Job Discussion Forums

Capergirl · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:26 pm Post subject: Master's degree in ....... ?

All of this talk about Master's degrees has me thinking. How do you (or did you) decide which degree to pursue? After all, there are so many graduate degrees related to ELT: MA in Linguistics, MA in Applied Linguistics, MA in TESL, MA in TESOL, MEd, etc.

Are some better than others or are they all more or less the same?

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

It depends on what you want to do with your degree.

"Linguistics" is probably not the best bet if you want to teach, as it's very theoretical. Jobs which require MAsters usually will not accept a Linguistics degree - they will want Applied Linguistics or TEFL/TESOL Masters.

If you're quite sure you want to stay in this wonderful profession, TESL or TESOL would be fine. However, if you're not certain, and might want to get involved in something like sociolinguistics or translation, Applied Linguistics would be a better bet as it's broader in scope.

Capergirl · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:44 am Post subject:

Wow, the volume of replies is underwhelming! Laughing

Thanks, Cleopatra. I have been looking into doing my MA in TESOL recently but have heard that a Master's in Applied Linguistics is somehow a "better" degree. I was just wondering if there really is any difference between the degrees.

Scott in HK · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 148

I decided on my master's program by going through the offered courses at different universities...I think the important thing is to take a course that really interests you...I finally decided on a M'Ed in literacy and language as 'reading' really interests me...and the thought of teaching young kids to read scare the hell out of me when I was a student teacher....

Unfortunately...M'Ed programs often ask their applicants to have a B'Ed or other teaching qualification....

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

Sorry, Capergirl. I saw this thread and meant to reply earlier but the first week back at school has kept me busy. (Refer to the "how to finish your MA" threads for: "social life, lack thereof.")

I chose to do a MA TESL. Why? Well, the program is offered by the same uni where I did my BA, so it was easy to research it by talking to both students and professors about it, sitting in on classes, etc. It's not perfect -- what program is? -- but I really liked what I saw. Since I want to teach and the program is very practical in its orientation, it seemed like the best fit for me. As an added bonus, some of the professors have done work in areas that interest me. The partial scholarship they offered didn't hurt either.

No degree will guarantee my future but I think I made the best choice for my situation. And it's fun and interesting, despite the sleep deprivation.

Hope that's useful somehow.

Nobuhle · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 17 Location: Xi'an, China

Here's my brief story:

I did my Master's in Education. Not knowing if I wanted to specialize in ESL my entire life, I thought it would be better to do my M.ED. (I have my teaching credential.) I chose to do my research in HIV/AIDS education since that is something I am very interested in. (I was living in South Africa at the time.) I was fully aware that I would be leaving South Africa at the end of my Masters degree and that, for my career, it may not have been the smartest thing to study something that was very localized to South Africa, but I loved what I studied.

I am a strong believer in studying things that you love and are interested in. Even if the particular topic is not as relevant to your career as another similar topic may be, study what interests you. You will thank yourself later for having enriched your mind and life by doing what makes you happy.

Erica

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

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

i'm looking at getting mine in International Education. But it will definetely be something with Education. i dont want to go the linguistics route.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Although some job ads specify a Master's in lingusitics, others ask for "English or a related subject." I'm sure that many employers would happily accept applicants with Master's in arts subjects, languages or economics. King's College offer a Master's in War Studies, which I dare say would catch the attention of anyone recruiting EFL teachers for the military.
Having said all that, you might want to think twice before embarking on a Master's in Hamburgerology.

Capergirl · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:13 pm Post subject:

It is beginning to sound as though Applied Linguistics might be the wisest choice for me after all. Thanks for the input, folks. Cool

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Capergirl,
I'm seriously looking at UNE or USQ, both Aussie universities and their degrees are in Applied Linguistics. Can't decide between the two.

johnslat

Looks like the price of Higher Education in the UK is going to be higher

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=2&u=/ap/20040127/ap_on_re_eu/britain_blair

Regards,
John

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Make that "England," John, because this piece of legislation doesn't apply to Scotland. Our Parliament has yet to pass such legislation. I say "yet" because I'm sure the Blair bootlickers up here will try to follow suit.
Had it not been for the support of Scottish Labour MPs, the Government would have lost the vote. This will fuel the controversy about Scottish MPs voting on issues that affect England. Having said that, it will have a knock-on effect when more English students apply to Scottish universities, thereby stiffening the competition for places at university here.
Methinks President Blair has opened a king-size can of worms.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:58 pm Post subject:

In response to your earlier question, another distinction between Applied Linguistics and TESOl is that the former tends to be more "academic" and less 'hands-on'in scope, though the emphasis would depend on the university concerned.

schminken · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject:

My MA is in Applied Linguistics and I don't regret it at all! Erica, you are right. People should study what they have a real interest in. I chose a programme that had a pratical component. It wasn't all just broad theory with no practice. I had to teach university level ESL and German the whole 2 years of my MA study. I feel I got the best of both worlds.

I know there are programmes out there that are based only on language education theory. I don't reccommend those. It's one thing to learn about course design and assessment in the classroom and a whole different thing to put theory into practice!