Job Discussion Forums

[kait]

Greetings!

I received my B.A. in TESOL in 1994. I used it (to the degree one can use it and still be doing things "Japanese way") for a year in the JET Program, but I've not used it since. I've taught life skills at an acute care psychiatric hospital, and although it hasn't always been easy to understand what some of the patients have been talking about, I don't think it counts as ESL experience. My question is this. Should I go through the trouble of getting an additional CELTA/Trinity certificate, or will my experience and education from the mid-90's be adequate for finding work in most countries? I'm also wondering how many more opportunities would be available with a Master's degree.

My second question is concerning money. I hate that money is an issue, but at this point it is. I have US sized debts, and so I need to look at countries that will pay enough to make a dent in my debt. I suppose that Taiwan and Japan are 2 options. What are others?

Oh, and, it's nice to meet all of you.

[shmooj]

You know you might want to consider that a degree is actually about learning something as opposed to a ticket to a job. I use my BA all the time in my teaching and I studied Architecture. In fact, I might well use the skills I picked up through the BA more than those I picked up through the MA in TESOL. Go figure.

[PAULH]

[Brooks]

well, I disagree. Where I work, a M.A. degree is required for full-time work. I teach at a private high school in Tokyo. Don`t overlook high schools in Japan.

A man I used to study with got a MA in TESOL and got a good job at a college in Tainan, Taiwan. In Taiwan, as far as I know places of higher education wanted people with MA degrees, and a MA in TESOL set him apart.

[Gordon]