Job Discussion Forums

[Shroob]

Hi all,

A recent thread has made me think about what direction I would like my future to take. I'd very much appreciate your insight, as people who have been in this game a lot longer than I have.

A little background about myself:
25 (M)
CELTA
2 years in China (university)
Part-time EAP in the U.K.

I'm just finishing my MA AL/TESOL course (expected distinction) and have accepted another job in China for a year. However after that I'm not sure. Which is where I'd like your insight.

Option 1 is a PhD - I've a potential supervisor lined up and there's a chance of it being fully funded (it would have to be for me to do it).

Option 2 is to develop more in the classroom - so a DELTA.

Obviously, both options have their pros and cons. It helps me if I type them out so here goes.

Option 1
+ A route into academic teaching in the future
+ Get a PhD 'out of the way' - once it's done it's done.
+ Opens more doors into different ventures

- 3 years of hard work
- Being out of the classroom for 3 years.
- A sense of 'running before you can walk', after all, I've only 2 years full time experience.

Option 2
+ Get to stay in the classroom
+ Build more teaching experience
+ More practical and 'employable'
+ Quicker

- Not as 'prestigious' as a PhD
- No funding options

This may be a moot point as my grades haven't been released and no funding has been secured. But it has me thinking.

My main worry is that if I do the PhD, I'd be out of the classroom for 3 years and I'd like to go back to the classroom. I do enjoy teaching. Coupled with the fact that there are so many anecdotes out there of PhDs not being worth it.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Mandrews1985]

Hey Shroob, I willl suggest a third option:

Consider teaching another age group and gain more experience first.

I say this because, I suspect, your university experience in China is oral English only. Of course, if I am wrong please correct me though most entry positions here are and I'm in one too.

Teaching oral English here is great but I've never really had to test myself. No discipline problems and kids hang on my every word. It's been the most pleasant experience in my short teaching career.

However, my teaching abilities developed the most when I was in a middle school in Korea. My classroom management and motivational strategies improved (had to!) very quickly.

What I would suggest to you is test yourself out somewhere else with another age group.

1. An ALT position in Japan.

2. EPIK in Korea.

3. A demanding academy (like Avalon -Korea) where you need to teach reading, writing, listening and speaking.

You have a great set of qualifications and age is firmly on your side so there is no need to just get your Phd 'out of the way'.

Good luck on whatever you decide!

[Shroob]

[nomad soul]

With just two years' experience under your belt, it's way too short a time to be thinking about getting a PhD. At age 25, you really need to put in 4-5 more years of progressively challenging teaching responsibilities to hone your skills and gain new ones through continuous professional development. Besides, it doesn't seem like you have specific career goals in mind in terms of what you expect to do with a PhD. (Getting it solely for prestige isn't the best idea.) In fact, what would your doctoral major and focus be in if you were to pursue a PhD?

[HLJHLJ]

A PhD is like nothing else you have ever, or will ever, study for. It is primarily an endurance test rather than an academic endeavor. You are also unlikely to finish in 3 years, as most people don't. In the last couple of years it consumes you, and you live it, breathe it and dream about it. Finding the motivation and energy to finish is hard, even when you were passionate about your topic to start with. I cannot imagine how hard it would be if you were even somewhat ambivalent about it. It's absolutely not something you should start solely to get it 'out of the way'.

[rtm]

[Shroob]

[Shroob]

[Mandrews1985]

To be honest, I haven't looked into the Phd route at all and you seem to have a goal and also an interest in reseach so that's very positive.

However, I would absolutely encourage more varied experience first. Get back into the classroom and do what you love doing for a few years. Learn some Japanese, if you haven't already, I hear that's pretty essential for a university position nowadays.

I would also recommend another country, again, nothing against China but ESL opens the door to many interesting countries and I think it would be a mistake not to take advantage of that while you're young and have no ties.

The previous posters focused, rightly so, on the struggles during the Phd while my thoughts are based around life and experience. Since graduating I've taught in Spain, South Korea and China each have brought about different challenges, different experiences and valuable knowledge.

Best of luck!

[nomad soul]

[Shroob]

[HLJHLJ]

[3701 W.119th]

25 years old! Fair play to you, man. I wish I had my head screwed on at that age.

I'm thinking about whether a Masters or Delta is the next step for me.

I'm 32.

I've wasted my life.

[Shroob]

[suphanburi]

If an old guy who has been down that path can chime in with his 2P worth of free advice.

Don't be in a rush to the Phd.

A properly qualified masters with experience will carry you further forward in classroom based EFL/ESL than a PhD would.
It wasn't that long ago that an MATESOL was the terminal degree in the field.
It will get you a lecturer position.

Tenure is not likely to happen as a foreign prof in many countries due to visa issues (unless you become a permanent resident with all of the attendant issues to become one).

As was mentioned in posts above, your PhD IS a research degree.
It is all about the research and dissertation.
It is NOT about any coursework and in many cases can be obtained with no coursework requirement (only the research, dissertation and publication).

If you don't have the research question burning in your head and the passion to write a book about it when you are done then take your masters and return to the work force else you end up with a PhD(ABD) or MPHILS after your name rather than Dr. NAME, PhD as your title.

Get some time and experience under your belt. Then, if you are still interested, the PhD will still be an option.

For the record:
I was 22 when I received my first undergraduate degree. I have 3.
I also have 3 masters and an ABD.
I was 55 when I was awarded my PhD (not related to the ABD) and it cost me nothing (in terms of tuition).

Lifelong learning is not just a buzz phrase and professional development takes place as much in the workplace as it does in academia as a student.

.