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chicagogirl · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Chicago, IL

Hi there!
I would really like to work on my masters while living/teaching in Mexico. I'm pretty sure there arn't any MA in Tesol programs (at least I haven't been able to find any)...but I was wondering about a Masters in Education Program??...Does anyone know of any good programs or have any advice. I'm ready to leave the states, explore a new culture, and learn Spanish.

My BA was in theater and I don't really have any teaching experience (a few months of volunteer as an ESL teacher). I am planning on getting a tefl certicate and moving there in June. I have a strong desire to get my Masters so I can teach in Universities....and back in the States if I do return.

My spanish in intermediate, I've taken a few classes and can get around on my own. Someone told me that alot of grad programs are taught in English..is this true?

Thanks for any advice or info anyone has!
Chrisitna

MELEE · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject:

First of, you should check out the Universidad de la Americas (UDLA) in Puebla. They have a MA TESOL program which seems to be quite good, but also a bit pricey.

I would say that it is not true that most MA programs in Mexico are taught in English, and even the ones that are would also require a fairly high level of Spanish. Without a doubt most MA programs in all subject areas have extensive required reading lists in English and it is vital that the participants be able to read in their subject area in English, and many MAs in Mexico have a TOEFL score of 500 as part of their enterance requirements. Some classes are taught by foriegn faculty who may be more comfortable with English than Spanish. And I believe that the MA at UDLA is taught in English, but I think that the university may have a Spanish requirement for non native speakers of Spanish.

Have you considered doing a distance MA? I've met several teachers who are working on a distance MA while teaching in Mexico.

chicagogirl · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Chicago, IL

Hi Melee!
Thanks for the information! I'm going to look into the program at UDLA. I believe I tried to contact them before and they said they didn't have the Tesol program..but I will try them again...maybe I was talking to wrong dept.

Do Educators take the distant MA degrees seriously? I haven't really looked into those programs so I don't know much about them. Do recommend any?

Thanks again for your advice Exclamation

Christina