Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

For anyone who has done this program - or knows a fair bit about it - I am wondering how you felt this has contributed to your teaching ability.

I have a significant amount of teaching experience under my belt, and have just finished my MA TESOL. I feel as though my teaching skills are quite decent, but that there is always room for improvement. My MA TESOL itself was largely theoretical though, and I feel as though I have gained more in terms of practical experience through my years of teaching in different contexts. I am wondering as to whether or not the cost would be worth it to pursue a DELTA?

I would have NEVER considered this before - knowing that I would be an MA TESOL grad. However, I took a short cut to my MA (having no BA) and I would like to gain whatever advantage I can should there be bias towards this. In one case, my unusual path cost me a uni job in Tokyo - I did make a tactical error though, in that my lack of BA was brought to their attention during the interview....I likely should have gone into greater detail as to how I got into the program - or explained this before via email.

In any case, I would not go through the cost and bother if I didn't feel I would gain a significant amount of practical knowledge.

Any input would be great.

[nomad soul]

[Sudz]

It was only brought up during the interview when they inquired about my undergrad.

In order to keep me active in their system post-rejection, one of the interviewers requested that I go into detail as to how exactly I got into the program without a BA, as they had never encountered this situation - and that this greatly influenced the decision of his colleagues. The thing was that I actually did explain in fair detail during the interview - though I think they might have mentally shut down based on whatever personal bias they might have after discovering the 'missing' BA.

I agree that the mentioning it in the cover letter is likely the way to go. I think this bad experience lead me to go into a lot of detail with subsequent employers.

Live and learn.

[suphanburi]

I think that, in the Asian context, the issue over the lack of the BA is more about regulation than employer closed mindedness.

In many cases the visa requirement is the Bachelor degree and by not having one there is no work around.

The MA is not a substitute for the BA even if you were granted dispensation by the graduate school that took your money.

The DELTA won't make up for that issue at immigration come visa application time.

DELTA for personal growth... yea, OK but it is only like doing 2 or 3 more classes at the graduate level.
DELTA for employment purposes... largely a waste of time and money for someone with a legitimate MA TESOL.

If you want your problems to go away, invest a year or two and get your PGCE or BA.

.

[HLJHLJ]

You will get as much out of the DELTA as you put in, but I think most people could find some useful CPD in it, no matter how much experience they have. However, in terms of employment, its main value is if you are looking to work for the British Council, and it's not going to help paper over the lack of a BA, especially when it comes to visas.

[Sudz]

Thanks guys,

Regarding BAs and visas: this is an issue depending on the country. In Japan, the visa isn't an issue for me - actually, I was able to get a work visa based on having 3 years of full-time, verifiable experience. Now that I have my MA, the renewal is even easier. From what I've heard - and I have researched this a lot - I would likely have an issue in both Thailand and Korea. Besides that (and whatever countries might be added to that list) it would be up to an employer's own bias, and perhaps their own concerns towards the visa process.

I think I'll skip the DELTA. The PGCE is an interesting idea - again though, would that even bypass any potential visa issues though I wonder...

[nomad soul]

Do you have any undergrad credits? If so, why not look into applying those credits toward a BA? Or maybe check out accelerated, accredited BA programs and/or those that allow some credit for experience?

[Sudz]

I did do some distance credits ages ago. It was time-consuming, slow-going and expensive, so I stopped. Not totally looking past a BA in the future, but for now I'll likely try and make the most of what I have.

I did bring up my situation to a private high school in Tokyo - pre interview via email - and they mentioned that the lack of BA isn't an issue (this is according to the vice principal). They seemed to appreciate the transparency - still waiting on the results.