Job Discussion Forums

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

What do you think are the top ten most common first degrees held by TEFLers in your neck of the woods?

Mine in no particular order:

Art History
Philosophy
Sociology
Modern languages
History
Fake degree
Media Studies
Linguistics
Politics
The TEFLer won't tell you or is very vague or does not like to talk about his or her past.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Where do you get first degrees in Linguistics? Very few and far between.

The most common among applicants seem to be History, Geography, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, and Fine Arts. Amongst those applicants that got on to the shortlist English or Foreign Languages.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Whose shortlist, yours? Surely your place cannot afford to be chosey.

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

Hmm... let's see. I don't know about most common, but here people have these degrees....
- Psychology (MA) - Economics - Marketing - Art History - Computer Science - History (MA) - American History (MA) - Environmental Studies -
Social Sciences
and a couple of others I don't know. Oh yes, and one person with an MA in TESOL!

cam · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 124 Location: Maine, USA

In over 10 years of ESL most of the people I have worked with had degrees in History, Geography, Politics, Sociology, International Studies, or Fine Arts. With these degrees people are limited and lack the skills required to get a job in their native country so many are forced to teach ESL overseas.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

I would say top 5 here are.....English Lit, History, Modern Languages, Business Studies, Geography etc.....-on the other have met a few teflers with degrees in town planning, food science and even botany Confused

zewd · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 42 Location: Lynchburg, VA, USA

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

If you are interested in foreign countries or cultures why would you choose to do a degree in:

Art history
Philosophy
Sociology
Modern languages
History
Fake degree
Media Studies
Linguistics
Politics

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Be fair. In Stephan's day it was called philology.

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

Which one is Fake degree Thrifty? Very Happy

Basket weaving or the like?

I once met a guy with a degree in Archeology, but he refused to go on and do his masters and than complained that the only job he could get was as a manager at Blockbuster or an ESL teacher. My answer was always, well duh! What did you expect to do with a BSc in Archeology if you weren't willing to do the work?

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

Many of the older teflers I have come across have degrees in / of angst, disgruntlement, chagrin with a minor in disappointment, pettiness, greed, alcoholism and xenophobia ( distance ed. )

Unfortunately, these are qualifications which don't often lead to careers at home. The accreditation is universal however and opportunities for post graduate work are common.

Otherwise it's all humanities, I'd say English, Sociology and Geography are the top three.

omanized

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Don't forget minors in vindictiveness, not washing, bad dress sense and penny pinching.

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley