Job Discussion Forums

[dohdohburd]

Well I didnt really go to college right after high school since I really didn't know what I wanted to do. So I spent four years after high school just working and travelling some (went to China and Philippines). I think I have realy figured out that I want to teach English overseas preferrably in an Asian country. I will be going to college next semester since it looks like you are better off with a 4-year degree. Whats the best thing to go for a degree? Does it matter? Should I get teaching credentials and would that increase the likeliness of finding a job or the pay overseas? I really wish I could just start teaching right now but I guess it will be four years until I can. So any tips for someone starting from the beginning and what I should do to prepare?

[Justin Trullinger]

Firstly- congratulations, and good thinking! Getting a degree in the beginning, while you're still relatively young, will make things a good deal easier later on. I wish I had!

Most people in this field don't actually have degrees related to English teaching, as we fell into the field later on.... but since you know what you want to do- do it.

A degree in English, in teaching, or in languages would probably be about right- what do the rest of you think?


Best,
Justin

[spiral78]

I think a B in Education is sort of ideal - then you can continue with an MA in either TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, or some core subject that will qualify you for international schools.

BA in English is ok, but you're missing out on the education training, which I personally think is even more useful in ESL/EFL.

Languages would also be quite useful...

[Sgt Killjoy]

I'd have to say, go with the educational degree. It's gonna get you more money and more opportunities in the end.

Now, what B.Ed to go with? I'd choose a topic you like a lot. If your into computer, get a degree and certification in High School Computer Education. If you like Math, get a Math Ed degree. With a Math Ed degree, you can still teach English in just about any school in Asia.

[rusmeister]

I would spend at least a year in teaching abroad before going to a teaching program, esp. a state certified one. My huge discovery was that they didn't prepare you for the classroom in mine, and the only reason I knew it was because I had 4 years of full-time experience before beginning. Most of the other teacher candidates had no idea that things like classroom management and organization of your curriculum are not covered or required at all, and with all the requirements they snowball you with you wouldn't think of them unless you had prior experience screaming at you that you do need them.

[wildchild]

I would suggest that you follow your interest; get your degree in something you're interested in or do something that will ensure a well paying job in the future, try engineering, computer science, accounting, et cetera.

As for teaching, it doesn't matter what you get your degree in.

Take me, for example, I did mine in Linguistics but MA TESOLs are preffered over me. MA TESOLs are for people who did their BA in something else but because its an MA they are preffered. Go figure.

As for learning teaching methods, go to the library; get your BA in something that will pay off.

Y que!
c/s

[Joan]

Many Australian universities offer 4 year dual degrees, eg BA/BEd, BSc/BEd. University of Queensland certainly does. Many students of foreign languages do this, then go overseas to teach ESL, or stay home and teach ESL plus their foreign language. A country which takes in refugees and migrants always has a need for ESL teachers, but High Schools need a couple of other subjects too.

[tedkarma]

I support the idea of an education degree. While you may or may not get some teaching practice - education is a good basis for a career in teaching.

There are some things that you will learn - about learning - and how the whole process works - that will make a significant difference in your ability to solve the problems you will encounter in the classroom.

It is a good start - and work straight through to a masters if you have the opportunity - there you can specialize if you wish.

[rusmeister]

I agree that study can help. Teaching is built on knowledge, of course. Just curious what people MEAN when they say 'education'. It's a pretty ephemeral and elastic word, which can mean almost whatever people want it to mean. By some definitions, George Washington had little education and Frederick Douglass none at all. Yet they are clearly more 'educated' (in the sense of erudite) than most people who ever set foot inside of a school.
To assume that a person MUST have schools and courses to attain knowledge or experience flies in the face of common sense - it ignores the greatest thinkers and most successful people throughout history who had little or no formal schooling.

[tedkarma]