Job Discussion Forums

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

Hi there

Am I right in thinking that a Masters in Education is the way to go if you want to teach at an International school?

A while back, I sent a post about obtaining a PGCE for the same purpose. However a few people have told me an MA. Ed is the way to go. My question is, what would I actually be able to teach with this qualification?

As I understand it, International schools do have ESL classes for non native speakers because they need to get to a level of English which will allow them to understand the English based curriculum. Am I wrong in thinking that?

Hypothetically, If they didn't have a ESL class, what then could I do with my MA. Ed if anything?

ESL is something i've been doing for three years and I think i'd be better off continuing with it. Just I want to do it at an international school. I know I could do an MA. ELT but what would be the advantage of that over MA.Ed and vice versa?

What do you all think?

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

As I understand it an MA is useful in getting university jobs. If you want to work at an international school get the PGCE as a teaching license is the basic requirement for teaching at an international school, whether it is teaching ESL or teaching a subject class. An MA Ed would only get you a slightly increased monthly salary at an international school. It won't get you hired at most reputable schools, where a licensed teacher with only a BA will almost always be hired over someone with an MA, even in education, who doesn't have a teaching license. You need the teaching license which is what the PGCE will get you. Your ESL experience combined with the PGCE would be a plus, though, as most international schools have quite a large ESL population and like to hire teachers who know a bit about it.

Good luck

Good luck

partialtone · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 137 Location: CA

If you were planning on coming back to the states to teach, an MA in education would significantly bump you up on the salary schedule. At a lot of schools here you need it to get a raise after the 10-15 year mark.

jademonkey · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 180

PGCE? What does that mean?

vallillo1983 · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 194

PGCE is the post graduate certificate in education. Its what we need in the UK to teach in state-schools and also private and colleges these days;

Check out www.tda.gov.uk or www.gttr.ac.uk