Job Discussion Forums

TX · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: TX

Anybody heard of the MATESOL from the New School in NYC?
It's all online. I am especially interested in their curriculum specialization.
It's one year fulltime.

I want to be able to teach at universities overseas but also I want to be able to find jobs in the US working higher up in departments designing curriculum for ESL programs/ etc.

Is this program respected? As respected as a 2 year program?

Thanks,
TX

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

I've heard excellent things, and met some staff from there at KOTESOL in Korea last year. They have a very professional crew, and some decent academics as well.

I've heard that Scott Thornbury teaches there in summer sessions, which I suppose is also a draw.

About work in the US, I'd check licensing issues very carefully? Where do you want to work exactly? I don't know if the New School programs leads to, or can easily be upgraded to, a state teaching certificate in most states- I don't know that it doesnt', though, so I'd look into it, if that's something you'll want.

But the one year/two year issue is no issue. Some of the most prestigious MAs in the world are only a year.

Best,
Justin

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

New School is top-notch in the US in the field. Jeremy Harmer's there as well (not that Thornbury and Harmer alone make the program). Of the US programs, I think this one has the greatest international prestige in the field, and should certainly be a solid qual for US positions.

TX · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: TX

Really? Awesome! I wonder if I would get hired to teach at uni., even if I focused on curriculum over teaching. I want to make myself employable on both fronts.
I'm also waiting to hear back from UT Austin about their grad program but I am liking the idea of an online degree- I could continue working (I teach high school.)
Thank You- TX

FunGus · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 34

I'll be graduating this May from the New School MA-Curriculum Development program.

I know it can be completed in one year...but, trust me, three classes is a full-time load. Full-time as in no time for anything else.

Even studying part-time with a job is going to mean almost all of your time outside of work will be spent on coursework. That's what I've done, and it's been a tough two years. But I'm glad I've done it.

Anyway, let me know if you have any other questions.

TX · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: TX

You are glad you did it?
Is the program somewhat reputable?
What do you plan to do with it?

FunGus · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 34

To answer your questions:

am definitely glad I did it. Have learned a tremendous amount and have grown as a teacher as well.

To be completely honest, I went into the program thinking that doing an online course would be easier than something on site, but I quickly learned otherwise. The courses are challenging and the instructors as well as my classmates on the whole have been very intelligent and great to work with.

The program is very reputable in Europe, though this seems to be mostly due to the names of the instructors.

I can't really vouch for how reputable it is in the US, but my classmates who finished in December have had no problems finding work both in the private sector and in universities.

I was accepted to take part in the English Language Fellow program through Georgetown, but have had to back out due to personal reasons. I plan to reapply next year, but in the meantime I'm going to be involved in teacher training and teaching ESP courses.

And I'm also working a book proposal.

Overall, the only real downside of the program, as far as I can tell, is the cost.