Job Discussion Forums

[dmmacfarlane]

It's been a few years, but I have done some teaching in both South Korea and Macedonia, where I worked as an English Comp teacher in a university. It was a good gig, and at 43 I'm thinking of going back to it. The thing is, while I am both competent and currently qualified, my BA in journalism and MA in political science might not, I think, be adequate in terms of landing jobs that pay fairly well.

So here's my idea: I go back to earn an MA in rhetoric/composition, and work in some kind of ESL certification as well. I'm thinking the additional degree with my previous education and experience will make me readily employable at a foreign university (I'm American).

As I've been out of this market for a bit, I'd love some feedback on this idea. My goal is to basically to live abroad for an extended period teaching writing in foreign universities. What say you? Cheers.

[denise]

Is your goal to teach in credit courses or intensive English courses? If you get into an English program, you may not end up teaching exclusively writing.

d

[dmmacfarlane]

Thanks, Denise. That's fine. But I think my best bet in terms of getting a good job is to have the extra education. Yeah?

[Glenski]

If you're contemplating teaching in Japanese universities, you'd better get that other MA, especially if you're serious about writing classes.

Don't be surprised if you are given plenty of other types of classes, too, though.

[Marcoregano]

I imagine an MA/MEd in TESOL with an elective or two in writing-related areas would be your best bet. BTW, most uni jobs will also involve regular ESL teaching. You may also want to take note of the fact that European jobs might be harder to find thesedays if you're non-EU as more countries have been incorporated into Euroville.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[denise]