Job Discussion Forums

[SwimminThruAsia]

Hey All,

So I'm at a bit of a fork in the road currently and could use your help.
I recently began a Masters Program at a fairly reputable teachers college in NY (Manhattanville). So far I've only taken a few basic courses, such as Foundations of Education.
By the Fall, I have to decide what my focus is going to be..either TESOL or Social Studies+ Special Ed. Both courses would have me finish with NY Certification and a masters. Both would be fantastic for job prospects in the states-Spec. Ed and TESOL are hot areas right now.
However, I want to teach abroad, preferably in a (well paying) International School.
Which degree would serve me better? Are there enough non-native English speakers at International Schools that they hire TESOL holders? Are there enough Special Ed kids that I'd have more of a leg up with that? Are they both relatively useless in my international job hunt?

Any help/advice is appreciated!!

Thanks

Swimmer

[nomadder]

I thought you needed a B.Ed for international schools.

I never did get it. Schools want B.Eds and universities want Masters or PhDs. Which provides the best teachers? I have always heard that most Masters are so theoretical that you wonder how people learn to teach.

B.Eds and things like CELTA provide practical teaching experience, no?

[spiral78]

I can't answer the OP and I can't even answer all of nomadder's questions.

But my little input here is that not all MAs are theoretically-based.

My own is a common example: done primarily distance through a highly reputable British university, it required me to do classroom research and to present the research in the form of academic papers submitted throughout the six modules of coursework. This meant that the reading I did had an immediate impact on both my teaching and my views of what happens in classrooms.

Sure, if you wanted to write a dissertation on some theoretical aspect of the field, it was an option - I personally chose to do something directly related.

But the thing about a distance MA, in particular, is how the study can relate theory to practice, without dogmatically imposing any particular theory upon a teacher.

It's a very much wider context than a CELTA, for example, or other newbie courses, which need to start from a much narrower perspective to give people a platform to get started.

[Shan-Shan]

[spiral78]

And, of course, you'd be the best judge of whether either of us 'constantly' touts or whether the ratings are subjective or can be substantiated.

[mdk]

[darkside1]

If you are looking for a job in an international school then subject experience plus the M Ed in Social Subjects + Special Ed is going to cut more ice with potential employers than the Masters in TESOL; which still will be helpful up to a point in an international school, but is really for people who want to teach at universities.

[Justin Trullinger]

[tedkarma]

The international school route is certainly preferable to most other options. Another option is teaching at university level in foreign countries.

But - for long-term security, quite decent pay and benefits a TESOL and certification - will benefit you the most - and particularly if you pay the dues to get into the international school circuit.

[JZer]

[tedkarma]