| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
desertstorm
Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 16
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:55 pm Post subject: If you had the opportunity to... |
 |
|
A question comes to mind. If you had the opportunity to study for a PhD, what research areas within ESL/education would interest you and why?
Secondly, is it better to gain some work experience after you have gained your MA and then decide on a possible PhD - or just continue your studies and "get it over with"? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It comes down to personal choice. I cannot see that getting a doctorate will open many doors. Are you hoping to work in the USA or UK ? In the "frontline" of the ESOL classroom there would be little benefit in having a PhD. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| diagnostic testing is in heavy demand and people that go into that generally make a lot of money. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
desertstorm
Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you Scot47 for the reply. I am currently in the UK, but would like to work in Saudi. I am thinking along the lines of that with a PhD I would be able to attract better jobs/pay. That is why I would like to focus and specialise in a well sought after domain - hence asking the more experienced members what they feel/think the main intriguing research areas are.
Secondly I have a 1 year old son and don't really want to take him abroad at such a tender age. So now feels like the right time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gamajorba
Joined: 03 May 2015
Posts: 357
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| desertstorm wrote: |
| ... but would like to work in Saudi. |
Do think carefully about such statements...!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
desertstorm
Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you Plumpy nut.
'Diagnostic testing' - apologies for my ignorance but can you elaborate? Thank you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 9:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| desertstorm wrote: |
| /I am thinking along the lines of that with a PhD I would be able to attract better jobs/pay. |
It depends. Are you male or female? What are your current academic qualifications? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
desertstorm
Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Nomad soul. I am a male having recently completed an MA in TESOL - with limited teaching experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'd say that you would do better for your employment opportunities to get some solid, full-time, related teaching experience - a few years worth. A PhD in TEFLTESL... especially for the Gulf... is pretty much a waste of time and money.
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 3:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| A PhD in TEFLTESL... especially for the Gulf... is pretty much a waste of time and money. |
I agree with this to a certain extent. But even if it were to land you a job here, the important thing is that it would almost certainly land you a position that was entirely for show and any attempt at all to actually apply what you had learned would end in complete frustration. I see this every week in my office with two PhD holders in particular.
The dedication and desire that lead to a successful PhD are the exact strengths that will become your greatest weaknesses in Saudi. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 3:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| desertstorm wrote: |
| I am a male having recently completed an MA in TESOL - with limited teaching experience. |
I'd say that you would do better for your employment opportunities to get some solid, full-time, related teaching experience - a few years worth. A PhD in TEFLTESL... especially for the Gulf... is pretty much a waste of time and money. |
I'm with VS. A PhD in TESOL is overkill --- your newly-minted MA in TESOL easily meets the education requirement. However, you need to focus on gaining several years of solid, relevant experience (i.e., teaching adults in a university PY program) if you expect to land a position with good family benefits.
If you're still gung ho on completing a PhD (preferably after you've taught a few years), get one in something like Instructional Design and Technology. It would complement your MA and make you very attractive to employers in the region. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:00 am Post subject: Re: If you had the opportunity to... |
|
|
| desertstorm wrote: |
| A question comes to mind. If you had the opportunity to study for a PhD, what research areas within ESL/education would interest you and why? |
I'd probably skip ESL proper and do a program that would allow me to focus on big picture questions like, say, recruitment and retention of refugees (typically first generation college students) at community colleges or something like that.
| desertstorm wrote: |
| Secondly, is it better to gain some work experience after you have gained your MA and then decide on a possible PhD - or just continue your studies and "get it over with"? |
The best option is to simply not go.
Graduate School in the Humanities: Just Don't Go
By Thomas H. Benton
http://chronicle.com/article/Graduate-School-in-the/44846
If you do go, have a solid plan for success before you even start applying.
Graduate School Is a Means to a Job
By Karen Kelsky
http://chronicle.com/article/Graduate-School-Is-a-Means-to/131316/
And have a solid Plan B (and C) when things likely don't work out anyway.
The Adjunct Crisis and the Free Market
By Rebecca Schuman
http://chronicle.com/blogs/conversation/2013/09/25/the-adjunct-crisis-and-the-free-market/
Keep in mind that landing a full-time, permanent teaching position (e.g., tenure-track) with PhD, for the few who are lucky enough to do so, is about as likely as winning the lottery.
Academic Bait-and-Switch, Part 13
By Henry Adams
http://chronicle.com/article/Academic-Bait-and-Switch-Part/126914/
My Advice: If you're not ready to go overseas, skip the PhD and work on getting as much teaching experience as you can between now and when you're ready to go. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Many employers will prefer an MA to a PhD. Having a PhD will NOT make you more employable or command a higher salary.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gamajorba
Joined: 03 May 2015
Posts: 357
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sicklyman wrote: |
| But even if it were to land you a job here, the important thing is that it would almost certainly land you a position that was entirely for show and any attempt at all to actually apply what you had learned would end in complete frustration. |
Completely true. For any relevant qualification in fact, let alone a PhD. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
desertstorm
Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you all for contributing in this discussion and making it clear how much a phd is worth in the Middle East- much appreciated!
Ideally I would prefer to work in the UK for the next few years, gain some experience and then apply abroad. The UK market for newbies is so sh*te that this plan won't materialise. However the offers I am getting from Saudi are low (yes I know - i am greener than green!). They make it difficult to support a family... So some serious thinking time me thinks approaches! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
