Job Discussion Forums

[supertraveller]

So, just to give a bit of background information before my question, I am a Canadian with a CELTA and almost 4 years teaching experience. I have had to return home because I don't have a degree(actually half-done but don't want to continue in the program). If I am to continue teaching and make some money, I know I have to get one but does it matter in which field? For example will a General BA be useful or do I need a BA in English or ED? I am in a bit of a bind as I could just finish my studies asap and leave again or should I take some more time and study something I enjoy such as journalism or communications to give me more options with regards to travel? Thanks for any help. Take care.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

If you enjoy journalism or communications, and not linguistics (the most directly applicable program to teaching ESL/EFL) or English (imo not really related to teaching English, but empolyers who have no real idea of what you study for an English degree in Canada seem to like it) or something related to teaching English, then why don't you study journalism and become a journalist, instead of teaching English?

[isanity]

If you're serious about being a teacher, do Education. Get yourself into an international school and look down on the rest of us.

[Glenski]

[supertraveller]

Thanks for the help. What I mean about continuing to teach was that I have hit a roadblock in terms of what I can do to further my career without a university degree. I would like to work for VSO or even the BC someday and for them, it doesn't matter what you have the degree in. That is why I mentioned a General BA without a major as right now, that might be my easiest and quickest option or even a communications degree(although i don't know for sure I will like it) as that might open up the door in other areas. I guess what I am trying to get at is that it seems to me you don't need a BA in ED to teach overseas, just a BA. So, should I be broad or go the specific route and even try to get a BA in TESL? I know I am rambling on a bit, but thanks again for everything. It is greatly appreciated. Take care.

[rusmeister]

[saint57]

If you have an education degree and work at a crap school then it is completely worthless. However, I couldn't handle what I'm doing right now if I didn't get my B.Ed.

[tofit]

I agree with rusmiester.

There must be better ways of getting experience in front of a class, then going through a college course for a BA degree. According to some of these job placement websites you don't even need a degree to teach in china. I may spend my first month in china working as a volunteer with other english teachers, to gain a little experience and a few good job references.

I do not have a degree, but I will do whatever I can to get experience teaching a class my best known subject, english. This may not be my longterm career, but it will teach me important skills that I can carry on.
Skills like : Organization, planning, presenting materials, and leadership skills.

[kaw]

The main advice I can offer is to do your degree in something you are interested in and that could be of use once you decide you've had enough of teaching EFL - yes it does happen.
As far as employers go - most don't seem to mind what your first degree is in as often it is just a visa requirement. I've got a BSc in Business and have been teaching EFL in a variety of countries for 7 years now.
I think the choice of MA if you decide to go down that route is more important and employers will be looking for Linguistics/ELT.
Hope this helps.

[Jetgirly]

You won't be able to get a BEd in a Canadian university until you've already got a first degree (unless you do a five- or six-year combined program). I'm doing a BEd in Secondary Language Arts and I really like, it, the time is flying, and there are good job prospects at the end IF YOU WANT TO TEACH IN K-12 SCHOOLS. If you want to do something else like Journalism, PR or Communications then get a degree in that area; an Education degree won't do you much good in terms of finding a job in those fields!

[Calories]

You can always finish a general BA now if you are close to meeting the requirements. If you decide later that you want journalism, communications or a BEd, you can go back to school for a year or two to add to that general BA.