distance Master's degree program, and with luck will complete it soon.

Some do, and some don't have teaching practicums, you are very right.

BUt those that are completely at distance mostly do NOT have a chance to be observed by quality teacher trainers. My Masters program, through Aston University does not offer this, though it's a pretty decent degree. University of B'ham doesn't either, though it's arguably one of the most famous and prestigious distance master's programs in the world of TEFL.

So I don't know where you get "smug dismissal" or "lack of knowledge."

But to clarify, lest I be misread.

TO THE OP, IN HIS SPECIFIC SITUATION:

You are currently considering doing your first ever teaching qualification. Though you have experience, it doesn't replace training. THerefore, your first teaching qualification should have some face-time with real teacher trainers, who get to see you teach. I would recommend CELTA or similar to start, then take it from there. BUT IF YOU DO DECIDE TO DO A MASTERS, WHICH YOU SAID YOU WERE CONSIDERING, YOU SHOULD DO IT ONSITE FOR THESE REASONS.

The aforewritten is aimed at the originator of this particular thread, attempting to give the writer specific advice for his specific situation.

Other folks, depending on their prior experience and training, might do very well with distance study. But remember that most of the best Master's degree programs are NOT designed as entry level training.


Best,
Justin

[michgreen]

If you do a distance MA and you are teaching, you can have your DOS, the lead teacher, or whoever deals with the faculty/staff to do observations /evaluations of your teaching.

I did this for an American teacher in Beijing who was doing his MA through Macquarie University. After a lengthy correspondence with Macquarie (and documentation of my credentials), I was deemed acceptable to observe and evaluate this teacher over the course of a year.

Nothing is impossible if you ask.

[Sadebugo]

[J.M.A.]

Is your teaching practice sound and how do you feel about studying theory? Depending on what you believe, a masters may not be out of the question. In an ideal world, do the CELTA and start the masters both asap.

[mozzar]