Job Discussion Forums

zbethz · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 5

I have read some posts about whether or not it will help significantly to get your ESL Masters in order to get the better jobs in the United States. I am planning to go to SIT in Vermont next fall and have heard some mixed opinions about whether it's worth the cost. I realize it is expensive for a one year program, but don't I need it in order to be considered for most teaching positions at universities? I only have about two years teaching experience under my belt and feel I need to get my Masters to get ahead. Any additional advice other than what has already been posted? Any graduates of SIT out there who can shed some light?
Thanks so much!

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I know that SIT is well-respected... but one of my co-workers attended SIT and he has made some very negative comments about them.

If you want more details, please PM me.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

SIT does have an excellent reputation, but when you are looking for a job, I don't think it makes a big difference where it is from, as long as it is recognized. I have looked into SIT but I couldn't justify the enormous cost when it can be done so much cheaper anywhere else. They may possibly be the most expensive TESOL masters in the world.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The SIT at Brattleboro has an excellent reputation amongst those that know about it, but there are many that have never heard of it.

If you just want the letters after your name it's not worth it. If you want to learn, then that's a different matter.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I'm all for paying money to learn, but SIT costs an awful lot of money for a degree in a field that doesn't pay that well.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

my wife used to be at SIT but never finished.　She thought the program was too practical. She thought a M.A. program should be balanced with theory and practice.
She thought the students were serious about learning. Lots went out to the TESOL conference, for example.
It is expensive and goes fast, I think classes last 8 months then the students have to leave to do the practicum, which tends to be overseas.
The school is small and the dorm is near the classrooms, I think in the same building.

The town is small and isolated and winters are cold.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

I don't know anything specifically about the SIT school, but I do know that having a master's degree is an almost absolute essential for teaching ESL in America at the University level.

Case in point:

My housemate - MA Applied Ling. 1 year in Korea. 1 year in Spain. Resulting work: part time community college job when his feet hit the earth.

My Teacher Trainer - BA French. 15 years teaching experience. At least 5 years teacher training experience. Managerial experience. Wrote two EFL books. Resulting work: Managing an IH branch -- was told point blank by the same community college that they couldn't hire him without "an" MA.

Tamara · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 108

I know OP asked for graduates of the program to offer opinions, and as I do not qualify, please feel free to disregard my opinion. Smile

I looked into SIT, including a site visit. I was able to talk with an admissions counselor, financial aid counselor, students, and professors. I attended a class and ate in the cafeteria. I really liked the program. I felt it would have definitely met my expectations. I liked the sense of cooperative learning and hands on teaching practice. The class I attended was extremely interactive. I happen to love VT, as my father was born and raised there, and on his side my lineage goes back to the earliest Europeans. I also think Brattleboro is one of the nicest little towns I've ever visited. Basically, I was enamored with the whole idea.

However, it was extremely expensive, topping $30K for the Summer MAT program. Also, in order to do the program, I'd have had to leave my husband and daughter for two eight-week summer sessions. Still, I was in the process of applying when I found a similar program just 35 minutes away from my front door. This program (to which I've been accepted and will begin in January) will cost roughly half the tuition of SIT. And during the two summer sessions, I still sleep in my own bed next to my favorite people in the world. However, I'm not aware of any international reputation for the program I'll attend, and SIT does have a large representative of graduates in the field, spanning thirty years of the program's existence.

I'd recommend it, but I didn't choose it for myself, after all.