Job Discussion Forums

SolitaryThrush · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 32

Hello everyone, I'm hoping someone could point me in the right direction . . .

Currently I teach English in South Korea, and I plan to stay for a few more years. Eventually I'd like to return to my homestate of Pennsylvania---or some other area in the mid-Atlantic. I'm contemplating getting an MA in TESOL or Linguistics (or some kind of dual program), but I'd like to learn more about what these degrees can do for me. I haven't decided if I'd like to pursue ESL in the States as a career, but I know certain jobs become available with a Master's in Linguistics of TESOL. (And I'm not really ready for the commitment of a B.Ed or a PRAXIS yet).

I'm wondering if anyone knows of good websites or forums where people discuss different graduate school programs, specifically TESOL and/or Linguistics. I'm interested in learning what scholarships (if any) are available for these programs and also what careers are open for someone with a Master's and overseas experience. While I don't want to spend the rest of my life tutoring immigrants, I don't think an American public school would be too rewarding, either.

Thanks a lot for any help you all can provide.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

You can teach in community college ESL programs. It's hard to get full-time jobs, though. An MA is a minimum requirement. Experience + publications will help you out a lot. Otherwise, you may find yourself working at multiple schools part-time just to get enough hours. And there would be no benefits that way, either.

d

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

if your grades are high enough, you could try Penn State.
They do have people who are TAs and I don`t think they have to pay tuition (or it is reduced).
But, that program there is too theoretical/research based, and is geared for people who want to get a Phd.
I prefer programs that are practical.

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:27 pm Post subject:

http://www.gradschools.com/programs/tesol_education.html

You can also do a search here under English as a Second Language:

http://www.petersons.com/GradChannel/code/AcdSearchResults.asp?sponsor=1

fraup · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:25 am Post subject:

Don't count on community colleges unless you are already IN the community and have a network, and have your MA in TESOL in hand. An MA in German, plus years of teaching, plus a CELTA and overseas experience, got me...zip. Which is why I'm in Mexico now.

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

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

JZer,

How could you spend a year in NZ? Sounds intriguing...

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

Jizzo T. Clown, they offer the working holiday visa. I have heard that you can get short term ESL work in New Zealand. If not then I will work at a resturant or a farm like most people do. I am planning to stay in New Zealand for a year.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

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

Thanks for the advice but I will go either way. If I have to work in some resturant, I will do that. I would prefer to teach ESL but I am willing to do whatever to spend a year in New Zealand. Plus I only have 3 years left before I am too old for the working holiday visa.

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject: It's just a joke!

SolitaryThrush · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 32

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I had a former teacher send me some information about different TESOL programs.

Another former professor mentioned a Master's in (East) Asian Studies. Anyone have any experience with this? The schools in the US that offer it seem quite competitive and the program seems a little redundant right now since I live in East Asia. Has anyone (or anyone's friend) done an Asian Studies program?

Beyond1984 · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 462

"Hello everyone, I'm hoping someone could point me in the right direction . . . -Solitary Thrush

I went to University of Florida twenty years ago (!) after having earned an Hon BA in English and an MA in English. I was awarded a Fellowship and Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

They paid me well to attend - but this was while Florida was still reeling from the effects of the Mariel Boat-lift and desperate to help the Spanish speakers who were incompetent in both English and Spanish.

Good luck!

-HDT

"How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it."
-Henry David Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," 1849

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

Please see my cautionary advice about planning your ESL career when you return to the US under the "US Cities that are good for ESL Jobs?" section of the forum above.