|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:29 pm Post subject: Best Master's Degrees? |
 |
|
Hey everyone,
I am new to this forum, but I have spend hours on it trying to figure out what is the best way to impress employers while also meeting the new visa requirements on the U.S (the one that requires a relevant degree).
I am looking to apply to Master's programs that I can do while I gain teaching experience. So I have two questions:
1) Since they are only accepting English, Linguistics, and TESOL degrees, which of the three would employers be looking for most?
2) I reside in NYC. Any chance anyone here knows a good 2 year program that I would be able to do while teaching that is not overly expensive?
And finally: in terms of salary, how much of a difference does a Master's degree make anyways? If I can get in now with just my Bachelor's and two years of teaching (and CELTA of course), should I go for it? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| soheeb16 wrote: |
I am new to this forum, but I have spend hours on it trying to figure out what is the best way to impress employers while also meeting the new visa requirements on the U.S (the one that requires a relevant degree). I am looking to apply to Master's programs that I can do while I gain teaching experience. So I have two questions:
1) Since they are only accepting English, Linguistics, and TESOL degrees, which of the three would employers be looking for most? |
Frankly, any of the three if that's what you see they're accepting. There's no absolute, one degree that fits the mold. Look at a number of job postings to figure out which one you want to pursue. Better yet, decide on the one that fits your interests and goals.
| and wrote: |
| 2) I reside in NYC. Any chance anyone here knows a good 2 year program that I would be able to do while teaching that is not overly expensive? |
That's something you'll have to research since no one knows your budget, interests, schedule, study habits... Plus, you're in NY and we're not.
| and lastly wrote: |
| ...in terms of salary, how much of a difference does a Master's degree make anyways? If I can get in now with just my Bachelor's and two years of teaching (and CELTA of course), should I go for it? |
Unless the salary is posted, you'd have to apply to find out; there are several variables that could determine salary. In terms of getting employment in the Kingdom now---again, that's your decision. Your qualifications are minimal, which means taking a position with a contracting company and very likely getting into a crappy teaching situation. Read up on these companies---there's plenty of info on this site about working for them.
You asked some basic questions that you really should have been able to research and answer on your own. Others may disagree, but I sense you may not have the type of personality to handle living/working in Saudi Arabia. (You might also be quite young.) Anyway, I strongly suggest you spend a bunch more hours, days, weeks... reading through these forum threads to get a better idea of the job situation as well as life and work here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 4:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| You asked some basic questions that you really should have been able to research and answer on your own. Others may disagree, but I sense you may not have the type of personality to handle living/working in Saudi Arabia. (You might also be quite young.) Anyway, I strongly suggest you spend a bunch more hours, days, weeks... reading through these forum threads to get a better idea of the job situation as well as life and work here. |
Thanks for the advice.
I agree that research is important. I have done quite a bit of research, and I know I have much more to do, but I was just interested in hearing this forum's opinion. I should have expected the answer to the salary question to be "it depends" but I had not seen any previous discussion on which degrees are best for ESL teaching in Saudi. I was hoping to find out if employers frequently favored one type over others, but from your response, it seems this is not the case. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
depending on the employer, you might find a DELTA carries more weight than a Master's because it's a much more rigorous and standardised qualification. During my Aramco interview, my Master's in Applied Linguistics/TESOL was passed over for my DELTA on which I was questioned at length.
When it came to pay though, I used both to my advantage  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, the Delta slipped my mind. From what I have read and discussed with others, it seems it is both a good alternative to a Master's as well as a good supplement; after reading your experience, it seems the Master's may be the supplement to the DELTA.
If I am able to find a position, this is the plan I am considering: after teaching for 2 years, I can return for a summer to do the DELTA (as I would now have the 2 years ESL teaching prerequisite to take the course). Then, I would go back to teach with this new qualification and a decent footing.
This sounds like a reasonable plan to me, but I welcome anyone to tear it apart (with constructive criticism, hopefully). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Dear soheeb16,
Don't forget that your salary will almost certainly be figured from the date you get the last degree/certification.
Any and all years of previous teaching experience won't be counted.
Regards,
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
johnslat,
Sorry, I don't understand. How would two years of ESL experience within the country not help get a better salary? Also, the DELTA would be a new certification I would be using; so that would help, correct? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| soheeb16 wrote: |
| If I can get in now with just my Bachelor's and two years of teaching (and CELTA of course), should I go for it? |
| but then wrote: |
| If I am able to find a position, this is the plan I am considering: after teaching for 2 years, I can return for a summer to do the DELTA (as I would now have the 2 years ESL teaching prerequisite to take the course). |
Hmm... In your initial post, you stated that you already have a couple of years of teaching experience. Yet you then write that a position in Saudi Arabia will give you the requisite two years of English language teaching experience you need to enter a summer Delta course. If you actually have two years under your belt now, why not take the Delta sooner? However, if you currently lack EFL experience (i.e., you've been teaching some other content/subject), your chances of getting hired for a job in the Kingdom have dropped to nil---an unrelated BA + a CELTA aren't enough. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I actually am teaching English from next year. I also have other relevant experience. I also don't plan on leaving just yet as I am still building my resume. I didn't start this thread to discuss my experience. I know what I need to do to meet their minimum standards and get in.
Getting in I can take care of, but I am trying to find out how to stand out and have leverage and growth opportunities. Hence, the Masters and Delta are what I am looking at. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| soheeb16 wrote: |
| I am trying to find out how to stand out and have leverage and growth opportunities. Hence, the Masters and Delta are what I am looking at. |
they won't make you stand out particularly, they'll just make you qualified. Perhaps getting many years experience with technical training, ESP or EAP for example, or tertiary education, or being a Muslim or speaking Arabic would make you stand out.... on top of a Master's and DELTA. Otherwise, you'll just be one of the crowd here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| they won't make you stand out particularly, they'll just make you qualified. Perhaps getting many years experience with technical training, ESP or EAP for example, or tertiary education, or being a Muslim or speaking Arabic would make you stand out.... on top of a Master's and DELTA. Otherwise, you'll just be one of the crowd here. |
Good point. I was looking at was the PY positions, as I heard those are possible to get with a Bachlor's and 2 experience (I know this from someone who just taught a year there with little experience and an irrevlevant Balchor's). I understand that's not the best position to be in, but my hopes were it would get me 2 years relevant exeaprience and qualify me to take the Delta course.
Also, I am Muslim and I know some Arabic. I would seek to be fluent once I am there. I have actually heard being Muslim or knowing Arabic doesn't help much, and they prefer Native Europeans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| soheeb16 wrote: |
| being Muslim or knowing Arabic doesn't help much, and they prefer Native Europeans. |
er... you can be a Native European and an Arabic speaking Muslim... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Since you're in New York you could go to SUNY .
Last edited by plumpy nut on Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
soheeb16
Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
I meant they prefer Caucasians. As I continue digging through this forum, its seems there is truth behind that. Maybe its more of an issue with recruiters? But I don't know; I'll hope for the best.
As for the Masters, I am starting to think whatever I do, it has to be quick. I am also learning that Saudis care about post-last-certification experience the most. I now understand what johnslat meant. I mean... it can't mean that they just throw away the years prior, right? If, for example, I do 2 years PY and then get the DELTA (which wouldn't be possible without the 2 years of experience), then those 2 years go to waste? Am I trading my 2 years for a DELTA? It sounds so bizarre.
Oh and the education degree won't get me past the new "relevant degree" wall, though I agree it would make more sense flexibility wise. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| soheeb16 wrote: |
| I meant they prefer Caucasians. As I continue digging through this forum, its seems there is truth behind that. Maybe its more of an issue with recruiters? But I don't know; I'll hope for the best. |
I don't know where you "dug up" that assumption, but that's not the case. For the most part, employers prefer native English speakers with relevant qualifications.
| and wrote: |
As for the Masters, I am starting to think whatever I do, it has to be quick. I am also learning that Saudis care about post-last-certification experience the most. I now understand what johnslat meant. I mean... it can't mean that they just throw away the years prior, right? If, for example, I do 2 years PY and then get the DELTA (which wouldn't be possible without the 2 years of experience), then those 2 years go to waste? Am I trading my 2 years for a DELTA? It sounds so bizarre.
Oh and the education degree won't get me past the new "relevant degree" wall, though I agree it would make more sense flexibility wise. |
Having a Delta as your highest credential will put you out of the running for positions that specifically require a relevant MA. Frankly, instead of racing to get a Delta and then an MA a couple of years later, why not look for a master's program that includes a supervised teaching practice component? For example, my MA in Teaching (MAT) required me to complete a semester-long ESOL practicum, which is conveniently indicated on my transcript as my final graded course. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
