Job Discussion Forums

[kiracle]

Hi,

I've heard vague rumours about being able to get your master's in TOESL while working Japan either totally online or in a combination of residential and online courses. Does anybody have more info or experience?

Thanks

[Sherri]

You have several options in Japan. You can do long distance courses (they are not what I would call "on-line"). Check out this link:

http://www.eltnews.com/ad/deh/tefl_tesl.shtml
I am doing the course through the University of Birmingham and am very satisfied so far. Almost all can be done on your own time, but there is a one week seminar you have to attend in Hiroshima. You have a tutor who is based in Japan and lots of opportunity for communication with others on the course.

There is also Temple University and Columbia Teachers College here in Tokyo where you can attend classes in English to get an MA is TESL/TEFL. I believe Temple also has a campus in Osaka. I am sure a google search will turn up the right pages.

There are other options too. You can take up almost any long distance course while working here. I hear some of the Australian courses are very good and cheaper than the British or American ones.

[PAULH]

Kiracle

I am a graduate of the Temple program (1994) in Osaka

the link is http://www.tuj.ac.jp

I have also written a 'birds-eye view' of the TUJ program on the following site

http://www.teachinginjapan.com/continuinged.html

I am also enrolled in the Birmingham course, but at the PhD level. The Birmingham Masters course is done through David English house in Hiroshima, and I have other links to offshore distance degrees if you are interested.

[Gordon]

On line Masters programs can be done from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and reliable internet connection. You don't have to choose one based in Japan, you can do any program you like.

[Gordon]

On line Masters programs can be done from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and reliable internet connection. You don't have to choose one based in Japan, you can do any program you like.

[PAULH]

Gordon

I would also qualify that by saying that some distance courses done in Japan expect you to complete a residency, either in Japan or at the home campus overseas. Birmingham for example requires you to spend some time in Hiroshima, and my phD program means I will have to spend up to 8 months out of 4 years in the UK at some point. There is a current program for A. University in the US that offers an (unaccreditted) but popular distance Masters TESOL program with some of the coursework done in Hawaii.

Check the residency requirements before you put down your hard earned cash, becuase you will have to think about international airfare, lodgings and expenses away etc.

[Gordon]

Yes you are quite right Paul. You have to read the fine print, but many distance programs don't require any kind of residency requirement.