Job Discussion Forums

sze · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 5

Hi Everyone.

My question is if it were easier for someone to get an MA in English rather than in TEFL, and they only wanted to work in the middle east, would you recommend they get that degree?

I'm also going to add that I want to get my 6-12 teacher certification in English from the USA and would probably prefer a high school level job.

So knowing that, is an MA even necessary? Will it help me at all/set me apart, or no? Same questions regarding a master's in Education?

Thanks.

Deicide · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:43 am Post subject: Re: MA in English

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:56 am Post subject:

Dear sze,

The MA in TEFL would be of much more value in the Middle East. The MA in English would be of more value getting a 6-12 teaching job in the States.

Is an MA necessary? I'd say that while it's not absolutely necessary, it would help - maybe a lot. A BA these days is about the equivalent of a high school diploma fifty years ago.

Regards,
John

sze · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 5

Thank you both for your responses. Were you serious about the law/engineering degree question? That's a whole career change Razz

Here's another thing to add - I wouldn't pay anything for the degree, my parents won't let me. So I would have 0 student loans. But, in exchange, they don't want me to leave home and want me to complete the MA right after the BA.

So there isn't a real loss, right, if I'm not paying for it? I mean if it counts for anything (in the middle east) I think I would complete it..

And I would do the MA in TEFL but there are no colleges in my area that offer that concentration. So I was wondering if this would be counted as the next best thing.

Deicide · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:30 am Post subject:

sze · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 5

Lol..I'm not really in this for the money..actually I'm not in this for the money at all...my dad is the chairman of the ER dept and my mom is a well ranked primary care doc..trust me I hear that every single moment of every single day, and like I tell them, it isnt for me. but thanks anyway Smile

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:28 am Post subject:

Dear sze: Could your parents adopt me? I'm 51 and all, but I can make my own bed...

NCTBA

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

You don't mention if you have any experience in teaching at any level? Gulf employers prefer people with post graduate experience - usually at least 3 years.

That said, you might get into a K-12 school with the right paperwork but without experience, but I doubt if you'd be considered at the tertiary level.

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Getting an M.A. in English will land you a different kind of job (freshman composition) than getting an M.A. in TESOL.

If you want to teach high school, just make sure you get a teaching license/endorsement along with the grad degree. And if money is no object, you could consider the private schools, like Monterrey (not sure if they offer K-12 certification though).

Also, I know that in Washington state, speaking Spanish is big boost to your ability to get a high school ESL job.