Job Discussion Forums

gcain · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, DC

Hey,

I'm a newbie to EFL, and I hope to teach abroad after I graduate from college. I was just curious, what are the top U.S. universities for getting an M.A. in TESOL/Applied Linguistics/etc. Thanks.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I was going to answer your question, but then you want an American university. There are lots of top universities not in the US.

comenius · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:00 am Post subject:

Gordon makes a good point, and if you want to teach overseas, getting your MA/TESOL overseas might be a great experience as well.

That being said, I did my MA/TESOL in the US. As I recall, the following had good programs:

Columbia University
New York University
San Francisco State University
Indiana University

This is NOT meant to be an inclusive list. I'm sure there are tons of other good schools out there as well. I focused mainly on places I'd like to live when applying, so if being in either New York or San Francisco isn't a priority, you could expand this list considerably.

gcain · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, DC

What are some non-U.S. universities with good reputations for TESOL? Will potential employers discriminate against a U.S.-degree vs. a UK degree? ("We want someone who will teach British English, not American English").

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

Since it says that you are in DC, there are plenty of universities there that offer a relevant degree. In the Virginia suburbs, George Mason has a good degree. In DC, there is Georgetown and GW and AU.

The reality is that I don't think it much matters once it actually comes down to getting a job. If it is a valid degree from an accreditied university from somewhere in the world, you will get the same pay as the next MA.

Personally I got mine with a scholarship from The American University in Cairo, which is helpful if one is planning to teach in the Arabic speaking world.

VS

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Monterey Institute of International Studies (www.miis.edu)

d

edit: Hey!!! Why didn't the link get underlined?!?!? What did I do wrong?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Australia also has some good schools if you want to do it by distance from the comforts of America. There is:

USQ
Macquarie
UNE

If it must be American, than SIT has one of the best reputations and the tuition to prove it (approx. $30,000 US or more)

gcain · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, DC

gcain · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, DC

Another question: If you get an M.A. in TESOL, is it still necessary to get a CELTA/Trinity certification if you want to teach at a university abroad?

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

My question is sort of related:

What are the normal requirements for entrance into the MA TESOL program at good universities?

Does one need a BA in Linguistics or would a BA in English + CELTA (possibly DELTA) + several years practical teaching experience be sufficient?

My university is starting its MA program in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) this fall, but they haven't responded to my inquiry about admissions. They mention that research interests are extremely important when accepting students, but that's the only thing discussed on the website. Any thoughts?

I think my GPA will be about 3.0. OH MY GOD THAT'S BAD! Three years ago I finished high school with a 94% average, now I have a terrible graduating GPA from university! I never realized how bad that was before (because my school has a weird GPA system).

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

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

gcain

You didn't mention what your BA will be in. Is it education related? Do you student teach? If so, you would have little need for the CELTA.

If not an education related BA, be sure to find an MA program that provides practical hands-on teaching experience.

If you choose to take a more theoretically based Linguistics MA, only then would I say that professionally, you need classroom training and the CELTA would provide it. (I have never seen any employer that required both an MA and a CELTA)

Another factor to keep in mind is whether you ever plan to come back and teach in the US. This is becoming ever more competitive, and an MA from Georgetown would be a plus for you. I would look into their program and plan your BA to prepare you - first to be able to get certified to teach in secondary schools and also for their MA to prepare you for university level teaching. Smile

VS

gcain · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, DC

My major in International Affairs (I'm in the School of Foreign Service). I really want to get an MA to teach at a university abroad, after I get some experience of course. Eventually I want to get a PhD in sociology or political science and teach at a university back in the US. I'm not really interested in getting teacher certification and doing HS stuff in America.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan