Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Would MFA in creative writing be useful as teaching qual?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Newbie Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
AwesomeOne



Joined: 03 Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Location: Utah

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:05 pm    Post subject: Would MFA in creative writing be useful as teaching qual? Reply with quote

Could it get me into a decent international school as as teacher?

Could it at least increase my salary if paired with a CELTA?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
currentaffairs



Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nowadays the better jobs want an MA in TESOL, Education or Applied Linguistics.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

International schools range in quality and type. You need to clarify what you mean as "decent" as well as where you want to teach and what you expect to teach (EFL or English language arts). Also, what teaching experience do you have and in what subject/area? What's your BA major? This info would be helpful in answering your question.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 4:49 am    Post subject: Re: Would MFA in creative writing be useful as teaching qual Reply with quote

AwesomeOne wrote:
Could it get me into a decent international school as as teacher?

Could it at least increase my salary if paired with a CELTA?


"Decent international schools" require, due to their accreditation, that you are a licensed teacher or at least hold a degree / post grad certification in education paired with your major. The CELTA (or any other TEFL course) doesn't cut it.

2nd or 3rd Tier international schools or just private bilingual schools in SE Asia may accept you as an EFL teacher or even an English subject teacher but your remuneration package would not likely be any better than the next bloke with a generic BA + CELTA.

.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
OhBudPowellWhereArtThou



Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Addressing the MA vs MFA: In English? The two would be interchangeable. The MFA would be writing-heavy (You would produce a creative thesis) with a mix of literature and possibly linguistics and/or a few art classes while the MA would most likely be literature-heavy. Some colleges and universities award MA's by thesis or test. The MA in English by test is not as valuable as an MA with thesis.

There is no such thing as a Master of Fine Arts in TESOL.

In the U.S., an MFA from a prestigious school is considered closely valued to a Ph.D because of the extra credit hours usually required and the creative thesis and subsequent publication.

I am assuming that those who have answered before I have are thinking about international primary and secondary schools. Those would most likely require home country certification and possibly TESOL in one's education mix.

On the university and college level, I am not aware that either TESOL or home country certification is required by all international schools. In this case, however, an MFA would trump usually an MA in English.

I am unaware of an official tier system for international schools. I'd be very interested in learning about it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"International School" is term specific to those K-12 schools that are "internationally accredited" or who offer a curriculum that is not covered by the national (state / provincial) curriculum of the country it is located in.

Top tier schools are those that are internationally accredited by organizations like CIE. CfBT, IBO, etc. Their standards are very high and the accreditation bodies have direct involvement in setting those standards and quality assurance. An education degree and/or teacher licensure is typically required. An MA in creative writing, unless coupled with a licensure or Grad Dip in Education won't be sufficient.

Second tier "international" schools are those that offer programs and curriculum from international organizations like IBO or CIE but are not actually accredited or overseen by those bodies. He may find work here IF and WHEN he actually has some experience in a K-12 environment.

Third tier "international" schools usually only have "International" in their name and not their curriculum or operational practices. They may offer their program in English but the administrative practices and curriculum are local/national rather than international. It should be no problem getting work in this type of school. Their minimum requirements are usually no different than those required to get a visa as an EFL teacher.

Universities have no "international" standard the way that K-12 schools do. They are ranked on a different set of criteria. The accreditation body, accreditation process and the standards will vary a lot (look at the US as an example: regional, national, "other" for accreditation at the tertiary level (if and when accredited at all)).

Most universities in non-anglophone countries that offer programs taught entirely in English may call themselves "International Programs" but they are not an "International School". The OP is unlikely to find a university in a non-anglophone country that would require an MFA (creative writing) lecturer for anything other than an EFL teacher (with a remuneration package to match that much lower standard).

He would likely have an easier time finding work as a copy editor at an English language newspaper in a non-anglophone country.

.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 4:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

suphanburi wrote:



Third tier "international" schools usually only have "International" in their name and not their curriculum or operational practices. They may offer their program in English but the administrative practices and curriculum are local/national rather than international. It should be no problem getting work in this type of school. Their minimum requirements are usually no different than those required to get a visa as an EFL teacher.


IME the miniumum requirement is either a k12 teaching qualification from the home country, or a masters degree (in anything, but preferably in TESOL)

Quote:

Most universities in non-anglophone countries that offer programs taught entirely in English may call themselves "International Programs" but they are not an "International School". The OP is unlikely to find a university in a non-anglophone country that would require an MFA (creative writing) lecturer for anything other than an EFL teacher (with a remuneration package to match that much lower standard).


"Require an MFA (creative writing)"? No I can't see that happening. But "accepting" a creative writing MFA for non-tenure track. Possible.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Newbie Forum All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China