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Kurochan
Joined: 01 Mar 2003
Posts: 944
Location: China
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 Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject: How did you choose an MA program? |
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Hi --
Just wondering if any of you out there have an MA, and what it is in. I have an MA in another field, and am thinking about going back to school to get one either in TEFL or Applied Linguistics. What do you have, and why? How did you choose your school? It seems there are so many choices out there, it's mind boggling.
Thanks for any input! |
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wildchild
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 519
Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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I have a BA in Linguistics, emphasis/option in English as a Second Language (my school recently changed the title of this option to TESOL). One of my hotshot Profs., who was the Phonologist, couldn't understand why people go into MA programs. As far as he knew, he said, "MAs are like door prizes for those who can't complete the PhD program." He didn't understand that the MA TESOL has now become a kind of professional diploma, similar to an MBA; it's for people who did their BA in something else. The similarities may stop there as MBAs go on to make quite a bit of more money than an MA TESOL.
I started an MA TESOL program at a different school but stopped soon after as I had quickly realized that I was just repeating what I had already done for my BA; most MA TESOL programs schedule many undergrad and grad student classes together. Of course they give you a token, extra assignment for every course and at the end you may choose to do a thesis, a project, or a comprehensive exam.
Many folks recommend doing the DELTA over the MA TESOL; it's cheaper, shorter and it serves the same function; it gives you that extra piece of paper, that higher qualification.
by the way, I chose my school based on how many Teacher Assistantship opportunities were offered and how nice the city was. I wouldn't worry too much about the quality of the Profs., there are good and bad at every school. If you're looking for good reputation, go to the private schools, although you'll pay for it.
Last edited by wildchild on Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Many folks recommend doing the CELTA over the MA TESOL |
I think you meant DELTA here. The CELTA is the entry level certificate; the DELTA is the diploma, which is sometimes described as being post graduate level.
I sort of disagree about the DELTA being a better choice than an MA, but this is where you'll here the debate. Nobody who's spent much time in the field would put the CELTA into this category.
Best,
justin |
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wildchild
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 519
Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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justin said:
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| I think you meant DELTA here. The CELTA is the entry level certificate; the DELTA is the diploma, which is sometimes described as being post graduate level. |
Right, that's the one! I'll edit it. |
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sheeba
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 1123
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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MA is more research based.
DELTA or Diploma is more practical in nature(mind you I did do some research- Observation /Classroom Portfolio / and individual reserach project)
I did the Dip in one year. I'd say that it is worth about the same as one year on a respectable MA 3 year program but still the teaching part to it is VERY intensive and I don't think I will EVER get that kind of experience on an MA. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:23 am Post subject: |
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DELTA vs MA/M.Ed. are two different career tracks.
An MA/M.Ed. will get you nice university jobs in many countries (something a BA or DELTA won't do) and a very comfortable lifestyle. My last university job had 20 weeks paid vacation and a four-day work week. In the last 15 years I've rarely had less than ten weeks paid vacation per year - and when I didn't I was making such good money that it didn't matter (the Middle East).
DELTA will get you DOS jobs and maybe some teacher training, but you'll be working a pretty full schedule and have to manage people (something I don't like! - but that is just me). Conversely an appropriate MA will get you many of those same jobs should you want them.
MA equals more time and more work to earn it, but many more options.
People often have very strong opinions on these things - but I think my M.Ed. gave me a far better life than a DELTA would have. 'Tis my opinion anyway . . . |
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Sherri
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:33 am Post subject: Re: How did you choose an MA program? |
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| Kurochan wrote: |
| Just wondering if any of you out there have an MA, and what it is in. What do you have, and why? How did you choose your school? |
Hi Kurochan, like you I have a non-EFL related MA. After 10 + years of EFL and the CELTA, I decided to get an MA in TEFL/TESL. I decided to go the MA route because quite frankly a DELTA will not help you land a job in the US (where I was planning to work) at a university or community college. Of course I was interested in the professional development, but I also wanted something to help me get a job. I could not have the job I have now at a community college if I did not have the MA.
I chose my particular course (University of Birmingham, UK) because it was distance and had a good rep--I knew a couple of people already taking it and there was good support in the way of study groups and tutors where I lived at the time (Tokyo). You have to be very motivated to do it by distance, but it worked for me.
You have to think about why you want the qualification, ask around as you are doing now for experiences and then finally take the plunge! Now I am thinking about the next step, maybe when the kids are older... |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:32 am Post subject: Re: How did you choose an MA program? |
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| Sherri wrote: |
| You have to think about why you want the qualification |
Spot on. AND, what you want it to do for you. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:10 am Post subject: |
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I see a lot more of the types of jobs that I want that ask for MAs rather than DELTAs. I'm not sure a DELTA would be worth much, for example, getting into university teaching in the US. I don't even know if it would have gotten me the other uni jobs that I've had that require MAs.
I had to choose between the Monterey Institute of International Studies and Boston University, both of which are ridiculously expensive. I chose MIIS because it's a small institute (it is exclusively a graduate school, with only 4 internationally-oriented MA programs--and there may be about 10ish undergrad students on the campus in a different program), very highly-regarded, and I grew up in California. I am very happy with the program.
d |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| denise wrote: |
| I see a lot more of the types of jobs that I want that ask for MAs rather than DELTAs. I'm not sure a DELTA would be worth much, for example, getting into university teaching in the US. I don't even know if it would have gotten me the other uni jobs that I've had that require MAs. |
For the university teaching positions I have held over the last 15 years - a DELTA was never mentioned at all. MA or M.Ed. was the entry qualification.
Nothing wrong with being a DOS, but if you have ever seen the headaches they have . . .
And, who fills in on short notice when someone doesn't show up? You do.
For a far more comfortable career - MA/M.Ed. Geez, I sound like an advert. The British Council will soon send someone in to shoot me. |
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Shan-Shan
Joined: 28 Aug 2003
Posts: 1074
Location: electric pastures
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
most MA TESOL programs schedule many undergrad and grad student classes together. Of course they give you a token, extra assignment for every course and at the end you may choose to do a thesis, a project, or a comprehensive exam.
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More evidence for why MAs in TESOL are set up for those who:
* are incapable of entering other programs (MA TESOL entrance requirements can be met by absolutely anyone who has a Bachelors degree in anything), and
* are unable to read any of the plethora of research written in easily accessible language (i.e. TESOL research, unlike work done in areas, is not hard to grasp if one has at least competent reading skills) on their own
Also, few other Masters programs are offered entirely on-line. Sure, if one is looking for a life in pseduo-academia and long vacations in South Korea, a Masters in TESOL is the way to go. Problem is, once all those who barely managed a bachelors degree figure out just how easy it is to acquire a Masters in TESOL (a click, click here and a click click there), the value of the degree will drop dramatically. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: |
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| You can do a DELTA at Sheffield Hallam as part of your MA TEFL course. Kills two birds with one stone. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:25 am Post subject: Your Credentials? |
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Shan-Shan,
Do you have an M.A. or an M.Ed.?
Regards,
fat_c |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:08 am Post subject: |
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| Stephen Jones wrote: |
| You can do a DELTA at Sheffield Hallam as part of your MA TEFL course. Kills two birds with one stone. |
and if you have a DELTA then it counts as your first year in the MA. |
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Shan-Shan
Joined: 28 Aug 2003
Posts: 1074
Location: electric pastures
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Shan-Shan,
Do you have an M.A. or an M.Ed.?
Regards,
fat_c |
My comments were not directed at Masters of Arts/Masters of Education programs, many of which require residency, actual hours in a classroom, and substantial graduate level coursework, but rather those Masters in TESOL programs offered completely online where interaction with classmates and professors are severely curtailed due to geography, not to mention the paucity of resources available should one be studying/doing research in a country whose libraries and periodicals are inaccessible due to language limitations.
And to answer your question, no, I do not possess an MA nor M.Ed, but thanks for asking anyways. |
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