Job Discussion Forums

MattElz · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 92 Location: New York, NY, USA

What does an MATESOL enable you to do if you choose to work in the US? What do most graduates do with it in the USA? What is the job market like? What will it be like?

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

The job market right now kinda sucks--that's why I'm in Japan instead of California.

You could do intensive ESL programs--either private language schools or through universities--and some community college teaching. An MA alone, however, won't get you into K-12 teaching. You need a credential to do that. (Of course, that requirement probably varies by state.)

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MattElz · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 92 Location: New York, NY, USA

I'm not looking to teach K-12. I'm more interested in teaching foreign college students in the US.

Belmont · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:06 am Post subject: MATesol

You will be very limited in teaching options with the MATesol. If your only goal is to teach foreign students in the US, you'd be able to do that of course. However, for as much time and $ as the TESOL MA takes, there are other MA options in the area of English that will make you more employable when you want to move on from ESL/EFL but will still give you the opportunity to work with foreign students. Shop around!

Capergirl · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:49 am Post subject:

@Belmont...What other MA options are better than the MA TESOL?

Belmont · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:09 pm Post subject: MA TESOL

@Capergirl: What's a better MA to get? One that will allow you to teach in the academic department of English. If you look at job postings for community colleges and unis in the US, you'll see what I mean. So many of them want people who can teach composition, lit., journalism, etc. If your MA has a broader scope you'd be able to apply for these positions. Also, not all areas of the States have an abundance of foreign students who can afford to bring their English up to speed at a college or uni.

However, the MA TESOL will get you a better job overseas of course, but when you do finally come home you'll find yourself in a different situation. At least in the US, we're awash with underemployed people with MA's in TESOL--trying to patch together part-time work into a living.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

[quote="Belmont
However, the MA TESOL will get you a better job overseas of course, but when you do finally come home you'll find yourself in a different situation. At least in the US, we're awash with underemployed people with MA's in TESOL--trying to patch together part-time work into a living.[/quote]

I guess that's more of a reason to stay overseas Smile

jobe3x · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 45

Belmont · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:37 am Post subject: MA TESOL

To jobe3x,

If you look up in this thread, I was responding to a topic started by MattElz who asked about the worthwhileness (is that a word?...it much be, I just wrote it!) of getting an MA in TESOL for the purpose of teaching foreign students in the US.

Political administrations change; the qualifications for getting a decent teaching job don't. Wink

Capergirl · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Belmont. In Canada, not all universities have ESL programs that operate through their English departments so that's not always an issue, but one to consider nonetheless. I appreciate the input.