Job Discussion Forums

[Shroob]

Hello everyone,

A while ago I posted about studying for an M.A. via distance learning. I've decided against that as I don't think it would suit me personally. I would much prefer the classroom environment. Sorry for the following block of text, there's a lot of information.

I am currently trying to decide on what steps to take next. I'm torn between three options...each has advantages and disadvantages.

Firstly a little information about me and my situation.....I'm currently teaching English in China. I first found out about this career when handing in my dissertation at university (I have a B.A. degree in history). After researching this further I completed a CELTA course and have been in China ever since. I'm having a really good time here (just staring my 4th semester). However, if I'm honest with myself, there's not much of a future here for me. I love the job, I love the students, I love the university but realistically I could be doing the same job for the next 10 years and have nothing more to show.

So onto my dilemma. The way I see it, I have three options, each with their pros and cons:

Stay where I am

Pros

I like it here. I have a stable job, good students, good boss and relaxed lifestyle. I feel comfortable.

Cons

No professional development (I could be doing the same job for the next 10 years and little would change).
Low pay.

Teach somewhere else

Pros

I could work somewhere which would allow professional development. Somewhere with experienced teachers/teacher trainers hopefully.
I'd see a different part of the world.
Better pay(?)

Cons

The job may be terrible. The location may be terrible.

Study for an M.A.

Pros

Much better career prospects.
Become a better teacher.

Cons

Expensive.
I may not pass - this is my biggest worry, that my subject knowledge simply isn't up to it.

What I do know is that I would like to study for an M.A. sometime in the future, I just don't know when. I see an M.A. in TESOL (or related field) as not only the gateway to the world but as a providing for a stable future.

My main worry is that my knowledge of the English grammar is severely lacking. This may sound odd to those of you who may think, 'but you're teaching English', the thing is, that in China (as you probably know), the vast majority of English teachers focus only on Oral English. Which is why experience in China isn't counted for much elsewhere in the world.

Most M.A. courses I've looked at state 2 year's teaching experience as a requirement. I barely have that and in a part of the world which doesn't have the highest standards... I fear I may be rushing into things when I'm not ready. At the same time though I think it's fear that's holding me back (fear of failure - I've never been confident, at anything in life - I wanted to drop out of university as I thought I'd fail, but I got a first class degree).

So I'd really like to hear your opinions. Especially those of you on/have completed an M.A. in Applied Linguistics/TESOL (or related area - there's a lot of acronyms in this game!). And especially about your background (degree, experience, qualifications etc.) and your knowledge of grammar/English before the course began.

My next problem is deciding which, if any, M.A. would be best for me. I've already decided that I will return to my home town where my family is (to cut down costs - I've been saving for an M.A. for some time). Luckily I come from a university town which has two universities both of which have TEFL related M.A.s (one of which is where I did my CELTA course).

The two courses on offer are:
1) M.A. in English Language Teaching
2) M.A. in Applied Linguistics with TESOL

Both of these course have modules which interest me. I've been looking through the job adverts on Dave's and those that list an M.A. as a requirement usually say 'M.A. in TESOL', is the wording of the degree important? Or will employers not mind so much?

Thanks again for your time.

[tttompatz]

Before you go down the path of a MA (and I am not trying to talk you out of it) perhaps it might better suit your future to decide what you want to do then look at the path to get there rather than spend the money and discover it wasn't where you wanted to go.

It you plan to stay in or move up in the tertiary sector then an MA leading to perhaps a PhD (along with workshop/seminar presentations and publications) will probably be necessary (see you at the AELF forum next Oct.)

If you want to work in a school (K-12) then a PGCE / add-on B.Ed and working toward QTS /teacher certification would probably be a better investment in the long run. End run will be M.Ed and working toward admin type jobs as you get older. The nice thing is that the remuneration packages can be quite lucrative.

If you are more inclined to classroom work or moving into DOS type positions in the private sector (k-12 or language academies, etc) then a DELTA / DipT might be more appropriate and let you move up a bit while still staying in the classroom.

An MATESOL is typically long on theory and short on practice so it won't necessarily make you a better teacher but you should better understand the field of TESOL (the whys and wherefores if not the how).

Picking the direction is up to you. The pathways to get there are pretty obvious once you get past the, "I need to get a better job to make more money," phase of it all.

.

[Shroob]

[HLJHLJ]

What's the rush? You've only been teaching 3 semesters. You like your job, you're happy where you are, what's the hurry to be moving onwards and upwards?

My advice would be stay put until your current job doesn't seem so great anymore. Right now you don't really 'need' anything, so it's a big decision to make. You may well find things don't seem so rosy in a couple of years, and you'll be in a much better position then to decide. Maybe you'll still love the job but have had enough of China, so you'll know you need that MA to make the jump to the ME. Maybe you'll be sick of teaching English, so a History MA might be more appealing. Maybe you won't want to live abroad anymore and you'll need to decide which route to take (English or History) to break into teaching in your home country. Who knows which way you'll want to go?

If you are really worried about being stuck in a rut for 10 years set yourself a time limit, 2 more years, 3 more years, whatever you think is right for you. Aside from anything else, you'll get more out of a theory based MATESOL if you have more experience under your belt. So don't feel pressured to jump right now, just enjoy your current job until you are ready to move on.

[Shroob]

[HLJHLJ]