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Online MA in TEFL questions

 
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daniel_hayes



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 2:09 pm    Post subject: Online MA in TEFL questions Reply with quote

I live in Spain and work as a teacher here in sunny Valencia. I have been thinking about ways to progress my career -- either in Spain or elsewhere.

I have a CELTA, a BA and MA in English Literature. But no PGCE or MA in TEFL, or DELTA.

First, what would be the best qualification to take. It's about making me better as a teacher, and making me more attractive to employers, in places like M.East and Asia.

Can anybody recommend a reputable and well-respected online provider for the MA. I want do find an MA that employers respect. How much should one pay for a decent online MA?

And also, what are the major differences between the DELTA and the MA in TEFL ----- I mean in terms of employment prospects and potential to improve.

Many thanks in advance.
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fluffyhamster



Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 2:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The DELTA will help with getting into the more managerial positions in language schools, or into teacher training, whilst an MA is essentially for getting positions doing whatever in universities. (For example, I haven't seen many university adverts asking for a DELTA rather than an MA, though of course some applicants could have both). From what I understand, you might need to check on the acceptability of (or possibility of an employer being able to find out about) distance versus on-site MAs if applying for jobs in the Middle East. Unfortunately the more respected MA providers (e.g. Birmingham, UK, look at their professors they've had and their publications for a start!) will often also be the more expensive.
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daniel_hayes



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How does my 'regular' MA stand-me? I have a BA and MA from good British Universities, in English Literature. I read that the M.East schools will like that?
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fluffyhamster



Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oops, sorry, I forgot to address that! TBH I'm not entirely sure. There might IIRC be some relevant discussions on e.g. the Japan forum. I guess it comes down to the particular job ad/hiring institute if they require only "any old" MA or a specifically relevant one.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

daniel_hayes wrote:
I have been thinking about ways to progress my career -- either in Spain or elsewhere. I have a CELTA, a BA and MA in English Literature. But no PGCE or MA in TEFL, or DELTA. First, what would be the best qualification to take. It's about making me better as a teacher, and making me more attractive to employers, in places like M.East and Asia.

I can't answer for Asia, but your English Lit MA might be fine for some Mid East employers. However, if you want to progress in your TEFL career and make yourself more competitive for university jobs (in any part of the world), then add the DELTA or better yet, a relevant MA. Although you haven't indicated what your teaching experience has entailed, but for Mid East jobs, also consider beefing up your current experience by focusing on academic writing, curriculum design, language test design, and/or teaching with technology (or ensure these subjects are part of your MA program). Of course, if you want to teach English lit instead of EFL, then seek out a PhD program.

I always suggest looking at job ads for the region and type of teaching situation you're interested in to see what employers' desirables or preferences are in terms of their ideal candidate. Use that information as a guide when determining the specific skills or knowledge you need to acquire.
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spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm in the same boat as you, looking at a DELTA vs. MA in TESOL. Currently the MA program that appeals to me the most is the offered by The New School. Expensive, but looks like they're trying to become the industry standard.
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daniel_hayes



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 177

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spanglish, how expensive are we talking? The Delta costs about �2,000.

And Nomas Soul, I am not over over-burdened by class-room experience, hence I more than ready to learn new and modern techniques to help me and my students .................. a very nice way of saying I only have a year's experience, and I have taught 99% adults, here in Spain and in England too.

I would love to teach English Lit, but you think I need a Phd to do that? Can one do a Phd by distance?
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spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A touch over 30K USD...American style expensive.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

daniel_hayes wrote:
I would love to teach English Lit, but you think I need a Phd to do that? Can one do a Phd by distance?

I personally don't know about PhD programs offered completely via distance learning but suggest you do an Internet search using phd distance english literature. As with all degrees obtained online, whether Mid East employers would accept it, well...

You'd definitely need a doctorate to teach English lit at the university level in the Mid East. By the way, academic credentials are key in this part of the world. The more "initials" you have after your name, the better. Smile
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fluffyhamster



Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm curious why the New School MA would really appeal academically, especially at 30K USD. (The details provided are very thin - only "two concentrations, teaching and curriculum development", the first of which is surely a general course - and the only "name" is Scott Thornbury, who would appear to be only giving a guest lecture or two; then, none of the 3-member principal faculty have a PhD, and one doesn't even have an MA, just a DELTA). Is it the "faculty advisors offering guidance to students as they create self-designed programs of study" (hmm, you could create self-designed programs of study yourself for free...and this isn't a PhD, remember), and/or the option to do a bit of it on an intensive summer program in Greenwich Village (and is part intensive on-site really that unique?).
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spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

fluffyhamster wrote:
I'm curious why the New School MA would really appeal academically, especially at 30K USD. (The details provided are very thin - only "two concentrations, teaching and curriculum development", the first of which is surely a general course - and the only "name" is Scott Thornbury, who would appear to be only giving a guest lecture or two; then, none of the 3-member principal faculty have a PhD, and one doesn't even have an MA, just a DELTA). Is it the "faculty advisors offering guidance to students as they create self-designed programs of study" (hmm, you could create self-designed programs of study yourself for free...and this isn't a PhD, remember), and/or the option to do a bit of it on an intensive summer program in Greenwich Village (and is part intensive on-site really that unique?).


Good points and I have some of the same questions. They have Thornbury and Harmer on their faculty and it appears that they teach full classes, not just guest lectures.

I agree that for such an expensive degree they should offer more options and flexibility and it's strange to see so few PhD's among their faculty. It appears that the 'unique' part of the program is that they have the 2 biggest names in TESOL on their faculty and offer perhaps the most interactive online program out there.

In the end they'll have to answer these questions or provide compelling counter-arguments in order for me to sign on with the program. The bit of chatter online I see about the program indicates that it's very well regarded and I'll have to find out exactly why that is. If nothing else, I'd like to have the opportunity to study one-on-one with Thornbury for an extended period of time. I also like that the program director is from Uruguay and has a lot of experience there.
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smedini



Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 178

PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Masters of Applied Linguistics, through distance, with the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. It was a very good program and was fairly inexpensive given the strength of my local currency over the years. I plan to head to the UAE next year and was told there by a major employer (college system, not recruiter) that it was a "well-respected qualification".

I learned a lot in the program and felt the standards were quite high. Since graduating a number of years ago, I've finished a CELTA and most of the DELTA (to be finished completely in December), and found that the MA really helped me prepare for both while it significantly complemented the latter. The degree also helped me land a coordinating position in a government-funded school here at home.

As advised somewhere above, make sure the country that you want to work in accepts distance degrees. In the UAE for instance, they are NOT accepted by the Ministry of Education (p-12) but they ARE accepted by the Ministry of HIGHER Education (colleges, unis, etc). I believe I read somewhere a while ago that they are not accepted anywhere in Kuwait, but I could be wrong. Searching around will get you those answers, for sure Smile

IMHO,
~smedini
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