Job Discussion Forums

[big_bird]

I'm currently doing an MA in TESOL. It overlaps heavily with the MA in Applied Linguistics, and I could easily swap if I wished.

Lately, I'm wondering if I've made the right choice - perhaps I should have opted for Applied Linguistics. I spoke with another student who takes some courses with me, and she said that although she was an ESL professional, and intended to continue in that vocation, she thought that the TESOL in the degree name was a minus not a plus - and decided to go for Applied Linguistics instead.

I wondered others thought - hence this poll. If you have an opinion, one way or the other, I'd appreciate knowing why you feel that way.

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

Your poll needs a third choice.

I don't think it makes any difference. If you research a few dozen of each name, I think that you will find that they are often exactly the same thing. Depends on the institution... what one calls a ESL/EFL degree, the next one calls an Applied Linguistics degree, but one can detect few differences in their actual courses. Your paycheck will be the same...

Overseas I can't see it making any difference. Perhaps in your home country there may be some perceived difference to some employers - few of them that there are. You should ask your friend why she thinks so... perhaps it is going on to a PhD? They are both pretty useless if you want to make a living in the US, I'd say.

VS

[Bindair Dundat]

[moot point]

They are one and the same as far as I can tell. It is just a matter of opinion by the course director on how to name it. With me, it was called a Master of Arts "in English Teaching" because the course director, Pincas, in corroboration with the fellow lecturers like Willowson, Peter Hill, and Jack Richards, thought to broaden the spectrum instead of the more limiting titles of TESL and Applied Linguisitcs.

The reasoning here is that by using either of the titles you propose, you omit several other streams of English teaching. What about teaching english as a foreign language (TEFL), for example? Or teaching English to returnee students? Or teaching English for specific purposes (TESP)? Or for academic purposes (TEAL)? The list goes on.

[big_bird]

[younggeorge]

I think you'll find that, in the Gulf at least, employers will take either as the basic requirement for looking further at your CV. If you're looking for a job as an English teacher, it really makes no difference.

The only time it might become an issue is if you decide you want to teach linguistics, rather than English. Even then, I think the employer would probably go beyond the degree title and look at what you've actually done.

[womblingfree]

I did an MA in ELT & Applied Linguistics, problem solved!