Job Discussion Forums

dohdohburd · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

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 · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

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 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

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 · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

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 · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

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 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

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.

Shocked

Y que!
c/s

Joan · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Queensland Australia

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 · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

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 · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

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 · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:49 am Post subject:

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

There's little doubt that a teaching credential is the way to go (B.Ed). It'll give you the option of teaching in International Schools and in the handful of countries that require certification to teach anything.

Math and Sciences are hands-down in the highest demand in the US. If you have even an inkling that you might return to the States then that's where the best income will be found.

You're in a great position. You can follow-up the B.Ed with a masters in something else later...focusing on ESL or some other aspect of teaching that interests you. I wouldn't recommend going to graduate school right away.

dohdohburd · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I started going to school doing computer science straight out of high school. Though I love computers and junk I got bored of programming and other stuff like that. I didn't even make it a semester. Then I had no idea what the hell I wanted since pretty much most of my life I told myself I would be doing Computer Science. So being the dumb kid I was I just worked and said I will go back to college soon. Traveled the world a bit. I love math so probably get a degree in math education. I passed my AP Calculus test in high school, but I will probably have to take Calculus over again and I hate repeating a whole years worth of work I did, but I guess it will have to be done Smile

Yeah I was really leaning towards becoming a math teacher, but after experiencing other countries I figured it would be great to teach overseas. So I guess it would be a good idea to get a degree teaching math and that way if teaching English isn't my cup of tea I can come back here to teach Math in the States.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Study what interests you the most. Personally, however, I agree with the post above that suggests a degree in mathematics or the hard sciences would give you more options down the road. Anyone can get a degree in the humanities. In fact, I wouldn't pursue a degree in Education unless I was planning on sleeping through four years of classes.

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

I will just second the fact that an "English" degree is useless almost for teaching the language. Contrary to what everyone seems to think (in my life), it doesn't make you necessarily proficient in grammar or spelling, just in literary analysis. That said, I think it's a grand major to do nothing with. I just think a college education is somewhat wasted if there's no humanities involved.