Job Discussion Forums

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I was getting a bit confused, too, with all of these references to degrees and first degrees!

By "first degree," I meant a BA--for those of us in the US, a four-year degree. In all but the rarest of circumstances, you need one before you can get an MA. Some countries require BAs for visa purposes, and many schools will ask for one just as a basic qualification. Even if you apply to schools that don't require them, most of the other applicants will have degrees.

I'd suggest getting a degree/BA and a TEFL certificate, then teaching for a year or so to see if you like it, and then applying to MA programs.

Ted--your comment about MAs vs. DELTAs really interested me. I know that in the US we need MAs, and I've seen more job announcements abroad that ask for MAs than DELTAs, but surely the DELTA has a purpose?!?!? It does seem like more of a European qualification, in much the same way that CELTA is more European while the rest of the world will accept other TEFL qualifcations. What, then, are the benefits of getting a DELTA?

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Philleasfogg · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 Location: near Manchester, UK

I think I get the degrees now, thats what I thought you meant by a first degree Confused

Thats one vote for each option. Thanks for your advice Denise, it's all been very helpful.

Cool

p.s. I intend to do the degree in Linguistics or something similar (so many options !!!),would you say there are any subjects that are particularly usefull in securing a decent job or is it just about having a degree (BA)?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

You certainly have put your hope, faith and future in something you know nothing about.

Philleasfogg · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 11 Location: near Manchester, UK

I guess there is no better teacher than experience Laughing

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:33 am Post subject:

amykittin · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I'm looking at the Man Uni CELTA in February as well, but I'm saving in my current job so I can afford to do that full time over the 4 weeks. I've done the whole part time MSc thing and to be honest it'd be nice to concentrate on one thing or the other. I've heard the 4 week CELTAs are pretty heavy going! Not going anywhere as profitable as you though *lol* not as much pay in Turkey from reading around!

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

TEFL wages are low in Turkey but they are better in real terms than in the rest of Europe.

You do not seem to realise that TEFL is a low pay industry like fruit picking or cleaning.

amykittin · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I've gathered from this web site it isn't a job to save money (certainly not in Turkey) but as long as I've enough to get by on and I'm not starving that's okay. I will be splitting accommodation costs at least, and it's a little cheaper in Ankara than Istanbul. They don't fake the prices at the sight of your skin colour there.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:37 am Post subject:

There are countries that offer significant savings per month - US$1000 per month and up - even with just a bachelor's degree. Korea and Japan are great for newbies who want to save a little. Eastern Europe (or western Asia in the case of Turkey) are places where you can feed yourself - live okay, but not really save any significant money.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

With a decent job in Korea and overtime you could save $2000 a month plus your pension refund(if you are single).