| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Felix
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 34
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 12:03 am Post subject: The best MA program for ESL |
 |
|
This September I'm going into my third year teaching English. I've taught adults (business and general), kids (ages 4-5 and 8-12)...
Eventually I think getting an MA is good idea. So, where's the best place to do it? Distance or on-campus - what do employers think about distance (is it less highly regarded?
Is Britain the best place for doing in on-campus?
Anyway, specifics are welcomed. Thanks in advance! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 5:52 am Post subject: Re: The best MA program for ESL |
|
|
| Felix wrote: |
This September I'm going into my third year teaching English. I've taught adults (business and general), kids (ages 4-5 and 8-12)...
Eventually I think getting an MA is good idea. So, where's the best place to do it? Distance or on-campus - what do employers think about distance (is it less highly regarded?
Is Britain the best place for doing in on-campus?
|
Regarding Distance Learning MAs in TESOL/Applied Linguistics;
Well, I couldn't find one out of Canada.
USA has a few.
Ausrailia has some (one is a PhD!) but many are geared for being an EFL teacher in Japan only.
Britian had a pretty good choice, I thought. BUT living costs (residence fees, etc) made me cry  . I mean Distance Learning ones here.
Distance Learning would take longer and be a bit cheaper in that a) you don't have to pay room and board and b) you don't have to stop working.
I've heard that some employers are skittish about DL degrees, but then again there have been a couple of sucess stories on the Japan forum.
The "best" one I found was the program from the University of Burmingham.
The one I'm doing (okay about to start in a few weeks) is from the University of Surrey (It's cheaper, and besides I can't afford trips to South Korea every year for Burmingham's conferneces.)
Tons of places have on-campus degrees offered. But as I didn't go this way, I know less about them. As a Canaidan citizen, it probably would be cheapest to do it at home because then I wouldn't have to pay foreign students' rates (I think.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isabel
Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 510
Location: God's green earth
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Could you provide a link to the University of Burmingham? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sherri
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's actually the University of Birmingham. I am halfway through the course and am very satisfied with it.
http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dduck
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 422
Location: In the middle
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sherri wrote: |
It's actually the University of Birmingham. I am halfway through the course and am very satisfied with it.
http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/ |
But they pronounce it Burmingham, right? 
Iain |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Minhang Oz
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 610
Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Macquarie University, Sydney [they pronounce it "Sid-knee" Iain  ] runs a good distance program. Check it out on www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pghome.htm and follow the links. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isabel
Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 510
Location: God's green earth
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
(It's cheaper, and besides I can't afford trips to South Korea every year for Burmingham's conferneces.)
Wolf- what do you mean about the Birmingham conferences in South Korea.
I am looking for an M.A. program, and I am in South Korea, so conferences would not be a problem. I am trying to do my preliminary research here, until I narrow the field a bit.
Hey DDuck- you looking too? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dduck
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 422
Location: In the middle
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 4:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| isabel wrote: |
| Hey DDuck- you looking too? |
To use my best American English: I still have a ways to go before I'll be able to enroll, i.e. not enough experience yet. But yeah, I'm on the look out for a good MA. I also considering doing a full-time MA as opposed to the distance learning course. So I'd be prepared to move continent to study at a good University (and soak up the culture). My selection criteria include: a University with a good reputation, plus somewhere inexpensive to live, and as a bonus somewhere new to explore. 
Iain |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 5:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The University of Leicester (note this is pronounced as in "Lester Young") has a Distrance MA which is okay. Nice point is that you can take the first step, and then stop off. they give you a Certificate for that. Or you can continue doing their "modules" until you get the MA.
I think employers are more reaady to accept distance learning now. Some may still have a prejudice against them.
Oh yes, for the geographically-challenged, Leiocester is in England which is part of the UK. This is not yet one of the States of the USA but Tony Blair has plans.
Last edited by scot47 on Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stevey
Joined: 09 Apr 2003
Posts: 142
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
just wonderinf, and going straight off topic here, ive known some americans to pronounce Leicester - LAI-CHESTER. .
just wondering are there any american towns that we brits get wrong? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Corey
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 112
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| scot47 wrote: |
| Oh yes, for the geographically-challenged, Leiocester is in England which is part of the UK. This is not yet one of the States of the USA but Tony Blair has plans. |
Nice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 4:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here are some that I'm considering, they are in OZ and NZ.
Charles Sturt U
U of New England
U of Queensland
U of Southern Queensland
U of Auckland
Christchurch College of Ed
All are Distance Learning Masters in Ed or TEFL. You usually need a PGD and two years of teaching experience. Or and undergrad in Education. Though, some of them will make exceptions, Christchurch College of Ed will not, they are very stict on the entry requirements. Whereas others take life experience and such into account. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MindTraveller
Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Location: Oman
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 7:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| In general, I think the UK offers ONE YEAR Master programs, whereas in the USA they want more of your time and money. Most seem toonly offer two year programs. I may be wrong.... You'd have to do more research. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Lots of the OZ/NZ unis have one year, full-time programmes as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dduck
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 422
Location: In the middle
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sunaru wrote: |
I don't know about the rest of you but I for one am personally impressed with DDuck's superhuman ability...
Now this begs the question- How?
Will he use telekinteic prowess?
British annexation techniques?
Or good ol' American Atomic-Know-How?
Do tell Daffy, do tell.
 |
I refer you to my sidebar
Iain |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
