Job Discussion Forums

[tedinminn]

Hi all,
I'm currently a junior in college in the US, and have been trying to decide what to do after I graduate next year.

I have been considering going into teaching in US high schools. I also would like to try teaching abroad. Because I will need a master's degree to teach high school anyhow, I was thinking of getting a MA-TESOL. It will be like killing 2 birds with one stone--allows me to teach in the US and abroad at the same time..

OTOH, it sounds like getting a CELTA would also qualify me for many overseas teaching jobs. Perhaps I should try getting a CELTA and going to teach abroad, then getting a masters later..

The thing is--it seems to me that I will want a masters degree no matter what I do. I mean I won't go too far in teaching abroad if I don't have a masters right? And of course I would need one if I wanted to teach in the US.

What do you guys think? Have any of you guys gotten a CELTA, then returned to school for a MA-TESOL?

-ted

[Gordon]

Where did you hear that you need a masters degree to teach in US high schools? That is simply not true. A masters degree is not a prerequisite to teach in high schools anywhere in the world. You might be thinking of a bachelor of education or equivalency like a PGCE.

My advice (as someone who has been around awhile) is to get a CELTA (after university) teach somewhere overseas and see how you like it. Then go back and get your masters degree or do the masters by distance (as I am doing it now). IMO you will get more out of your masters once you have been teaching a few years and you will have a much better idea if you like this profession.

However, if teaching in US highs schools is your ambition, then a masters degree will not do you any good unless you have a B Ed degree to go with it.


Oh... and welcome to Dave's

[mlomker]

Gordon is correct from what I understand. There are a number of licensure courses that are covered in the B.Ed. that are what allows you to teach at the High School level. If you did your BS in something else (perhaps a hard science?) then you'll have to do a M.Ed. in order to become licensed. The licensure Master's programs are not the same as the MA TESOL programs, though...they are too focused to allow much by way of electives.

I'm not sure where in MN you live, but there are a lot of teacher's schools here. I found a TESOL certificate at Hamline that offers graduate credit (a rarity): http://www.hamline.edu/tefl/index.html

[tedinminn]

Thanks for your reply.

I should have been more clear. I am getting my BA in Geography, not Education. My understanding is that if you have a BA, a Masters, and get licensed by whatever state, then you don't actually need any degrees in education to teach high school in the US--the subjects you studied are irrelevant. Am I wrong?

-ted


<<However, if teaching in US highs schools is your ambition, then a masters degree will not do you any good unless you have a B Ed degree to go with it.


Oh... and welcome to Dave's>>

[mlomker]

[denise]

An MA in TESOL probably won't help in the US without a specific subject credential. I am looking into the requirements myself at the moment, because I also plan on teaching in the States in a few years.

With a BA in geography, I believe you could teach geography once you got the appropriate credential. You don't need an MA, but many teachers seem to have/be getting them now.

An MATESOL will help you with community college jobs and private language schools in the US, but the better jobs--those with full-time contracts and salaries (as opposed to part-time hourly rates), vacation days, health insurance, etc.--are highly competitive.

As far as what to do after graduation, I agree with Gordon--get a CELTA, go teach somewhere and see if you like it, and then return for an MA. If it turns out you don't like teaching English, get your MA/credential in a different subject (geography?) to teach in high school.

d

[carnac]

My opinion - and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong - In the US, one is required to have certification in the subject area to be taught, regardless of degree. A PhD with no certification can teach at a university or private school but not at the primary of high school levels. At least in NYS, without certification, forget it.
A BA or Masters in Geography teaching EFL?
Two points:
A minimal Celta is a necessity since there are no evident qualifications shown here for English teaching, especially abroad. Being a native speaker is not pro forma evidence of being able to teach it.
Second: Have a brother with a BA in Geography. Never found a job in geography. Runs a large town activity program for old people instead. He did geography because he was more interested in sports. If you want to get an MA in Geography, do it now, first, while your brain is still in a "learning" mode. Then maybe you can get a job teaching geography. Then get the Celta and have an adventure.
Or, take the plunge and go for a MA TESOL and get real jobs. Contrary to other posters opinions, you can do just fine with due diligence.