Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

Hi there.

I've been accepted (almost) into an MA TESOL program (in 2011) through Nottingham university. Not 100 percent committed to it yet, but I currently have my heart set on it. If you're wondering HOW I was accepted, it was through my teaching experience (around 6 years) and my TESOL certificate.

Just wondering if I'd be able to obtain work (preferably university) without a BA? My experience is mostly K-9, though I've taught some IELTS classes as well (I have an IELTS training certificate through the British Council).

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

I have heard that Saudi requires a first degree for employment, but I'm not sure about the other countries.

VS

[Afra]

It would seem that the UAE does not require an undergraduate degree as there are people at both ZU and HCT who have only CELTA and MA.

[Sudz]

I've heard that the better jobs can be obtained with an MA TESOL plus 3 years of experience - some people mention post-grad. I'm sure this wouldn't apply to just any old teaching experience?

Most of my experience comes from an 'International School' (notice the quotation!) Above language center experience (which I have some of), but not what I would call a PROPER international school (great place to work though).

The most academic material I've taught is related to IELTS training/testing. Perhaps I should hold off on UAE until I've obtained some post-grad experience elsewhere?

[Sudz]

Afra - Do you think having a CELTA along with an MA TESOL would be essential, or even beneficial?

[veiledsentiments]

[Sudz]

Thanks for the input VS.

I do agree, but at the risk of sounding a bit flip-floppy, might I still have a fairly good shot at an employer which would provide a DECENT wage, as well as (perhaps) paid accommodation?

[veiledsentiments]

All education jobs for expats provide housing. "Decent" depends on your definition.

Once you finish that MA, you apply and see what offers you get. Then you can confirm here if it is a fair offer. ...difficult to say 2-3 years out in the future.

VS

[Sudz]

Fair enough

[uaeobserver]

MoHESR will likely not accept an MA-only --- they audit the trail all the way back to your secondary school.

It's nutty......

I helped someone, once with this nuttiness. She had a legitimate Master's, and a questionable Bachelor's. MoHESR would not accept the completely legitimate Master's since in their opinion, she was never eligible to enroll or the Master's. (the legitimate MS program decided she was bright enough - and she certainly was bright).

That's the problem with the UAE's fetish for official stamps and approvals.

[Sudz]

nutty is right

I've heard of people working in the middle-east with just a Masters. Perhaps it wasn't in UAE though...

[Sudz]

I wonder if they (MOHESR) would consider my experience sufficient to enter the MA TESOL program, or if they wouldn't subscribe to the idea that experience can 'bypass' a BA. I would guess 'no', if they deemed your friend's degree insufficient to enter an MA program - which the uni itself considered sufficient

Did your friend have an MA TESOL/Linguistics?

[veiledsentiments]

I suspect not. They are totally focused on the pieces of paper. The idea of experience trumping the classroom is just not in their mind set.

VS

[Sudz]

Hmmm perhaps Abu Dhabi/Dubai isn't in the cards, at least for now. Geez though I'd have to think: what if I DID earn a BA after my Masters, and I was still rejected due to having 'not earned the right' to have had my MA in the first place. It's like committing a murder, and not even having the privilege of covering up the evidence!

I'd be very interested if anyone else has any success/rejection stories regarding your lack of BA, or 'insufficient' BA?

[Afra]

There was indeed a time around 2004 when ZU and HCT were looking for external accreditation and teachers had to supply transcripts for all their degrees. They did not