|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
mozzar
Joined: 16 May 2009
Posts: 339
Location: France
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:42 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| Ok, so you have a lot of qualifications, but very few seem specifically orientated towards ELT. It'd be like me saying that if I had an M.A. in TEFL, why couldn't I work as an accountant. Choosing the right qualification for the job you want to do is a pretty obvious tactic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Teacher in Rome wrote: |
Chancellor: I partly agree with what you say, but in most jobs, you only realise you're underqualified when you've been made redundant / want a career change and realise your skills set is ten years old.
On the other hand, some degrees / quals are so prestigious that they open doors anyway. MBA from Harvard - come right in. |
That's unfortunate because it doesn't necessarily mean the person is qualified - I cite former U. S. President and moron-in-chief G. W. Bush as a prime example. He had an MBA from Yale (either that or Harvard, whichever one has that skull and bones society he and John Kerry were part of).
| Quote: |
| There are most definitely alternatives to the qualifications hamster wheel. How many of the big names in EFL have MAs? How many of the authors, industry thought-leaders have all these qualifications? You can still have a great career in EFL outside teaching institutions. Write materials, get involved in e-learning, community learning, state teaching, present at conferences... Follow some of the great EFL educators on Twitter, write your own blog, develop your PLN - the "entry barriers" have truly never been so low. (And, speaking personally, I have never come across such a kind, welcoming group of people as those on Twitter or actively blogging.) |
So, it seems the degrees and qualifications are more for getting into a career than for advancing in it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Posts: 1286
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chancellor: Yes, they open doors, but once inside, there are other options.
I've been in and out of TEFL since 1988, but never done much more than the RSA Dip - in itself a good qualification. I'm not interested in spending money on another degree, but I am interested in using my TEFL background in other non-teaching ways. There's a lot you can do career-development wise without an MA. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chancellor posted
| Quote: |
| He had an MBA from Yale (either that or Harvard, whichever one has that skull and bones society he and John Kerry were part of). |
That's in my backyard, New Haven, CT. I thought everyone knew that Yale graduates (Elis) who joined the skull and crossbones (wickedly portrayed in Doonesbury some years ago) regularly drank blood from skulls and dressed in drag.
Fluffy,
In Japan it's almost getting to a point where the better jobs here require a PhD, never mind a MA/MS or really good connections.
I agree, some of the ESL/EFL theory is overvalued by some administrators (who often don't teach or rarely teach themselves). I've considered getting a PhD, but then some things I'm considering doing not related to teaching would make it an expensive proposition.
AS to coming to Japan years ago (and making that boatload of cash), seems I'm one of those who missed the golden years here (though I work with some who did come here in the 80s and even some who arrived in the 70s), and only started making quite a lot more money a few years back. So my boat isn't quite full yet...
Cheers,
GA, a disenchanted paper ideals chaser |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
