Job Discussion Forums

Michael In Tainan · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 31

I am posting this here in hopes of obtaining as many opinions as possible.
Currently, I am living in Taiwan. I have been teaching here for the past 3 years. Recently, I have been getting that "itch" to move on. I want to return to the states and go back to school. I need to do a semester of student teaching in order to complete my teaching credential program. I also want to get a MA. It seems that most of the "better" gigs require a MA. Now, this is where my dilemma lies...........

My long term goal is to eventually return to the states and teach social science, so a MA in Education would be a good move. In the mean time I want to continue teaching abroad, and a MA in TESL would be help me out there. But, from what I have seen online, most "good" jobs simple require a MA with some kind of TESL certificate.

So, my question is: a MA in TESL or Education?
From those of you who have MA's in either of the two or those of you who know from experience, what do you think?

Also, as far as the various TESL certificates that are offered out there, which one/ones are the best for job placement? Does the CELTA carry a lot of weight?

Thank you

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

Since you plan on leaving EFL and teaching social science, I think the MA in Education would be better for you. An MA in TESOL/TESL/EFL won't do much good towards teaching other subject matter.

d

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I'm going to respectfully post the exact opposite as Denise. In the states it will not matter what your MA is in. Many states now require an MA for permament certification. They don't care what it is in, but rather just want their teachers to have advanced and ongoing education. An MA of Ed is useful for elementary school teaching, but it is not the norm for secondary ed. Many teachers that do have it did so because it was an easy program to get into and is usually offered in the evening.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

I did a Master of Education, specialising in TESOL. Quite frankly, I don't think there is any prescribed difference between an MA TEFL/TESOL and an MEd TEFL/TESOL or any of the regular combinations. The difference lies in what each specific course offers as electives, and which electives you choose. Far more important is which football team you support, whether or not you wear a tie at interview, etc.

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

Guest of Japan--

That's great news!!! Maybe it means that those of us who went the TESOL route can, in fact, find jobs in the States?!?! I was assuming that I wouldn't be able to do anything outside of ESL once I got back home (not that I want to do anything other than ESL, but it's always nice to have choices).

d

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I should qualify my response a bit. You'll need to take the approved amount of education courses, do student teaching and take a few exams.
Each state has different qualifications. Truthfully though, outside of elementary ed. a masters of ed. doesn't have that much meaning. A doctorate of ed. is a different story.