Job Discussion Forums

Mr Magoo · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

I'm looking to start a Distance Learning MA soon, and am wondering if it's best to do an MA in TESOL, an MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, or an MA in Applied Linguistics.

For all the the folks out there that have done them, has the specialism made any difference in real life i.e. jobs, promotions, usefulness etc? Or does it really make no difference - you've shown that you can study a Masters, and the subject fields are related anyway.

(This is, of course, in developing a TEFL career related context. I know that there are other reasons why some folks might want to do an Applied Linguistics degree over a TESOL one.)

I'm leaning towards the mix, just because it seems to kill two birds with one stone, but as I would first be doing a DELTA, I'm wondering if that will have a bearing.

Any ideas?

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

Some universities will accept the DELTA as part credit towards the master's program, which will save you money and, importantly, effort. I suspect, though, that these will be MA/MEd TESOL courses rather than Applied Linguistics. I would imagine that the best way to find out would be to contact the universities that interest you and ask them.

Another consideration is where you intend to work afterwards - language school, university language support centre or academic? Which country?

Hadit · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109

Does anyone know of where to find a list of MA programs also offering state certification in ESL?

I would really like to find an alternative teaching program leading to a Masters in ESL. Thanks.

Mr Magoo · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

Yeah, the Cambridge University DELTA website has the current listings of of MAs that acknowledge the DELTA towards their MAs.

My question is for a TEFL career in general, so where I'm going to work is irrelevant, as I'm asking if folks noticed a difference where they worked/are working regarding their MA subject. People sometimes work at a college, language centre, go into management, and all the rest, and over the years may well change the type of institution they work at.

So does anyone have any ideas? Does it really matter if you study/ied in Applied Linguistics or TESOL? Does one restrict you more than another in career choices/promotions?

Thanks.

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

??? (relevant information removed)

Mr Magoo · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

No, where I'm going to work is not relevant at all.

If you read the original post, you'll see my question. It's not about me. The question is to others about their experience, as my previous post to this makes quite clear.

Maybe you work in a college, language centre, school, in management etc. Has your choice of degree subject made any difference to you in your career?

If you don't have an answer to the question, kindly don't post a response. It's not productive and wastes our time.

In the nicest possible way...

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

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Mr Magoo · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

Nothing was nice about your post. Of course your question was about [b]you[/b]--you want to see how other people's experiences could affect your decision. I do have information that might help you, but forget it. Just do a friggin' google search. Don't waste our time with your questions, which of course have already been asked several times here. And you have no business whatsoever telling me not to post.

d[/quote]

Oh dear Denise, don't be sore. The question is not about me but others. Do re-read the OP. You have proven yourself far more rude than I by your continued off-topic ranting about your mistake. If you have a problem with something, PM me - that's what it's for. Otherwise it is indeed you who is wasting others' time.

As for your childish crack about "Don't waste our time with your questions" - ha ha! That's what this forum is for, doh! Getting up-to-date info about something, not old info!

Really, you need to lighten up - the post could have been a lot ruder, and justifiably so if your remarks are anything to go by.

PM me if you have a problem - don't hijack the thread with your pettiness.

Mr Magoo · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

GBBB - Thaks for your constructive input. It is definitely true that one can go down the specialised route, or the general one, but I was wondering how the choice that folks had made regarding their Masters subject had affected them subsequent to their graduation. I agree with you about how the subjects can sound more or less learned, thanks!

Chancellor

Chris_Crossley

During my time in China, which now stretches to eight years, I have gained both an M.Ed. degree in Applied Linguistics and an MA in Education by distance learning with the Open University.

In terms of gaining promotion and better pay after finishing them, nothing could be further from the truth! Not that I was expecting any, considering that my current position is probably one of the highest-paid positions for teachers without administrative responsibilities in my neck of the woods, plus the fact that I am not required for summer work but still get paid. Laughing

It is my intention to return to the U.K. in six years' time when my daughter is old enough to start secondary school, but, for the moment, I am quite content with my lot.

The study itself was good experience and I learned about the wonderful concept of social constructivism, something that does not really exist in educational institutions in China whereby students are otherwise and ordinarily given the opportunity to make explorations and construct knowledge for themselves whereas Chinese students are subjected to this age-old and very much outmoded didactic system whereby the teachers just spoonfeed them everything.

And such a system tells on the students that I teach, the ones who want to go to England after their pre-master's programme. Switching over from one educational system to another takes some getting used to from their point of view, but sometimes I have wondered about the collective psychology of students subjected to didactic systems of education. It might be even worth researching for an Ed.D. research degree - once I finally return to the Old Country, that is!

Doing the masters was worth the investment of time and money, so I certainly do not regret undertaking them.

Englishish · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 78

I was checking into the differences too. I noticed the that the Uni of Leicester (in the UK) was offering two MAs; one was TESOL and the other Applied Linguistics and TESOL. The university recommended the MA TESOL for people who were new to teaching and the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL to people who had already several years of teaching experience. I don't know if the same holds true with other universities though.