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Ragmgar
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:55 pm Post subject: Post graduate certification in English after a MA in TESOL? |
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| Hi there folks! I recently decided against the idea of an EdD from feedback I've received in the issue, but I still want to make progress towards teaching for an IEP either at a community college or a university. I'm curious on your thoughts on a graduate certification in academic English? My state university offers this and I will be working outside of the country for a few years anyways to gain post graduate experience, do you think this would be a useful endeavor? I also consider it because for some community colleges they want lecturers who can teach multiple subjects and this would give me the necessary 18 graduate hours to do so. Thanks! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Ragmgar wrote: |
| I'm curious on your thoughts on a graduate certification in academic English? My state university offers this and I will be working outside of the country for a few years anyways to gain post graduate experience, do you think this would be a useful endeavor? I also consider it because for some community colleges they want lecturers who can teach multiple subjects and this would give me the necessary 18 graduate hours to do so. |
Could you provide a link to that grad cert program?
Frankly, most of us teach or have taught EAP without needing a separate qualification specific to this domain. As for teaching other subjects, I'm not sure how a cert in academic English would be helpful if the program is relevant to EAP. English for Academic Purposes generally isn't specific to any subject but focuses on English (writing, reading, speaking, listening, and sometimes grammar as a separate unit) in an academic context. Maybe you're referring to ABE/GED? |
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Ragmgar
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:59 pm Post subject: my universities certification |
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https://www.emporia.edu/emlj/programs/graduate/graduate-certificate-in-english.html
Honestly looking at it it's more of a literature based general english certificate, but it would give the required 18 hours to teach English at a community college level. I suppose the question is whether being able to teach both ESL and English would be worthwhile? I know that many schools try to hire as few teachers as possible and I thought this might be a way to get my foot in the door. Good idea or head up in the clouds again?  |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| the question is whether being able to teach both ESL and English would be worthwhile? I know that many schools try to hire as few teachers as possible and I thought this might be a way to get my foot in the door. |
Where are you hoping to get your foot in the door? Requirements and opportunities vary considerably by region. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Post graduate certification in English after a MA in TES |
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| It won't help you much for getting an ESL/EFL teaching job, beyond what your MA TESOL does. However, for teaching at colleges/universities in the US, it would make you eligible to teach general (non-ESL) writing courses. It could make you a bit more attractive of a candidate for teaching ESL/EFL writing courses (i.e., it's something that would be different from everyone else who only has an MA in TESOL), but probably not for ESL/EFL jobs in general. |
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OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: Post graduate certification in English after a MA in TES |
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| rtm wrote: |
| It won't help you much for getting an ESL/EFL teaching job, beyond what your MA TESOL does. However, for teaching at colleges/universities in the US, it would make you eligible to teach general (non-ESL) writing courses. It could make you a bit more attractive of a candidate for teaching ESL/EFL writing courses (i.e., it's something that would be different from everyone else who only has an MA in TESOL), but probably not for ESL/EFL jobs in general. |
That's it in a nutshell. |
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Ragmgar
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:24 pm Post subject: good to know! |
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| That's nice to hear, I lean towards it a bit as I want to make the most out of the next few years. I also have the option of getting a certificate in E learning and online teaching and or a second MA in instructional design & technology. I know that many schools find this desirable so I'm weighing my options at the moment. Thanks for the advice as always! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Ragmgar wrote: |
| I also have the option of getting a certificate in E learning and online teaching and or a second MA in instructional design & technology. I know that many schools find this desirable. |
Not just education -- this field is valued across all sectors, including corporate and government. (I have a Master of Educational Technology.) |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Post graduate certification in English after a MA in TES |
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| Ragmgar wrote: |
| Hi there folks! I recently decided against the idea of an EdD from feedback I've received in the issue, but I still want to make progress towards teaching for an IEP either at a community college or a university. I'm curious on your thoughts on a graduate certification in academic English? My state university offers this and I will be working outside of the country for a few years anyways to gain post graduate experience, do you think this would be a useful endeavor? I also consider it because for some community colleges they want lecturers who can teach multiple subjects and this would give me the necessary 18 graduate hours to do so. Thanks! |
A second MA or additional certificate probably just means more time and debt. In my view, experience and connections are more important to landing the job you want than getting a second MA, unless you don't like ESL anymore. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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Don't price yourself out of a job with superfluous qualifications. As danshengou suggests, experience and connections go further these days, assuming the basics are already met. I work in a college ESL program and spoke to the chair recently. He mentioned that I should apply to a particular opening for the upcoming term. I asked him "why? I know I have the experience, but I don't have the MA TESOL like everyone else. I won't be able to compete, will I?". He said, "you'll be lower on the salary grid and that might just be the tipping point."  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't price yourself out of a job with superfluous qualifications. As danshengou suggests, experience and connections go further these days, assuming the basics are already met. |
I agree about building experience, especially in areas or with skills that set you apart from others. That's also where a short program like a graduate certificate in eLearning or curriculum and instruction is invaluable. However, in terms of networking, Americans who have only taught abroad will find it a challenge to make professional connections while they're still outside the US. They're at a disadvantage compared to their stateside peers with US experience and established connections. But that's where having unique or desirable skills and abilities is a plus. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Don't price yourself out of a job with superfluous qualifications. As danshengou suggests, experience and connections go further these days, assuming the basics are already met. |
I agree about building experience, especially in areas or with skills that set you apart from others. That's also where a short program like a graduate certificate in eLearning or curriculum and instruction is invaluable. However, in terms of networking, Americans who have only taught abroad will find it a challenge to make professional connections while they're still outside the US. They're at a disadvantage compared to their stateside peers with US experience and established connections. But that's where having unique or desirable skills and abilities is a plus. |
Absolutely, I agree. Those who have been away from the North American market for a while probably don't realize how much technology has dominated the ESL classroom (I'm thinking 2014+). Even teaching online using Skype is considered kindergarten compared to some of the technology that is used as a standard now. I am expected to have a mastery of LMS, teach it to students, interactive live class programs (NOT Skype), shared Google docs during classes, and all sorts of other fun stuff that typically isn't used abroad in most TEFL gigs. Long gone are the days of putting up PowerPoint (let alone a transparency sheet)! |
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Ragmgar
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:51 pm Post subject: good advice |
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| I was lucky in that my MA had a course dealing with computer assisted language learning but it sounds like further experience in the field could only help! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:44 am Post subject: |
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| Ragmgar wrote: |
| My MA had a course dealing with computer assisted language learning but it sounds like further experience in the field could only help! |
CALL is barely a drop in the bucket. Take a look at the following examples:
. |
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Ragmgar
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:03 am Post subject: Definitely something to consider! |
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| Well the connections will be impossible to make during my two year exile to get post masters experience, but certifications, especially in online education could be a positive and affordable step! Thanks to everyone as always, the forum has been giving me a lot to consider as I make my next steps. |
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