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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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 Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Yes, this would go above and beyond what is required by most employers who require a TEFL certificate. It's a high-quality program with good breadth and depth (nearly half of an MA). |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 12:22 am Post subject: |
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| zugora wrote: |
So this is the graduated certificate TESL program that I am also looking into: http://www.memphis.edu/english/gradstudents/eslcertificate.php
It is offered by the university in which I work and the certificate course can either be taken online or in-person (except for the practicum teaching course). So, would this certificate course (with a B'Ed. and M'Ed) be widely accepted in most countries? And if so, which countries might those be? I don't care if it is entry level or not. Thank you so much for your input, everyone.
ENGL 7531, History/Theory of ESL
ENGl7532, Skills Assessment in ESL
ENGL7535, ESL Grammar
One elective in ESL: ENGL 7533, 7536, 7537, 7538, or 6533
ENGL7530, the ESL Practicum |
Yes, it's quite acceptable, especially since it includes a practical component. Plus, it's through a US accredited university. However, if you're completing it online, again, it won't be accepted by all international employers. But you never know, so certainly apply for whatever jobs interest you.
A question:
In both your threads, you stated your education as:
BFA - Music Education and Music
MA - Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
Is that what employers will see on your original diplomas, or do your credentials indicate "B.Ed." and "M.A. in Education" respectively? |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 12:40 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| zugora wrote: |
So this is the graduated certificate TESL program that I am also looking into: http://www.memphis.edu/english/gradstudents/eslcertificate.php
It is offered by the university in which I work and the certificate course can either be taken online or in-person (except for the practicum teaching course). So, would this certificate course (with a B'Ed. and M'Ed) be widely accepted in most countries? And if so, which countries might those be? I don't care if it is entry level or not. Thank you so much for your input, everyone.
ENGL 7531, History/Theory of ESL
ENGl7532, Skills Assessment in ESL
ENGL7535, ESL Grammar
One elective in ESL: ENGL 7533, 7536, 7537, 7538, or 6533
ENGL7530, the ESL Practicum |
Yes, it's quite acceptable, especially since it includes a practical component. Plus, it's through a US accredited university.
A question:
In both your threads, you state your education as:
BFA - Music Education and Music
MA - Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
Is that what employers will see on your original diplomas, or do your credentials indicate "B.Ed." and "M.A. in Education" respectively? |
Thank you, RTM and Nomad Soul. I appreciate your feedback. This is good news then. 
Nomad Soul, my degrees are a little complicated for the international hiring committee to understand (and even to native English speakers). LOL.
So, here's the run-down. I have a BFA in Music Education (which the BFA is actually an "extended" B'Ed.). I took all of the required B'Ed courses PLUS the BFA courses for Music and Music Education. The BFA is a longer degree program (more extensive), therefore, BFA trumps BA on the credentials. I typically discuss that I have a B'Ed with education people because they don't understand that the BFA was actually B'Ed PLUS all of the Music and Music Education requirements. It was practically a double-major that had the more extensive BFA. The reason why it wasn't a double major (BFA Music and B'Ed Music Education) is that there were a few courses that overlapped.
With my M'Ed, the program was technically called, "MA in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education". However, most people do not understand what the heck this means and many nearly equivalent programs call this "Higher Education Administration" also obtained through departments of education. However, my specific program was geared also for people who want to be administrators for non-profits and/or other learning organizations that aren't specifically "Higher Education". This particular MA program dealt a lot with how adult learners grasp and process information for learning and what their particular needs are.
That complicated crap being said, I'm not sure how I should list or describe my education when I start applying for jobs abroad. I'm guessing I have to supply copies of my diplomas or transcripts, so I suppose I will just list what is listed there. However, it's complicated and I wish there was a way I could articulate this to hiring committees. I also fear that they won't understand these degrees and by listing BFA or MA , they may not know how to interpret this and would disqualify me. What would you recommend? Thanks again!
Last edited by Monchi on Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:26 am Post subject: |
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| zugora wrote: |
| nomad soul wrote: |
A question:
In both your threads, you state your education as:
BFA - Music Education and Music
MA - Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
Is that what employers will see on your original diplomas, or do your credentials indicate "B.Ed." and "M.A. in Education" respectively? |
Nomad Soul, my degrees are a little complicated for the international hiring committee to understand (and even to native English speakers). LOL.
So, here's the run-down. I have a BFA in Music Education (which the BFA is actually an "extended" B'Ed.). I took all of the required B'Ed courses PLUS the BFA courses for Music and Music Education. The BFA is a longer degree program (more extensive), therefore, BFA trumps BA on the credentials. I typically discuss that I have a B'Ed with education people because they don't understand that the BFA was actually B'Ed PLUS all of the Music and Music Education requirements. It was practically a double-major that had the more extensive BFA. The reason why it wasn't a double major (BFA Music and B'Ed Music Education) is that there were a few courses that overlapped.
With my M'Ed, the program was technically called, "MA in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education". However, most people do not understand what the heck this means and many nearly equivalent programs call this "Higher Education Administration" also obtained through departments of education. However, my specific program was geared also for people who want to be administrators for non-profits and/or other learning organizations that aren't specifically "Higher Education". This particular MA program dealt a lot with how adult learners learn.
That complicated crap being said, I'm not sure how I should list or describe my education when I start applying for jobs abroad. I'm guessing I have to supply copies of my diplomas or transcripts, so I suppose I will just list what is listed there? But it's complicated and I wish there was a way I could articulate this to hiring committees. I also fear that they won't understand these degrees and by listing BFA or MA in "Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education", they may not know how to interpret this. What would you recommend? Thanks again!! |
I have an MA in Teaching (MAT) in Multidisciplinary Studies with a TEFL focus. (My university now issues diplomas that state "Master of Arts in Teaching" only.) Since my degree major could be misconstrued as an actual subject, I listed my eight TEFL courses on my CV, right under my degree, when I first started teaching. But from my second TEFL job on, I now simply put "MA in Teaching, TEFL focus with 130-hour ESOL practicum" and that seems to do the trick. Obviously, my degree is specific to teaching, but you might use this strategy by including your specific education/teaching-related courses (e.g., curriculum design, testing and assessment, adult learning theory, etc.) to make it easier for employers to evaluate your education, especially if they're only going by what's printed on your diploma. It's worth a shot but will be a hard sell. |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:37 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
I have an MA in Teaching (MAT) in Multidisciplinary Studies with a TEFL focus. (My university now issues diplomas that state "Master of Arts in Teaching" only.) Since my degree major could be misconstrued as an actual subject, I listed my eight TEFL courses on my CV, right under my degree, when I first started teaching. But from my second TEFL job on, I now simply put "MA in Teaching, TEFL focus with 130-hour ESOL practicum" and that seems to do the trick. Obviously, my degree is specific to teaching, but you might use this strategy by including your specific education/teaching-related courses (e.g., curriculum design, testing and assessment, adult learning theory, etc.) to make it easier for employers to evaluate your education, especially if they're only going by what's printed on your diploma. It's worth a shot but will be a hard sell. |
Thank you! This is great advice. Yes, I think I should probably do something similar. Great tips!
I'm thinking:
BFA: Music Education (and perhaps I could list the core education cores here and number of total credits)
MA: Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
TESL/TEFL Graduate Certificate: (list the 5 courses along with the number of hours of practicum teaching, and of course mention the name of the university).
Do you think this would be clear enough? |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:48 am Post subject: |
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| zugora wrote: |
I'm thinking:
BFA: Music Education (and perhaps I could list the core education cores here and number of total credits)
MA: Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
TESL/TEFL Graduate Certificate: (list the 5 courses along with the number of hours of practicum teaching, and of course mention the name of the university).
Do you think this would be clear enough? |
| zugora wrote: |
EDUCATION:
BFA - Music Education and Music (completed full education program's requirements along with the full music education's requirements).
MA - Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
TESOL (anticipated 2015) Online 120-150 our course certification - Unfortunately, I cannot attend an in-person program). |
Absolutely clear.
You should work out just fine in Asia.
. |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:58 am Post subject: |
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| suphanburi wrote: |
| zugora wrote: |
I'm thinking:
BFA: Music Education (and perhaps I could list the core education cores here and number of total credits)
MA: Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
TESL/TEFL Graduate Certificate: (list the 5 courses along with the number of hours of practicum teaching, and of course mention the name of the university).
Do you think this would be clear enough? |
| zugora wrote: |
EDUCATION:
BFA - Music Education and Music (completed full education program's requirements along with the full music education's requirements).
MA - Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
TESOL (anticipated 2015) Online 120-150 our course certification - Unfortunately, I cannot attend an in-person program). |
Absolutely clear.
You should work out just fine in Asia.
. |
Yes, Suphanburi, as I mentioned in the posts above, I just discovered that the online TESL/TEFL graduate program that is offered through the university in which I work offers online courses as well as in-person courses. This is why those items you highlighted so carefully above have changed. I am able to participate in the practicum teaching course through this program, but UNABLE to take all of the courses in-person.
Last edited by Monchi on Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:24 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:11 am Post subject: |
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As RTM has mentioned to me in a private message, most places in Asia don't require a certificate at all (and I have also heard that to be true from other people I know). If that is the case and if what Suphanburi says is true about only working in Asia, I'm beginning to wonder if I should even obtain this certificate through my university.
Can someone else clarify and comment on about where I could potentially get hired with this particular TESL/TEFL university graduate certificate and my previous background in education? RTM and Nomad Soul, what do you think? Thank you. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:28 am Post subject: |
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The only country I have extensive knowledge about in Asia is Japan. There, many entry-level teachers do not have a certificate of any kind. However, the market has been changing and becoming more competitive over the last 5-8 years, so I think more and more people are getting some kind of certificate. Most of those certificates would not be as in-depth (or lengthy) as the grad cert at Memphis, and many employers would not distinguish between that and a generic online certificate. However, the graduate cert at Memphis will make you a more informed (and probably better) teacher.
Not a clear-cut answer, I know. |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:32 am Post subject: |
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Thanks. Good point. If I do obtain the TESL/TEFL graduate certificate from my university I would probably need to list the courses taken and number of hours spent in practicum teaching to distinguish it from generic online certificates.
Last edited by Monchi on Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:41 am Post subject: |
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| zugora wrote: |
As RTM has mentioned to me in a private message, most places in Asia don't require a certificate at all (and I have also heard that to be true from other people I know). If that is the case and if what Suphanburi says is true about only working in Asia, I'm beginning to wonder if I should even obtain this certificate through my university.
Can someone else clarify and comment on about where I could potentially get hired with this particular TESL/TEFL university graduate certificate and my previous background in education? RTM and Nomad Soul, what do you think? Thank you. |
You could narrow it down to countries where you absolutely don't want to work in. But I think it also comes down to what your long-term teaching goals are. For example, once you start working in a TEFL job, think about socking aside some money to finish the rest of Memphis University's program toward that MA in TESL. This is a major advantage of completing their cert. This will also help you compete for the better jobs worldwide because you'll have a TEFL-relevant MA. Moreover, employers' requirements and visa regulations can and do change, which could impact your ability to work in some countries with your current qualifications + TESL cert. |
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Monchi
Joined: 27 Oct 2013
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:44 am Post subject: |
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| Another excellent point. Thank you, Nomad Soul. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:02 am Post subject: |
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| zugora wrote: |
| Thanks. Good point. If I do obtain the TESL/TEFL graduate certificate from Memphis, I would probably need to list the courses taken and number of hours spent in practicum teaching to distinguish it from generic online certificates. |
Frankly, just stating something like the following is enough: Graduate Certificate in TESL/TEFL, included 135-hour practicum; University of Memphis, USA, [date completed]. Check with the university on the number of required study and teaching hours for the practicum, but a semester-long course usually comes to 130-135 hours.
By the way, overseas employers don't consider grad certs as equivalent to full-fledged university degrees. In other words, it's not likely to add anything to your degrees in terms of qualifying you for positions. Case in point, I also have a Grad Cert in Applied Linguistics from an Aussie university and not one employer has ever mentioned it even though I include it under Relevant Education on my CV. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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Zugora,
I do hope you take the advice of people here without the impression that they are intending to offend you.
I have a BGS in TESL (that is a Bachelor of General Studies in TESL, not a BEd in TESL). I *still* face the reality that employers outside Canada do not consider it anything special in comparison to a BA in English, despite it being a full major in TESL and graduate certification (TESL Canada Level 2).
In Canada, it is gold. I sent out my resume in Montreal and got five phone calls in one day. Outside Canada, it is "oh". C'est la vie. It is nothing personal, it is just a reality. It sucks, sure, but oh well.
You can get some nice jobs abroad with your degree! The less explaining, the better. Good employers will ask the right questions.
This forum is a really valuable resource, I would reconsider the name calling. Some of the posters here are involved in training and hiring - you never know where you will end up one day. Use their knowledge and connections. Who knows, they might have a lead for you? I've been here almost seven years and I've seen it happen! |
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water rat
Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Posts: 1098
Location: North Antarctica
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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A nice sincere post, saint84, except what the hell does "C'est la vie" mean? None of that bilingual Canuck talk please.
Reminds me of when Huck Finn told Jim about foreign languages.
"What'd you do, Jim, iffen a man said to you, "Parlee vous Franzee?"
Jim: "I'd punch him right in da face, an' I wouldn't keer iffen he was a white man!"  |
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