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jonjones27 · Joined: 13 Jul 2013 Posts: 7

Hello everyone, I'm rather new to this forum and I must say I have learned quite a lot regarding almost every aspect on the matter of teaching in the Middle East.

Eventhough I am not (currently) going to be teaching abroad, there is one thing which kind of disturbs my mind regarding the possibility of getting accepted as a teacher in Middle East which I've grown fond of. Just got my BA in Applied Modern Languages in 2013 and am currently going to start a 2 year MA in "British Cultural Studies".

Now here's the problem, I read tons of threads about the importance of having a related BA/MA in TESOL, English, Education but somehow it left me with a bitter taste whether I'll meet my downfall after getting my MA in the above mentioned field. The possibility of doing a different MA is out of the question due to financial/geographical issues. The MA I've chosen is (of course in English) and it's in the Language and Literature department, but the Major is English/Culture and not Literature. I am aware that a MA in Literature will get me nowhere when applying for a job in the Middle East. It also has a 4 semester of teaching practicum afterwhich I will be allowed to teach in high-schools and universities.

From what I've understood, that practicum (which is paid) has the purpose of training me in that certain field of activity and so that I can obtain my teaching credentials for high-school and above(it's in Romania btw). So my BA is certainly related but is my MA related as well? This is my uncertainty. It comes without saying I am a non-native speaker, holder of a Cambridge in Advanced English certificate, graduated an English Major French Minor High School(in Rom.) with 6 months experience in the U.K mostly lived all my life in an English environment.

In what the CELTA is concerned, that will be dealt with in due time, but for now my concern whether the MA I'll be following is or not related or if it'll diminish my chances of getting offered a job as an English teacher in the Middle East, is far greater. Any form of aiding criticism is welcome.

robbie_davies · Joined: 13 Jun 2013 Posts: 133

DLIguy · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:23 am Post subject:

I did mine in a country where the medium of language was Japanese. But, then again, it was with a well-known US uni. Never met any probs.

robbie_davies · Joined: 13 Jun 2013 Posts: 133

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

jonjones27 · Joined: 13 Jul 2013 Posts: 7

Hello everyone, would like to thank you for your advice and I am beginning to have second thoughts whether to throw myself towards this MA "British Cultural Studies" or not. A TESOL MA in Romania is practically inexistent... most of the English teachers here finish Linguistics, Modern Languages, Language + Literature, Translation Studies, Didactics and so on, with (often) the Major being English.

That being the case I am eligible for teaching English in Romania after my MA, but these are Non-Anglophone universities. The CELTA + experience part will be a cinch (later on), but I cannot be persuaded whether my MA is or isn't English Related "enough", so that I can get a job offer in the Middle East and start from a basic salary scale upwards.

Having my file picked when applying for a teaching job there or even in the U.K, seems like a shot in the dark. I am aware that maybe none of you can offer me a clear image of what my chances would be; different states/different rules but until taking the CELTA and getting some experience, I must decide whether to take this MA or look for another one, maybe in an Anglophone country, if it will make a difference since I'm a non-natice English speaker.