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MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"?

 
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racethesun



Joined: 24 Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:36 am    Post subject: MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"? Reply with quote
Hello all,

Let me preface my post by saying that my question is purely for research/planning/hypothesizing, but I'd appreciate your opinions all the same. Points I feel are pertinent:

1. I'm a total n00b; I'm about to start my CELTA course in August, but I've had a few short-term (3-4 months) somewhat illegitimate teaching jobs before (China). Just enough experience to know that I want to make sure I have good qualifications so I can land future jobs that provide benefits and don't pay me in cash under the table, haha.

2. I plan to go back to school to pursue my Ph.D in linguistics, but not any time soon. Ideally, I'd like to spend the next ~12 years teaching abroad, preferably at a high school or post-secondary level (the first few years, to gain experience, I plan to do 3-4 month volunteer teaching jobs, working with kids most likely).

3. I'd love to do the Masters International program through Peace Corps (1 year at university in the U.S. + 27 months of PC service = MA degree). I've found a school that participates in this program that I really like, but the degree isn't MA of TESOL, but rather MA of Linguistics with a TESOL option. The core classes are the same, but the main difference is that the TESOL option requires you to take specific TESOL related classes instead of being able to choose your electives (like for a regular MA in Linguistics).

That being said, my question is this: if I were to decide to pursue this program and receive an MA in linguistics with a TESOL specialization basically, do you think this would be accepted (or viewed as equivalent) by jobs abroad (in the ME for example) that often require an MA in TESOL? I think this option would be more beneficial when applying to schools for my Ph.D. since it's technically a degree in linguistics, but I don't want it to diminish my options for teaching in a SE Asian university, or in the ME, or wherever I end up over the next decade or so. Thoughts?

I know this question may seem a little trivial since it's not directly related to any imminent decisions for me, but I'd love your advice/opinions just so I can know what to expect in the future and think about some plans.

Thanks so much!
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:02 am    Post subject: Re: MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"? Reply with quote
racethesun wrote:
...if I were to decide to pursue this program and receive an MA in linguistics with a TESOL specialization basically, do you think this would be accepted (or viewed as equivalent) by jobs abroad (in the ME for example) that often require an MA in TESOL?

It's irrelevant. If you look at the job postings for the Middle East (Gulf region), they generally state that an MA in TESOL, linguistics, English, or a closely-related field is required. You'd be hard pressed to find a university employer that specifies an MA in TESOL as the only acceptable degree. Case in point, I have an MA in Teaching (MAT) with a TEFL emphasis and I teach in a university in the Gulf.
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rtm



Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:15 am    Post subject: Re: MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"? Reply with quote
racethesun wrote:

2. I plan to go back to school to pursue my Ph.D in linguistics, but not any time soon. Ideally, I'd like to spend the next ~12 years teaching abroad, preferably at a high school or post-secondary level (the first few years, to gain experience, I plan to do 3-4 month volunteer teaching jobs, working with kids most likely).

My first question when I read this was "Why do you want to get a PhD?". That is, what is your end goal?

If it is to be a linguistics professor in the US, you might want to think about timing. You haven't said, but I'm guessing you're around 24 now. Add on a couple years for an MA (26), then your 12 years of teaching abroad (38 ), then start a PhD program. Around 5-8 years is typical for a linguistics PhD in the US, so you'd be around 43-46 when you finally graduate and start trying to get a job (if you are lucky -- the trend is for people to spend a few years adjuncting or as a low-paid post-doc before getting a position as a professor). Basically, the 12 years teaching abroad would be a good experience, but wouldn't be doing you any favors if you want to be a professor of linguistics.

Quote:
3. I'd love to do the Masters International program through Peace Corps (1 year at university in the U.S. + 27 months of PC service = MA degree). I've found a school that participates in this program that I really like, but the degree isn't MA of TESOL, but rather MA of Linguistics with a TESOL option. The core classes are the same, but the main difference is that the TESOL option requires you to take specific TESOL related classes instead of being able to choose your electives (like for a regular MA in Linguistics).


The name of the degree won't matter so much, at least in places I've worked (Japan and the US). I think most places will care more about the content than the name. That said, the Peace Corps Masters International sounds like an interesting program.

Quote:
I think this option would be more beneficial when applying to schools for my Ph.D. since it's technically a degree in linguistics, but I don't want it to diminish my options for teaching in a SE Asian university, or in the ME, or wherever I end up over the next decade or so.

I would agree that if you are interested in theoretical linguistics, then you'd need to get the MA linguistics rather than MA TESOL. Most MA TESOL programs include very little formal linguistics, which would make it much more difficult to get into a straight linguistics PhD program (i.e., NOT applied linguistics -- the MA TESOL would be fine for that).
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:23 am    Post subject: Re: MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"? Reply with quote
nomad soul wrote:
racethesun wrote:
...if I were to decide to pursue this program and receive an MA in linguistics with a TESOL specialization basically, do you think this would be accepted (or viewed as equivalent) by jobs abroad (in the ME for example) that often require an MA in TESOL?

It's irrelevant. If you look at the job postings for the Middle East (Gulf region), they generally state that an MA in TESOL, linguistics, English, or a closely-related field is required. You'd be hard pressed to find a university employer that specifies an MA in TESOL as the only acceptable degree. Case in point, I have an MA in Teaching (MAT) with a TEFL emphasis and I teach in a university in the Gulf.


I am considering this MA as well (MA in Teaching and Learning, TESL). It also comes with public school certification. Nomad soul, was it well worth it or would you have gone for another MA? I think it looks great but it is very new here (McGill University).
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:18 pm    Post subject: Re: MA Linguistics "with TESOL option"? Reply with quote
santi84 wrote:
I am considering this MA as well (MA in Teaching and Learning, TESL). It also comes with public school certification. Nomad soul, was it well worth it or would you have gone for another MA? I think it looks great but it is very new here (McGill University).

My degree was the best choice for my needs and interests---no regrets. As I mentioned in other threads, I spent a lot of time going through job postings in my target region and used the employers' desirable/preferred requirements to determine which courses my degree program should include. It was a smart strategy.
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you! It is in high demand here in Canada but I want to keep my options open overseas, particularly the ME for when husband takes his retirement Very Happy
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