Job Discussion Forums

[Tamara]

In addition to my previous question about the Certificate vs. Masters, I'd like to know what international employers like to see in a masters degree.

I've seen programs for MA in Teaching with emphasis/concentration in ESOL; M.Ed. with concentration in TESL; M of Liberal Studies with concentration in ESL; etc. Does it matter at the masters level whether the degree is M.Ed or MA? Does it matter whether the concentration is ESL or EFL or ESOL or TESOL or TEFL or any other acronym?

I'm still in research mode, but trying to find an appropriate program, and hopefully, one in my area (commuting distance) is getting confusing. Any and all advice is welcome!

Thanks, Tamara

[grahamb]

Best to look at what employers require in their recruitment ads. For example, there's this one from Dave's job board: "Minimum one-year full-time postgraduate degree or an MS/MA/MAT in TEFL /TESL or related field from an accredited university." Compare that with a vacancy posted on tefl.com: "A bachelor�s degree or equivalent (a master�s degree or Ph.D. strongly preferred) in the field of education, organizational development, international development, or other relevant social sciences."

[bukowski1234]

I have an MA in Writing, Rhetoric and Composition. I received inquiries/offers from all kinds of schools (private and public) in many locations (including Beijing and Shanghai included). The range of salaries were wide. Positions ranged from teaching oral English to teaching writing to teaching American Literature.

This is my opinion-- study what you want to study. While linguistics and education emphases will open more doors to administrative positions for you, they won't necessarily lead you to the type of teaching position you prefer.

As I was chose a path in my masters program, I looked at four possibilities: Education, Linguistics, Writing and Rhetoric, and Literature. I chose Writing and Rhetoric because I was already working as a writer. My BA was in Literature.

I could teach literature and linguistics on the college level only if i continued to work toward a PhD. Otherwise I could expect a lifetime of correcting college freshman level Exposition 101 papers.

Education really didn't interest me because that opened me up to teaching in the American public school system.

While I studied for the MA in Writing Rhetoric and Composition, I took a few teaching courses. Some of the course content addressed contemporary ESL issues and linguistic theory. I also worked an assistantship for my university's English department. This eventually led me to working in ESL while I worked as a writer.

I chose a curriculum which allowed me to study what interested me. It hasn't kept me out of China, and it has not kept me out of ESL.

Study what interests you. Examine the curriculum and course content in the school which you plan to attend. A good masters program requires intensive study. If you don't like the course work, you'll waste your time and hate every minute of it.

[PAULH]

Job Description: Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB) Graduate School in Nagoya invites applications for two part-time Lecturer positions to start in September 2004.

Job Details: Duties: To teach an English course in 'Internet Techniques for Global Business Communication' to students with high English language ability from the division of Global Business Communication. Classes (100 minutes each) are held on Wednesday 18:00 ~ 21:30 every other week from September 22 to January 19. To teach an English course in 'English Language for MBA' to students with intermediate English language ability from the MBA division. Classes (100 minutes each) will be held on Thursday 14:20 ~ 16:00 every week from September 23 to January 20. Qualifications: Native speaker of English residing in Japan with a Ph.D. in a language-related field and previous teaching experience at graduate level. Salary: 15,000 yen ~ 18,000 yen per class. Please submit a cover letter, detailed resume, list of publications, contact details of three referees and copies of degree certificates via email, fax or post. We recommend that applications should be sent to us as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be invited for interviews to be held until July 17.


Job Description: Two Foreign Instructors of English positions open at Institute of Foreign Language Education, Kurume University.

Job Details: Duties: Teaching six classes per semester (one class is 90 minutes per week); serving on committees; conducting research; and carrying out other university related responsibilities. Qualifications: 1) Native speaker of English 2) B.A. degree from a university in a country where English is the first or official language. M.A. degree (TESL/TEFL or equivalent is preferable, but not required) 3) Experience living in Japan for a minimum of three years. 4) Japanese language proficiency. Salary & Benefits: University scale based on experience and qualifications. The position is a 1-year contract, renewable up to 5 years at the discretion of Kurume University. Employment will begin on April 1, 2005. Application Materials: Applicants are requested to send the following documents. 1) Curriculum Vitae in Japanese (Kurume University Form). 2) List of research publications with two main papers circled (University Form). 3) Copies of the two circled papers mentioned in 2) above. 4) Record of professional, academic and social activities (University Form). 5) Copy of most recent educational diploma. 6) Essay in Japanese on English Education at the University Level, 2,000 characters on A4 paper. 7) Medical Certificate of Health issued by Hospital or Medical Office. Write "Application Enclosed" on the envelope. The application forms are available on the Kurume University website under the Topics and Information section, .


Job Description: Ritsumeikan University announces a full-time Associate Professor position beginning April 1, 2005.

Job Details: Duties: Introduction to English/American literature seminar, sophomore seminar, English composition, graduation thesis seminar, and others. For details, see online syllabus . Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent in English literature; knowledge of British and American literature; translation publications preferred. Japanese/English bilingual competence. Salary & Benefits: According to university scale. Application Materials: C.V. with recent photo, three copies of three major publications (may be photocopies). These will not be returned, except by request.
Job Description: The School of International Politics, Economics, and Business at Aoyama Gakuin University's Sagamihara Campus is seeking versatile part-time teachers for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Job Details: Duties: Teach English courses; communication courses related to public speaking, discussion/debate, English in the mass media, English for academic purposes; and advanced English courses related to specific themes, such as intercultural communication, comparative culture, media studies, gender awareness, conflict resolution/peace studies, global issues, and other subjects related to international studies. Qualifications: Resident of Japan (both native and nonnative speakers); proper visa if not Japanese; MA or PhD in relevant areas of the Humanities, Social Sciences, or Education (including TEFL/TESOL); three years?f previous teaching experience at the university level, with at least one year in Japan; ability to teach language, communication, and advanced courses in English; publications and membership in relevant academic associations a plus. Salary & Benefits: Similar to other private universities in the Tokyo area. Application Procedure: Send a complete resume in English that includes details about qualifications/experience in the above areas. No personal responses (including replies to inquiries) will be made unless the applicant is being seriously considered for a position.


Job Description: Keio SFC Junior and Senior High School, the newest secondary school associated with Keio University, is seeking applicants for full-time teaching positions to start from April 2005. Our students go on to Keio University, one of the most competitive private universities in Japan. SFC Junior and Senior High School differs from other secondary schools in that more than two-fifths of the students have lived abroad for extended periods. Many of these students already speak English or other languages fluently. The school provides training in computing, language, and intercultural communication in an effort to equip the students for active roles in the global community.

Job Details: Duties: Teach up to 19 hours per week (16 core English classes, two electives, one homeroom). Full-time staff work 5 days a week (Sunday and one other day off) and are occasionally asked to come to school on holidays for school events and other duties. Share typical homeroom responsibilities with a Japanese partner, including 1 hour per week supervising a homeroom class. Assess students in accordance with school guidelines. Participate in all school events and supervise students during school trips, sports days, club activities, preparing students for speech contests, etc. Play an active role in departmental functions such as curriculum development, test writing, coordination of exchange programs, coaching, etc. Qualifications: Native speaker of English. MA in TESOL or a related field Junior or Senior High School experience (particularly in Japan) a strong advantage; conversational Japanese an advantage. Salary & Benefits: Contract is renewable up to 3 years. Salary based on age, qualifications, and year of graduation. Commuting allowance, annual book allowance, furnished apartments close to school available for rent (key money not provided). Application Materials: Cover letter; curriculum vitae; transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended; details of publications and presentations, if any; at least one letter of recommendation from a recent employer and/or a professor in TESOL.

Job Description: Obirin University Foreign Language Education Center invites applications for a full-time lecturer in the English Language Program (ELP) to begin April 1, 2005.

Job Details: Qualifications: Masters Degree in TESOL/Applied Linguistics. Minimum 3 years teaching experience in Japanese colleges/universities. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. Experience in ELT curriculum/materials development. Computer proficiency (Macintosh ?| Word/PageMaker/In Design/Excel/HTML). Proficiency in Japanese an advantage. Duties: Currently required to work 4 days per week, with approximately 10 hours per week of teaching. Committee, curriculum, and administrative duties, as assigned. Salary & Benefits: Initial contract is for 3 years, renewable subject to performance evaluation and university needs. Salary according to university scale, plus research allowance on approval. Application materials: Applications in writing must include: a cover letter which attends to each of the items in turn under the requirements above, an up-to-date CV with passport-sized photo attached, a recent letter of reference, and a 500 word essay on your view of teaching English to Japanese university students. Short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for interview in October and should prepare copies of two publications prior to interview. Telephone, e-mail or fax inquiries/applications will not be accepted.



Job Description: Faculty of Humanities, Matsuyama University is seeking a full-time EFL instructor to begin April 2005.

Job Details: Qualifications: A native English speaker with a Master?fs Degree in TESOL/TEFL, Applied Linguistics, or a related field, and with practical experience in teaching EFL learners at the college level. Duties: Teach eight 90-minute classes per week, including chat room. Other duties include developing teaching materials; instructing extra-curricular activities, such as ESS clubs; provide advice and support for students; and provide preliminary guidance for students concerning study abroad. Salary & Benefits: Non-renewable, 2-year contract. Salary is \5,040,000 per year, and \400,000 per year is provided for research. Moving and housing allowances, according to the university laws and regulations. Employees must join Shigaku Kyosai, a mutual aid association of private schools for medical insurance. An office with a telephone, air conditioning, and network plug can be made available. Application materials: CV with photograph and email address, transcripts, photocopy of diploma, list of papers written, letter(s) of recommendation, one page essay on English language education written on A4 size paper. Application materials will not be returned. Applications sent by e-mail are not acceptable. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview. Interviews will be in English and some basic Japanese. Notification of acceptance for the position will be made after October 15, 2004.


Job Description: The English Department at Aoyama Gakuin University is seeking part-time teachers to teach conversation and writing courses at their new Sagamihara campus, and a single conversation class Monday afternoons. The campus is about 90 minutes from Shinjuku station on the Odakyu and Yokohama lines. We are interested in teachers who enjoy working with other teachers as well as with their students.

Job Details: Duties: Classroom activities include leading small group discussion, teaching journal writing, and book reports. Classes are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Qualifications: Publications, experience in presentations, and familiarity with email are assets. Click ?gIE Program?h on the department website for more information. Salary & Benefits: Comparable to other universities in the Tokyo area. Application Materials: Write to us for an application form.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact Details: ?gPART-TIMERS,?h English and American Literature Department, Aoyama Gakuin University, 4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8366.

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Job Description: The International University of Japan in Yamato-machi is seeking a part-time English language instructor beginning October 2004.

Job Details: Duties: Teach two 90-minute classes every week on grammar, vocabulary, academic writing, or thesis writing, in the fall (October-December) and the winter (January-March) terms. Teach graduate students studying International Relations, International Management, International Development, or E-Business. Be responsible for course materials, lesson plans, and assessment, in coordination with full-time faculty members. Qualifications: M.A. in TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics; at least 2-years teaching experience at the university level, but 5-years experience preferred. Salary & benefits: 14,000 yen per class, round trip transportation charges to and from the campus, overnight stay accommodation (if necessary). Application materials: Please submit a cover letter (highlighting qualifications, experience, and research; describing current employment status and situation; and reasons for applying), detailed resume (qualifications, teaching and other professional experience, research); a passport size photo; and two letters of reference.

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#00142 - Tokyo-to

Job Description: The School of International Politics, Economics, and Business at Aoyama Gakuin University's Sagamihara Campus is seeking versatile part-time teachers for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Job Details: Duties: Teach English courses; communication courses related to public speaking, discussion/debate, English in the mass media, English for academic purposes; and advanced English courses related to specific themes, such as intercultural communication, comparative culture, media studies, gender awareness, conflict resolution/peace studies, global issues, and other subjects related to international studies. Qualifications: Resident of Japan (both native and nonnative speakers); proper visa if not Japanese; MA or PhD in relevant areas of the Humanities, Social Sciences, or Education (including TEFL/TESOL); three years?f previous teaching experience at the university level, with at least one year in Japan; ability to teach language, communication, and advanced courses in English; publications and membership in relevant academic associations a plus. Salary & Benefits: Similar to other private universities in the Tokyo area. Application Procedure: Send a complete resume in English that includes details about qualifications/experience in the above areas.

[Tamara]

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I'm currently on vacation in Vermont, and so I plan to visit the SIT campus in Brattleboro and discuss the Summer Masters in Teaching ESOL program with the people there. I gather from the qualifications listed in the above job postings that a MA in anything remotely relevant will get me consideration for the job, but what everyone really wants to see is experience. So, I'm also going to look into the more local programs in North Carolina, specifically the M.Ed. in TESL offered at a state university about an hour away from me. I'm still very intrigued by the programs offered at Wake Forrest University because I live in the same city, it's such a prestigious university, and they have grants to pay for the costs of tuition and fees and they offer a stipend. So, even though there's nothing in TESOL, they do have programs in English (horray!) education (blah). But maybe I can attach a concentration in something more relevant to make that degree look more appealing to future employers.

So many choices, so many things to consider. I really appreciate the advice to study what interests me. Too bad WFU hasn't joined the world, yet, to offer degrees in TESOL. Otherwise that'd be my first choice.

Thanks, Tamara