Job Discussion Forums

[Batman89]

Hello all!

My name is Mike and I have been lurking on this forum for a few months now. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude because this site has been a treasure for ESL information. Here is some more information about me:

-Moved to New York City when I was 3 years old from the former USSR.
-Received a BA in International Relations this past May.
-Studied abroad in the Netherlands last Fall.

While searching for a job this summer and from internships that I've done during undergrad, I've realized that I have zero interest in business or finance. I have narrowed my career choices down to non-profit work and teaching. So far, I am leaning toward teaching because by completing school in the U.S.A. it seems that I can work almost anywhere besides Western Europe. The countries/regions that I am thinking about teaching in are South Korea, Japan, Turkey and Eastern Europe. I will also consider Argentina.

Therefore my question is: even though I am qualified for entry level work in Korea and Japan, would attending graduate school first be a good idea? Also, will being a fluent Russian speaker help my chances in Eastern Europe? (Note: I don't want to work in Russia). I am thinking of completing an MA in Social Studies Education. I can save a lot of money by attending school here in NYC and living at home. My train of thought is that:

1. I will be qualified to work anywhere in the United States.
2. I can still teach abroad and having an MA in education will make me more competitive.
3. I can at some point teach history/politics abroad to advanced English speakers or at an international school. (Although I'm not sure how often this opportunity arises.)

So far I found a part-time job tutoring and I am enjoying it. I am thinking of enrolling in a CELTA course soon and then gaining experience tutoring ESL.

Do you guys think that this is a good plan?

Thanks
-Mike

[denise]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Your plan is a bit unclear to me. You want to 1) teach English, then 2) go back for an MA, and then 3) teach English and/or social studies?

If you want to teach English, I'd say get a TEFL certificate and then go for an entry-level job. Getting an MA in a marginally related field will only help you, well, marginally for ESL positions.

And if you do want to teach English and also get an MA, TESOL or Applied Linguistics would serve you better.

If you want to teach in international schools, doing a couple of years of entry-level ESL teaching won't help. With your MA + a couple of years teaching the subject in the US, you would be qualified.

d

[Glenski]

Mike,
Have you become a naturalized U.S. citizen? If not, you may find it difficult to get work in some situations.

Assuming you are now an American citizen, you have to be the one to decide whether to get the MA first or to dive into teaching and get it later.

Come to the Japan forum for news about that country. Basically, the situation here is very crowded with teachers and wannabe teachers. I don't know how employers are sorting out their entry level employees anymore, but if there are as many applicants per position that I've heard, any edge will help in some cases. In other cases where employers may not care about the degree (or fear an MA because it suggests that person would try to change the school's system of teaching), you'd be in the same boat as others.

Get the MA now, and you can do it in the comfort of the U.S., with PT work to tide you over. Get it by distance education while you are working abroad, and it will be harder work, IMO.

If you really want to make teaching EFL/ESL a career, get the degree.

Holding an MA will not make you eligible for teaching at international schools. You need a teaching license and 2 years of experience in the U.S. for that in most cases.

[Batman89]

Denise:

I guess I should have been more clear about my conundrum. My living situation is okay but it isn't ideal. The problem is that my apartment in Brooklyn is too small. I have a much younger brother and my parents bought this apartment before he was born. I want to be able to give up my room to him in the next few years. My parents are in no way pressuring me to move out, but I feel a bit guilty for taking up space.

What I fear most is a situation in which I leave now, have a bad experience teaching abroad, and decide to move back to the U.S. If that happens then I don't think I will have the luxury of living at home again. Therefore, I feel that I should get my MA in the U.S. while I still have the chance. If I go abroad with an MA and and I don't like it, then I will have better job prospects when returning to the US.

Sorry if this is a bit confusing. To summarize, I am asking if it is better to

1. Leave to teach abroad with only a BA, or
2. Attend graduate school first.

Glenski:

I have attended school in New York from kindergarten to my BA so English is my first language and yes, I am a citizen. I was wondering if having Russian skills will make me more marketable in Eastern Europe. In regard to working in Asia, I would like to start out being recruited by a reputable organization such as EPIK or JET. I definitely do not plan on moving to the country and just winging it.

-Mike

[_smaug]

[ancient_dweller]

You say you are orginally from the USSR. Why not go to Russia then? Would you be able to get citizenship?

Also, there is loads of other not for profit work. NGOs for example.

[spiral78]