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Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Oh please .. not all this nonsense again ... anyone who studies a decent* MA in TESOL and doesn't learn shi.tloads from it - about the theory of the many methods of teaching available, about the critical analysis and creation of courses and the materials that accompany them, and about the structure and usage of language itself - is either rather dumb, rather lazy or both ...

And the same can be said for anyone who thinks that none of this is related to what teaching EFL is all about ...

*Don't forget that there are many MA's that require their students to apply the theory to the classroom and then write up and evaluate the process

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Defensive or simply tired of the same old crap ... why is it that you believe you can't have a guy who can both hit the ball and know the theory ... they are not mutually exclusive ... ... did you not also see the point that many courses do insist on the practical application of theory ...

And the implication that a teacher with an MA doesn't teach the language but instead teaches the theory is simply absurd ...

Are you arguing from the point of having done an MA that you were disappointed with, and that has forced you to teach only theory, or are you talking out of your popo ...

Are you one of those types that bases their opinion on the few people that they've met who have an MA ... teachers whose teaching you are so ready to judge on exactly what basis ... have you visited their every lesson .. do you know what questions they consider when approaching each lesson or each task and interaction within each lesson ... are you aware of the myriad of other informed decisions they may make during the course of their working day ...

Just what is your opinion based on?

misterkodak · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:25 am Post subject:

I agree that a Master's would be a nice thing to have in ESL, but I can't think that it would be the only sign of a good teacher. I've worked with some people with a master's in ESL who weren't very good at all and I've worked with some who were absolutely fantastic. Still, I think that if I plan to stay in this career field, a master's would be the next step to make me more knowledgeable in my job and help me advance.
As far as backpackers go, I agree in general but ... certain posters need to be careful with slinging that kind of garbage. How many countries has this self appointed jack of all trades master of none gone through only to find that none of them are willing to kiss his backside because of who he is? Respect is something that has to be earned. No piece of paper is going to give you that. I don't have a master's, I have paid my dues and I make far about the money he's mentioned. I'm tired of hearing people whine when things don't go their way. MOD EDIT

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

The above two posts seem to me more experience based arguments and more sensable.

my question is: is it worth doing a masters degree??? specifically for turkey...

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

Additional ad hominem and off-topic postings will result in sanctions and this thread no longer being available.

samuraiwriter · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 41

Thank you Mod,

The bottom line, in my opinion is this, salary is something that should rise as cost of living rises. Which is the case in Istanbul. For salaries to remain at the 2000 mark for too long is a problem. Expect more. We teachers (all of us, Turkish, English, Yabanci and Native) deserve more. Being complacent is no good for anyone. Ask for more, maybe you'll get it and the bar will slowly rise for everyone.

Two cents.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

And some good teachers do not have MAs.

Golightly · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject:

I have my TEFL cert and 14 years' experience. In that time, I have been the DOS at Dilko, and programme leader for EFL and Exams at Thames Valley University. I teach EAP, and my students have gone on to some extremely good universities and the beginnings of highly successful careers; I have led workshops and seminars: indeed, I will (hopefully) be presenting something rather interesting at the English UK conference in November. So why haven't I got my Dip or MA? Because I'm too bloody busy being bloody good at my job, that's why. I'm in a situation where I'm either too busy or I don't have enough money to study for a formal qualification. Unfortunately, that has begun to tell, as I can't make any more money without a bit of paper that says I have done this and that. The only way I reckon I could become more academically successful is to be a bit more crap at my job so that my boss gives me less paperwork! In other words, in order to excel I must underachieve.
That pretty much sums us lot up, doesn't it? Wink