Job Discussion Forums

[Jetgirly]

I totally don't understand MA TESOL programs.

I always thought an MA program was where you went back to university, took graduate-level courses in the subject, and did a major research paper or thesis. Normal time frame: one to two years.

Apparently I'm quite mistaken, particularly in relation to MA TESOL programs. So what I'd like to know is:

- Normal admission requirements (would a BA English + CELTA + some experience be sufficient?)
- Difference between MA TESOL and MA Applied Linguistics?
- Different structures for the course? Practical vs. theoretical?
- Can you really do one in like, eight weeks? Or through distance education? If so, could someone show me a link to a program like this where the link contains most of the pertinent information?

THANK YOU.

[Tamara]

http://www.sit.edu/graduate/smat/index.html

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

It's confusing because this is an international board.

There aren't many MA TESOLs in Canada. (and as you know each province has its own education system so the minimum certificate to teach in a private language school in BC is not necessarily the same as the minimum certificate to teach in a private language school in Ontario) Most of the time in Canada it's an MA in (Applied) Linguistics and TEFL or TESL is just the type (like if you major in English Literature and then do an MA and have to decide whether you are going to concentrate on literary theory, or a specific period in time or creative writing or sometimes even Teaching English as a Second Language). You can do an MA in Linguistics and not have it related to TESL, if you're doing theororetical linguistics- studying historical linguistics etc.

But MA TESOL programmes are very common in the States. And you often don't need to have a background in linguistics in order to get in. In Ontario, you need to do a one-year certificate in TESL and then the MA. It's a slightly different system, but it all works out in the end (assuming that you get the certificate and then are accepted into an MA).

If you are thinking about getting an MA or a university certificate first decide if you want to do it in Canada or the States, and then just start researching the local universities and ones outside of your province. Each one may have different requirements. Often, in Canada, a CELTA isn't worth much when it comes to getting into a university, you can get into a certificate programme without it and you won't get any advanced standing from having it (again, individual universities may vary). Don't rely totally on this site. And decide what you want to be able to do after you finish your course. If you want to teach at a college or university, then you will need to do an MA on site and probably in Canada. It will take a few years. You need to first do a certificate course (two semesters) and then an MA (normally three semesters). Since you already have some experience, you may be able to get into the MA directly from the certificate (which also will include practicum classes), but normally you need to do at a couple of years of teaching between certificate and masters. But all that is in Ontario, it may be different in other provinces, but then it may not.

The structures of the courses depend on the university and the goals of its programme.

[mrtanzey]

Check out the TESOL Graduate program at www.salisbury.edu. I think requirements vary among colleges but in the USA all accredited schools are going to require GRE scores, 3.0 undergrad GPA or higher, probably essays, some teaching experience perhaps and good references. My program is all evening classes or online and requires that a student have 6 undegrad hours in a foreign language. I have to complete 60 credit hours and will finish with a MA in TESOL and a State of Maryland teaching certificate for k-12 ESL Education that can be used for Special Education or English depending on school district classifications. I would watch out for programs that focus only on research and a thesis. If you want to teach then by all means find a program that emphasizes hands on practical teaching experience. My program requires a full semester or 9 hrs of student teaching in the local public schools... this is where I am finding it difficult to complete when you have a full time 9-5 job...

Good luck!

[Ludwig]

[matthews_world]

[matthews_world]

Here's a U.S. school I'm considering: Southwest Missouri State University

Requirements:

1. A bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Southwest Missouri State University; AND a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, OR at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work; OR have a score of 475 or higher on either the verbal or quantitative section of the Graduate Record Examination, AND a score of not less than 400 on the other section; OR

2. A bachelor's degree from a college or university NOT accredited by an agency recognized by Southwest Missouri State University, a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, OR at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work; AND a Graduate Record Examination score of 475 or above on either the verbal or quantitative section, AND a score of not less than 400 on the other section; OR

3. recommendation in writing by both the department head of the student's desired major area and the dean of the college in which that discipline is located, and have the approval of the Dean of the Graduate College.

[Hondo 2.0]

At Brock University, there is a M.Ed. TESOL program which only requires a four-year degree and a year of teaching experience. I friend of mine is doing her M.Ed. there, but in a different stream, curriculum studies.

[Jetgirly]

I guess I just got confused because of the structure of the program the university where I am completing my BA in English. They consider their BA in Applied Linguistics to be preparation for a career teaching ESL, however it is all theory and no practice. For the practical element you have to upgrade to a Teaching Certificate then a B.Ed. Their MA program (for which the website just went online today) is an MA in Applied Linguistics where the only concentration is... ADVANCED GRAMMAR STUDIES! That is my worst nightmare! Spending two years studying grammar at a graduate level! Examples of recent theses and dissertations:

Tense Usage in Academic Writing: A Cross-Disciplinary Study.

Using Pauses to Improve Listening Comprehension in Second Language Learners.

The Typology of Wh-Questions: An Optimality Theoretic Approach.

Telling the Truth: A Linguistic Analysis of Narrative Construction in the Cross-Examination of Canadian Aboriginal Witnesses.

An Acoustic Study of the Effects of Sentential Focus on Cantonese Tones.

______________

I just want to learn to teach ESL!

[Hondo 2.0]

York University has a M.A. in applied linguistics. It's only one year, and the focus is actually teaching. They also off a M.A. in linguistics, which is what they recommend for people who plan to do a Ph.D. I think that degree takes two years.

[Ki]

There are a number of universities in Australia which offer online MAs in Applied Linguistics. University of New England (www.une.edu.au) has one over one year. The prerequisits are minimal and you can do it anywhere in the world. I think they advertise on Dave's as well.
Ki.