Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

The best MA program for ESL
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Felix



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 34

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 12:03 am    Post subject: The best MA program for ESL Reply with quote

This September I'm going into my third year teaching English. I've taught adults (business and general), kids (ages 4-5 and 8-12)...

Eventually I think getting an MA is good idea. So, where's the best place to do it? Distance or on-campus - what do employers think about distance (is it less highly regarded?

Is Britain the best place for doing in on-campus?

Anyway, specifics are welcomed. Thanks in advance!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Wolf



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 5:52 am    Post subject: Re: The best MA program for ESL Reply with quote

Felix wrote:
This September I'm going into my third year teaching English. I've taught adults (business and general), kids (ages 4-5 and 8-12)...

Eventually I think getting an MA is good idea. So, where's the best place to do it? Distance or on-campus - what do employers think about distance (is it less highly regarded?

Is Britain the best place for doing in on-campus?


Regarding Distance Learning MAs in TESOL/Applied Linguistics;

Well, I couldn't find one out of Canada.

USA has a few.

Ausrailia has some (one is a PhD!) but many are geared for being an EFL teacher in Japan only.

Britian had a pretty good choice, I thought. BUT living costs (residence fees, etc) made me cry Crying or Very sad . I mean Distance Learning ones here.

Distance Learning would take longer and be a bit cheaper in that a) you don't have to pay room and board and b) you don't have to stop working.

I've heard that some employers are skittish about DL degrees, but then again there have been a couple of sucess stories on the Japan forum.

The "best" one I found was the program from the University of Burmingham.

The one I'm doing (okay about to start in a few weeks) is from the University of Surrey (It's cheaper, and besides I can't afford trips to South Korea every year for Burmingham's conferneces.)

Tons of places have on-campus degrees offered. But as I didn't go this way, I know less about them. As a Canaidan citizen, it probably would be cheapest to do it at home because then I wouldn't have to pay foreign students' rates (I think.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
isabel



Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 510
Location: God's green earth

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could you provide a link to the University of Burmingham?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Sherri



Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's actually the University of Birmingham. I am halfway through the course and am very satisfied with it.

http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
dduck



Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 422
Location: In the middle

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sherri wrote:
It's actually the University of Birmingham. I am halfway through the course and am very satisfied with it.

http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/


But they pronounce it Burmingham, right? Wink

Iain
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Minhang Oz



Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 610
Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Macquarie University, Sydney [they pronounce it "Sid-knee" Iain Very Happy ] runs a good distance program. Check it out on www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pghome.htm and follow the links.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
isabel



Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 510
Location: God's green earth

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

(It's cheaper, and besides I can't afford trips to South Korea every year for Burmingham's conferneces.)

Wolf- what do you mean about the Birmingham conferences in South Korea.

I am looking for an M.A. program, and I am in South Korea, so conferences would not be a problem. I am trying to do my preliminary research here, until I narrow the field a bit.

Hey DDuck- you looking too?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dduck



Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 422
Location: In the middle

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

isabel wrote:
Hey DDuck- you looking too?


To use my best American English: I still have a ways to go before I'll be able to enroll, i.e. not enough experience yet. But yeah, I'm on the look out for a good MA. I also considering doing a full-time MA as opposed to the distance learning course. So I'd be prepared to move continent to study at a good University (and soak up the culture). My selection criteria include: a University with a good reputation, plus somewhere inexpensive to live, and as a bonus somewhere new to explore. Smile

Iain
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The University of Leicester (note this is pronounced as in "Lester Young") has a Distrance MA which is okay. Nice point is that you can take the first step, and then stop off. they give you a Certificate for that. Or you can continue doing their "modules" until you get the MA.

I think employers are more reaady to accept distance learning now. Some may still have a prejudice against them.

Oh yes, for the geographically-challenged, Leiocester is in England which is part of the UK. This is not yet one of the States of the USA but Tony Blair has plans.


Last edited by scot47 on Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
stevey