Job Discussion Forums

[Yemlin]

I've taught English in Japanese public schools for five years. I really like my job, but I would like to move on up to university teaching in Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Latin America, or Europe.

I have a bachelor's degree in French and I recently got a CELTA.

I plan to get an MA in Applied Linguistics by coursework. It will be an external (a/k/a correspondence or distance) degree. Would the fact that it was done off-campus disqualify me from many university jobs in eastern Europe?

I'm asking specifically about eastern Europe because I'm an American with no recent Europrean relatives, so I can't get an EU passport. But if I could somehow work it out, I'd LOVE to teach in western Europe! I passed the B2 DELF (hadn't used French for years) and will probably get a DELE in 2007.

I'm also posting this message in other relevant forums.

[spiral78]

I'm a U.S. citizen with an MA TEFL/TESL from U. Birmingham (England)'s distance program. I've got one important asset that you haven't, and that's a spouse from the EU. Not to rub it in (I didn't marry for the passport, honest!!), but I've taught in a couple of universities in the EU and I live most of the year in the Czech Republic.

Here's what pertinent info I can offer:

If your distance MA is from a reputable university, it will not be viewed as less than an on-site one in Europe. I can't speak in terms of 100%, obviously, but generally this is true. The thing with a distance MA is that it can be active, research-based, and by trying out things you are learning first-hand, most people really do learn more. Distance MAs, among people who know, are often even more respected than MAs earned sitting in a classroom as a student full time. This was true in my uni in the Netherlands, where new MA grads without teaching experience were required to serve lengthy apprenticeships prior to being offered regular positions.

You mention Eastern Europe; you would probably be eligible to apply for uni positions in most of the new EU member countries. But there's a problem - teachers at all levels in state schools, like health care professionals and others, are relatively very poorly paid. I would love to be teaching at a uni here in the Czech Rep, but it is just not financially feasible.

Sorry the news isn't all good - but pursuing the MA and university positions is a really worthwhile career choice, from my experience, and I'd encourage you entirely.