Job Discussion Forums

[RL]

I am considering doing this MA and wanted to get the forum's opinion as to whether it would be useful/open doors in the teaching world. I could do it while I maintain my current full-time job (it is offered at the university in the town in which I live), and it would take 7 semesters to complete. It is officially called "MAED:English as a Second Language." It takes 33 course hours to complete;however, it does not provide state certification, in that it would not allow me to teach ESL in my state K-12 schools. The director of the program told me it would allow me to work in English language institutes at various colleges in the States. My main motivation for doing it would be to open doors/allow for advancement abroad. Here is a list and description of the courses:

1) Second Language Acquisition - the course provides an in-depth look at major theories of second language acquisition. Students explore learning environments, programs, home language, culture, and other factors that influence second language acquisition.

2) Grammar for ESL Teachers - this course is a critical study of aspects of modern English grammar important for the teaching of English as a second language (ESL) or Foreign Language (EFL).

3) Phonology for ESL Teachers - this learner-centered course is an introduction to phonology and its application to the teaching of English as a second or foreign language.

4) Teaching English in a Global Context - this course provies a sociolinguistic perspective on the globalization of English and on the emergence and teaching of English as an international language.

5) Teaching Adult Language Learners - this course introduces goals, principles, and practices for teaching English to adult learners, addresses the influence of varying backgrounds on adult language learning, and examines ways to evaluate adults' second language development.

6) Methods for Teaching English as an International Language - this course prepares students to teach English as an international language by using methods, strategies, and techniques appropriate for adults in ESL contexts and for all learners in EFL contexts.

7) Instruction and Assessment: Reading and Writing - this course addresses linguistic, sociocultural, psychological, and educational factors that affect literacy development of English as an additional language.

Instruction and Assessment: Listening and Speaking - this course examines how spoken communication is structured so that it is socially appropriate and linguistically accurate.

9) Field Studies in Teaching/Learning ESL - prospective ESL/EFL teachers shadow instructors of ESL classes or of graduate classes in academic English and/or provide one-on-one instruction to international scholars and students.

10) Practicum Seminar in Adult English Language Teaching - this inquiry-focused course guides emerging teachers in experiencing the differentiated facets of working in adult ESL and EFL environments. Students must log 100 clock hours in classrooms, English language teaching institutions, and in research.

11) ESL Practicum: Adult ELLs - after doing structured observations of professional ESL educators and participating in the corresponding debriefings, apprentice teachers engage in the full scope of ESL teaching activities. They plan and deliver lessons, evaluate learners and their language development, and conduct managerial tasks and other appropriate duties. Students must log 100 clock hours to pass.

In addition to the above, students must complete 100 hours of "pre-practicum" hours co-teaching in the university's English conversation classes, tutoring adult English learners or observing ESL teachers. This pre-practicum experience is to begin with the first course listed above.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts/opinions you may share on this MA.

RL

[nomad soul]

[robbie_davies]

Looks really interesting if I am being honest, I would love to get stuck into some of those modules than the complete and utter dirge I had to study.

[RL]

Nomad Soul: Thank you for the reply and the link to the other thread. I will read through it.

As to your questions, I thought it would have some use, but didn't know if it would be worth it from a time perspective, and it if would allow me to progress up the ladder so to speak. As to where I want to teach, don't know, maybe Eastern Europe, Turkey, Middle East.

Thanks again for your help.

[RL]

Nomad Soul: to further answer your question, I would like to know if this MA would open the door to teaching in U.S. International schools.

[spiral78]

International schools sometimes hire some EFL teachers, but the bigger focus is firmly on core subjects; they usually want teachers who are certified to teach a core subject (math, science, etc.) in their home countries, and with a couple years of experience doing that, at least.

It's fairly rare for an EFL/ESL MA to find an international school position, I believe, though not unheard of. Not sure I'd personally pursue this degree with the goal of an international school gig in mind.

[RL]

Thanks Spiral78!

[nomad soul]

[rtm]

The program looks pretty well-rounded. It's good that it includes classes on assessment, SLA theory, and a practicum.

[RL]

RTM - thanks for the reply. Thanks for the info about getting a job at an IEP. As to your question, I will answer it in a round about way. I read a lot on this forum that the TEFL certificate is the minimum for the TEFL industry and with it, one is limited to their career options. I would like to do this MA for really 2 reasons: 1) it would allow me to get started in the conversation classes right away to let me know if language teaching is something I like to do (as opposed to dropping everything and heading overseas only to discover I don't like it) (my current career is not related to teaching at all); and 2) it would allow, hopefully, for more career opportunities than just the TEFL certificate. Whether those other career opportunities are in a university, private company, language school, international school (doubt it), I just don't know, that is one of the reasons I posted on here.

Again, much thanks to all who have taken the time to read my lengthy original post and provide a reply.

[nomad soul]

[tttompatz]

[rtm]

[RL]

So I started the Master's program described above. I'm taking the first course, Second Language Acquisition. I must admit. I don't like it. Too theoretical for my taste. Once a week, though, we (students in the MA program) teach a English conversation class to local ELL's in the community. So far, I enjoy the conversation classes and interacting with the students. My question to the forum is whether a TEFL course is concerned more with teaching students the practical aspects of teaching, like, here's how you create a lesson plan, as opposed to the theoretical aspects of learning a second langue?

Thanks.

RL

[spiral78]