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Getting an MA
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:35 am Post subject:

lion101 wrote:

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it. I am currently contemplating whether to get my ma in TESOL or get an ma in education with k-12 teaching credential. I really want to work overseas so that is why I want to ask experienced individuals such as yourselves about the job market. So it seems like you guys are confident that there is a future in TESOL(in the gulf) and the only issue is that the pay might drop a little.

This leads me to my next question which is do you guys think a k-12 teaching job with an ma is better than a TESOL job with an ma in the gulf. I am asking because I am trying to decide which ma program to pursue. It seems like the TESOl jobs are require less work with similar or better pay, do you guys agree?

Do you guys think an ma in TESOL is a better route than an ma in education with k-12 teaching license for the gulf?

An MA TESOL is ideal for direct-hire university positions, which tend to offer better pay, benefits, and working conditions. However, it's unclear what you mean by "jobs that require less work." If you're just looking to skate by with little effort, forget about an MA and head to KSA. There are entry-level TEFL jobs available now via contracting companies for BA holders (in any major) who have a CELTA/equivalent cert and 1-2 years of experience. Check out the Cafe's job board for openings and specific requirements.

Otherwise, per my response in your other thread, if teaching youngsters interests you, get an MA in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education. You'll also need a relevant teaching license and 1-2 years of experience gained in your home country in order to compete for the better international school jobs in the region (i.e., the UAE and Qatar). In fact, the UAE has the most international schools of any country in the world. Check out Teach Away's site for info.

lion101

Joined: 29 Mar 2016
Posts: 32

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:44 am Post subject:

Thanks

nomad soul wrote:

lion101 wrote:

lion101

Joined: 29 Mar 2016
Posts: 32

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 4:50 am Post subject:

also if I decide to come back to teach in California, do you guys think an ma in TESOL could get you decent jobs in California? have any of you taught in the states with your ma?

nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:01 am Post subject:

Uh, this is the Saudi forum. Instead of asking about US opportunities on this website, research TESOL job ads in your selected state(s) to get a sense of what's required. In fact, get in the habit of doing your own research; you'll need those skills if you expect to succeed in grad school.

lion101

Joined: 29 Mar 2016
Posts: 32

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:19 am Post subject:

ok, thank you

nomad soul wrote:

Uh, this is the Saudi forum. Instead of asking about US opportunities on this website, research TESOL job ads in your selected state(s) to get a sense of what's required. In fact, get in the habit of doing your own research; you'll need those skills if you expect to succeed in grad school.

scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:53 pm Post subject:

Spacefleet Academy in orbit around Epsilon Centauri is a good place - especially for trolls.

lion101

Joined: 29 Mar 2016
Posts: 32

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:53 pm Post subject:

Lol

scot47 wrote:

Spacefleet Academy in orbit around Epsilon Centauri is a good place - especially for trolls.

bosch02

Joined: 16 Mar 2016
Posts: 11

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Getting an MA

nomad soul wrote:

Odd question.
What makes you think there wouldn't be? However, you'll likely need a year or more of post-degree TEFL experience to go with that TEFL-related MA.

Well I thought you said on the other thread TEFL positions will be greatly reduced by 2018?

nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: Getting an MA

Here's that discussion, which clearly was regarding the UAE not Saudi Arabia:

nomad soul wrote:

bosch02 wrote:

nomad soul wrote:

Anyway, TEFL opportunities in the UAE will be greatly reduced by 2018, so that leaves Oman. It is what it is.

What makes you think that?

If you're asking about the UAE, see Foundation year at UAE state universities to be scrapped from 2018. There's also a 2014 discussion thread on the topic on the UAE forum. Hiring has already slowed down.

Anyway, you're still working on your BA, which puts you years away from the type of qualifications and experience required for the better positions in the region. (And that's if your online BA doesn't hinder your chances despite your claim that you intend to get an on-campus MA TESOL.)

indirect.object

Joined: 26 May 2008
Posts: 64

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:06 am Post subject:

lion101 wrote:

also if I decide to come back to teach in California, do you guys think an ma in TESOL could get you decent jobs in California? have any of you taught in the states with your ma?

That's an important question, buddy; and, it is appropriate to ask in this forum since you're speculating about job prospects in California for somebody returning from teaching in Saudi Arabia.

After getting my MA in English / TESL from a state university about 10 years ago, I taught part-time in the US at a nearby state university. It was a good job, but at the time I really wanted a full-time job, so I split after completing my contract.

I believe it's helpful to know what kind of career you want, or whether you want a career at all. If you want a TESOL teaching career, which I would not necessarily recommend, then thinking long-term is important.

I met with a dean and a professor of ESL at a beautiful California hilltop community college last month and was advised that there are really not that many Saudi ESL students in the Bay area. Students are mostly Hispanic. So, if one were to do well teaching in Saudi Arabia, that experience might not make one very competitive in every TESL market. For example, one could probably expect a lot more interest in a TESOL instructor with experience teaching Arab males in a place like Detroit with its big Arab community, but that's a far cry from California.

Also, the ladies at the community college convinced me that the only way to get work here is to shoot for part-time community college or university jobs, perform well and get known by one's colleagues, cultivate a network, and start working a second, part-time job at another college simultaneously. Full-time jobs do not come up often and are very hard to get; and, I believe there are a lot of part-timers with long experience in a locality who may be well-prepared to seize any full time opening.

My wife has a BA and California teaching credentials. She was blessed to easily get a full-time job teaching 4th grade in a very reasonable district and makes much more than a part time ESL instructor would at a college or university. In fact, her salary is about equivalent to a full-time college ESL instructor's.

When I started my MA in English / TESL, somebody suggested going into law instead. I now think that was a pretty good suggestion.

I hope this helps.

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