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boysfromtheblackstuff · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 35

I agree with Scot.

Teachers and academics are two different career paths. IMHO there seems to be some confusion between the two, and the assumption is that because one can write a good PhD thesis or get an MA, one is able to teach English. It may be the case, but it is not a guarantee.

We are teachers and many in this part of the world are teaching in preparatory years. It doesn't need a PhD or an MA to teach a group of 19 year old's pre-intermediate English.

A CELTA, a couple of years solid experience, and a sound grasp of classroom management, are much more useful than an MA in Applied Linguistics.

For those of us (the ancient ones) who got degrees when only 1% of 18 year olds went to university (no one called it uni then!), the Bachelors degrees were far from worthless. The problem with sending 40% of 18 year olds on into higher education is that the market is now flooded with Bachelors degrees and they have been devalued into worthlessness. Pity the youth of today who have to struggle on through to an MA to give any evidence of academic ability.

Give me vocational qualifications and experience any day.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:03 pm Post subject:

For those who have their hands up to their ears saying La-La-La-La...to drown out sounds...I'll repeat:

First degrees generalize...

Second degrees specialize...

Does one need a second degree to teach Foundations...HELL NO!

But the question was as to the "point of an MA"...

NCTBA

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

As far as I know, Jane Goodall doesn't have a phd and she knows what separates us from apes.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_goodall_on_what_separates_us_from_the_apes.html

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject:

Dear Susie,

But now, thanks to Google and Wiki, you know further:

"Jane Goodall obtained a Ph.D degree in Ethology in 1965 from Cambridge University. She is one of only nine people to receive a Ph.D without first obtaining a BA or B.Sc. Her Thesis Advisor was Robert Hinde."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall

http://www.janegoodall.org.hk/downloads/Curriculum%20Vitae.pdf

Also, I think that much of Dr, Goodall's research has produced more data on the similarities between chimps and humans than on the differences:

"These findings suggest similarities between humans and chimpanzees exist in more than genes alone, but can be seen in emotion, intelligence, and family and social relationships."

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Now there is an example of someone with a PhD which is well-deserved and who has taught the whole world about the fascinating lives of our distant cousins...

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:33 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

They're not MY cousins; they're my nieces and nephews.

I am, after all, a monkey's uncle.

Regards,
John

trapezius · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The fact is Monsieur Trap that the PhD is a very recent development.