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athrockmor
Joined: 02 Feb 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Iowa USA
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 Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:41 am Post subject: Is a Master's in TESOL valuable? |
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Hi everyone,
There has been some great information on here, so I was hoping for a little of advice...
I am currently in graduate school full-time, working on my MA in TESOL.
My undergrad degree is in Theatre, but I believe that I will very much enjoy this field as a career. I am not independently wealthy, so I just wondered if this was a good choice, one that will enable me to find quality work that I can support myself on. I have no intention of becoming rich by any means, but I want to be secure that I made a good decision, or should I just get a certification. I would like to teach overseas, and eventually work for an American college.
THANKS SO MUCH for any constructive advice you can give me!! |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:50 am Post subject: |
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I'm assuming based on your post that you haven't taught before. If that's the case, then... well, I suppose it's too late, but I would have recommended getting some teaching experience before going for an MA, just to see if you do actually like teaching. An MA is quite an investment.
You won't get rich, but depending on where you go you can make a decent living. An MA will generally open more doors from you. Certain regions (e.g., the Middle East) are more likely to require one, and even when an MA is not required you may get a higher starting salary. With an MA you can do better than the standard language institute job--you can work in universities, which may or may not give you freedom to design your own classes.
An MA is a basic requirement for jobs in the US, so you won't really be at an advantage having one. You will also likely have a harder time finding full-time work in the US than abroad.
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 3589
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:00 am Post subject: |
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Denise
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| well, I suppose it's too late, but I would have recommended getting some teaching experience before going for an MA, just to see if you do actually like teaching |
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Not only that, but with some actual experince behind you, especially say teaching for a year in another country, your benefit from taking a MA TESOL will be greatly enhanced.
Teaching a year first overseas, or in a target conmmunity, then taking the MA clases, you can have an idea for yourself what is valuable in the course, and what is just a bunch of B.S.
You will also have a better idea how to use your MA time to your greater future benefit |
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Anda
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2199
Location: Jiangsu Province
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:23 am Post subject: Um |
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| A waste of money. Get yourself a degree in education and get on the register as a teacher in your home country and then you can work in International Schools that pay a lot better and provide a future. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Um |
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| Anda wrote: |
| A waste of money. |
That's certainly debatable, and I strongly disagree. I wouldn't have gotten one of my jobs without an MA, and I would have started at a lower salary at my current job without my MA. Nor would I be eligible for US community college and university jobs. The OP did mention working at American colleges, which have different requirements than international schools. An MA is a standard requirement.
An MA is an investment in yourself and your professional development, IF you know how you can use it. I certainly don't consider investing in myself a waste of money.
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Anda
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2199
Location: Jiangsu Province
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: |
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I'm not advising against a MA but a MA in TESOL I am.
In Australia for instance you can do a MA in Linguistics through the education department at the University of Southern Queensland and have your Degree paper marked as MA in Education. Then it is a matter of getting on the State register as a teacher. That will put you miles in front of a MA in TESOL in getting jobs and top pay. |
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