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randompan
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Nagoya, Japan
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 Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:03 am Post subject: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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I'm a Japan-based EFL teacher currently making plans for a Master's degree that I would like to start this autumn. I'm a U.S. citizen and have spent about seven years abroad, roughly six of which were here in Nagoya. While Japan's been good overall, I think I've hit the saturation point and am ready to make the move home in the near future. My priority now is how to make myself most marketable for a teaching career back in the States.
I was originally looking at an MA in TESOL with a focus on Applied Linguistics, but now feel like I should pursue a path that more directly relates to U.S. education. My concern is that 7-8 years teaching at a language school in Japan isn't going to amount to much on the ground in the States, regardless of post-graduate qualifications. I've more recently taken interest in getting an MA-TESOL with K-12 certification. How well would this set me up for getting a job readily in schools back home? While I generally prefer teaching adults, I would be more than willing to work a few years in the public school system as a sort of stepping stone to getting into community college work. And, of course, if it came down to it, I would think an MA-TESOL would work nicely in finding overseas work again later on down the line.
The trick to all this is that I really need to do the MA primarily by distance, as I want to continue working here and saving up for a smooth transition home in a couple years. I understand that K-12 certification typically requires field work - is this something that could be done towards the end when I'll be arriving back Stateside? If I could do the lion's share of the coursework by distance and take care of the contact hours later, that'd be ideal. And, does anyone have any recommendations on good online correspondence programs in TESOL/K-12 back in the U.S.?
I have a TEFL certificate (general TEFL, not CELTA) and did my undergraduate work in History and French (minor). Not sure how those might affect my teaching options at this point. Any advice? |
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john_n_carolina
Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 700
Location: n. carolina
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:46 am Post subject: |
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get your H.S. certs using one of those alternative certification programs. every state has them, some more.
for example, here in N.Carolina, it's called "NCTeach".
Florida, has several options also.
then, get the school district to cover some or all of your Masters. |
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randompan
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Nagoya, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Wouldn't an alternative certification program necessitate me being resident in the States? That would mean putting off my Master's even further. At this point I'm more interested in saving time rather than a bit of money (via a subsidized degree) so I can kind of hit the ground running once I return to the U.S. If that's possible, of course.
For reference, my home state is Oklahoma. While before I always imagined I'd set up elsewhere upon my return home, I'm not averse to teaching in Oklahoma, given the network of friends and family there, lower cost of living, familiarity and general ease of starting up again. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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| randompan wrote: |
I'm a Japan-based EFL teacher currently making plans for a Master's degree that I would like to start this autumn. I'm a U.S. citizen and have spent about seven years abroad, roughly six of which were here in Nagoya. While Japan's been good overall, I think I've hit the saturation point and am ready to make the move home in the near future. My priority now is how to make myself most marketable for a teaching career back in the States.
I was originally looking at an MA in TESOL with a focus on Applied Linguistics, but now feel like I should pursue a path that more directly relates to U.S. education. My concern is that 7-8 years teaching at a language school in Japan isn't going to amount to much on the ground in the States, regardless of post-graduate qualifications. I've more recently taken interest in getting an MA-TESOL with K-12 certification. How well would this set me up for getting a job readily in schools back home? While I generally prefer teaching adults, I would be more than willing to work a few years in the public school system as a sort of stepping stone to getting into community college work. And, of course, if it came down to it, I would think an MA-TESOL would work nicely in finding overseas work again later on down the line.
The trick to all this is that I really need to do the MA primarily by distance, as I want to continue working here and saving up for a smooth transition home in a couple years. I understand that K-12 certification typically requires field work - is this something that could be done towards the end when I'll be arriving back Stateside? If I could do the lion's share of the coursework by distance and take care of the contact hours later, that'd be ideal. And, does anyone have any recommendations on good online correspondence programs in TESOL/K-12 back in the U.S.?
I have a TEFL certificate (general TEFL, not CELTA) and did my undergraduate work in History and French (minor). Not sure how those might affect my teaching options at this point. Any advice? |
Just to be clear, do you want to teach adults or teach children?
Many, if not all, states require that ESL teachers in the government indoctrination centers (public schools) meet specific requirements in addition to the standard teacher certification. Here, for example, is what New York State requires: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/biling/pub/amend80210.htm
Now, here's what New York requires for teaching adults: http://www.nystesol.org/doc/posipaper05.pdf |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| randompan wrote: |
Wouldn't an alternative certification program necessitate me being resident in the States? That would mean putting off my Master's even further. At this point I'm more interested in saving time rather than a bit of money (via a subsidized degree) so I can kind of hit the ground running once I return to the U.S. If that's possible, of course.
For reference, my home state is Oklahoma. While before I always imagined I'd set up elsewhere upon my return home, I'm not averse to teaching in Oklahoma, given the network of friends and family there, lower cost of living, familiarity and general ease of starting up again. |
Well, is one state university that has an MA program in applied linguistics that you could do online, i.e. University of Massachusetts: http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/Online-Degree-Master-Applied-Linguistics.cfm. This one has an ESL/EFL emphasis. There are schools in England and Australia that have similar online programs but there is some question about whether those degrees (like any foreign degree) will be accepted in the US.
Some of the alternative credentialing programs have you attending college and doing your classroom teaching. Check out New Mexico's program: http://www.teachnm.org/alternative_licensure.html. |
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randompan
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Nagoya, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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| Chancellor wrote: |
| Just to be clear, do you want to teach adults or teach children? |
I've had experience teaching all ages, but generally I do prefer teaching college age through adults. That said, I thought my chances of finding work would be better if I focused on primary and secondary school education, as that's where the bigger need is back home. Among those, I think elementary and middle school would be most rewarding for me.
| Chancellor wrote: |
| Well, is one state university that has an MA program in applied linguistics that you could do online, i.e. University of Massachusetts: http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/Online-Degree-Master-Applied-Linguistics.cfm. This one has an ESL/EFL emphasis. There are schools in England and Australia that have similar online programs but there is some question about whether those degrees (like any foreign degree) will be accepted in the US. |
I originally planned on getting my degree out of Australia for cost's sake, but I've been concerned about how universally accepted out-of-country MAs are in the U.S. But regarding an MA in Applied Linguistics vs. one in TESOL + K-12, which would make me more marketable for finding an immediate job in the U.S.? And do reputable online programs exist for the latter? If I'm better off pursuing an MA in Applied Linguistics and working on the K-12 certification later, maybe I should do that.
A UMass MA would carry a pretty good reputation I'd imagine, no? (I really don't have any idea yet which programs in the U.S. have the most academic weight.) Overall, the specs and the FAQ on it look pretty good. If I were wanting to do that program though, I'd have to get on it pretty quickly - the deadline for Fall 2009 applications is Feb. 15th. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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| randompan wrote: |
| Chancellor wrote: |
| Just to be clear, do you want to teach adults or teach children? |
I've had experience teaching all ages, but generally I do prefer teaching college age through adults. That said, I thought my chances of finding work would be better if I focused on primary and secondary school education, as that's where the bigger need is back home. Among those, I think elementary and middle school would be most rewarding for me. |
If you really want to teach college students and adults then that's what you should pursue in terms of education.
| randompan wrote: |
| Chancellor wrote: |
| Well, is one state university that has an MA program in applied linguistics that you could do online, i.e. University of Massachusetts: http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/Online-Degree-Master-Applied-Linguistics.cfm. This one has an ESL/EFL emphasis. There are schools in England and Australia that have similar online programs but there is some question about whether those degrees (like any foreign degree) will be accepted in the US. |
I originally planned on getting my degree out of Australia for cost's sake, but I've been concerned about how universally accepted out-of-country MAs are in the U.S. But regarding an MA in Applied Linguistics vs. one in TESOL + K-12, which would make me more marketable for finding an immediate job in the U.S.? And do reputable online programs exist for the latter? If I'm better off pursuing an MA in Applied Linguistics and working on the K-12 certification later, maybe I should do that.
A UMass MA would carry a pretty good reputation I'd imagine, no? (I really don't have any idea yet which programs in the U.S. have the most academic weight.) Overall, the specs and the FAQ on it look pretty good. If I were wanting to do that program though, I'd have to get on it pretty quickly - the deadline for Fall 2009 applications is Feb. 15th. |
The issue you're likely to have with any state teacher licensing (which is really what we're talking about here, not just a master's degree) is how much reciprocity there may be with other states. Of course, an option is to look into one of those alternative credentialing programs. Some of the alternative credentialing programs have you attending college and doing your classroom teaching at the same time. Check out New Mexico's program: http://www.teachnm.org/alternative_licensure.html. |
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randompan
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Nagoya, Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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| Chancellor wrote: |
| If you really want to teach college students and adults then that's what you should pursue in terms of education. |
If that's something that I can readily get into, that would be ideal. However, from what I've seen through the research I've thus far done, it isn't so straight-forward to jump right into community college work or a good ESL/EFL language school job fresh off the boat. It sounds like there's a lot of competition for the good jobs from people with their feet already in the door. So, what I'm trying to do is gauge what kind of degree is going to best prepare me for a return home and where I should focus my energy for teaching jobs Stateside. I thought it might be more logical to go through the public schools - given the industry need, decent enough salary and relatively good benefits and job security.
Or am I misinformed? Is there a sort of "fast path" to finding good adult and college-age TESL jobs in the U.S.? Does 7-8 years of language school teaching in Japan account for much (adding in a graduate degree, of course)?
| Chancellor wrote: |
| The issue you're likely to have with any state teacher licensing (which is really what we're talking about here, not just a master's degree) is how much reciprocity there may be with other states. Of course, an option is to look into one of those alternative credentialing programs. Some of the alternative credentialing programs have you attending college and doing your classroom teaching at the same time. Check out New Mexico's program: http://www.teachnm.org/alternative_licensure.html. |
It sounds like most (though not all) states do allow some sort of temporary transferring of teaching licenses, with additional requirements to be completed within a two-year timeline or so. However, even looking at alternative certification programs, everything seems to require residency in the U.S. New Mexico's looks good overall, but it's practically impossible for me to pursue it without just up and moving there straightaway (without any local contacts or familiarity with the state, its cities and school districts). Is there nothing that can be pursued from overseas?
I'm looking at moving back to the U.S. in two years' time (i.e. Spring 2011). Given that otherwise I'd have to have enough funds to cover the move, set back up and begin a Masters' program together, I have to look at a more extended date than in 2009. Which is why I'm trying to tackle the Masters ASAP; if I have to hang around Japan for another couple years, I want to get further qualifications under my belt while I do so. If I can't get some sort of K-12 certification done from abroad, I need to look into the best MA TESOL program possible.
The UMass program looks excellent, but with a deadline just over two weeks away, I'd be really hard-pressed to get everything together in time (especially the recommendations). There appear to be other online TESOL MAs through Shenandoah University, Anaheim University and The New School in the U.S. Does anyone have any direct information on these programs? |
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john_n_carolina
Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 700
Location: n. carolina
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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...i think some of the state you can do online alternative certification.
first you have to apply. i think NCTEACH has an online program that has certain application dates. check NCTEACH.org
also, New Jersey has online alternative certification.
one thing to think about is where are all the ESL jobs going to be? in NC they are cutting them and letting go the ESL teachers.
every state is different. Texas has a huge need and also Arizon, NM, etc.
forget about the NE area of Mass, CT, NY, Maine...there are few immigrants there except in community colleges.
you might want to consider the UMASS Framingham online MATESL degree if you are serious. or, just wait until you get here and time your move so you can do the summer intership (like Memphis TN) and then start directly in the schools.
if you want to do Math, there is no problem with jobs there!
OK take care , good luck |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 778
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| john_n_carolina wrote: |
| you might want to consider the UMASS Framingham online MATESL degree if you are serious. |
There is also Framingham State College, which has MA classes abroad in different countries. Most of the locations are throughout Latin America.
However, there is one in South Korea, and the information is here:
http://fscku.wetpaint.com/page/About+FSC+-+KU?t=anon
If the Japan job has vacation time, they hold two weeks of courses in Jochiwon Korea during February and August. It's another way to get an American university that is NOT online, and that is a MA-EDUCATION with a TESOL emphasis.
Good combination! |
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randompan
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Nagoya, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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| john_n_carolina wrote: |
...i think some of the state you can do online alternative certification.
first you have to apply. i think NCTEACH has an online program that has certain application dates. check NCTEACH.org
also, New Jersey has online alternative certification.
one thing to think about is where are all the ESL jobs going to be? in NC they are cutting them and letting go the ESL teachers.
every state is different. Texas has a huge need and also Arizon, NM, etc.
forget about the NE area of Mass, CT, NY, Maine...there are few immigrants there except in community colleges.
you might want to consider the UMASS Framingham online MATESL degree if you are serious. or, just wait until you get here and time your move so you can do the summer intership (like Memphis TN) and then start directly in the schools.
if you want to do Math, there is no problem with jobs there!
OK take care , good luck |
Thanks for the info, john (and Chancellor before as well). Texas might be a pretty good option as it's close to Oklahoma (so it'd be an easy place to do speculative job hunting and subsequently move to). I've also got some local contacts there, most notably my brother and his family down in Austin. I'll look into the possibility for online certification in different states though. New Jersey is relatively unfamiliar territory for me, but the proximity to New York City would be a plus for a big-city person like me.
The Framingham State College program might be the way to go. Certainly the application deadline is far more doable and the program itself looks really good. A summer internship in Memphis would actually be very interesting as well; that's a city I think I would like to get to know better. Out of curiosity, what's the general reputation of the Framingham Master's program?
As for the Northeast, I imagine most of New England is unrealistic for a TESL career, but what about Boston and New York? Plenty of immigrants there, no? The cost of living in both places is pretty prohibitive though.
Tiger Beer, thanks for the info on the South Korea program. Unfortunately though, most of my vacation time is set, so I wouldn't be able to take enough consecutive flex days off to coincide with a couple different course periods a year. |
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john_n_carolina
Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 700
Location: n. carolina
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| Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:56 am Post subject: |
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...forget about the Northeast. Go South or Southwest.
maybe do the Memphis, Nashville, Austin, Houston, or somewhere in North Florida alt. cert program that has an intensive summer seminar start. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing for a move back to the U.S. |
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| randompan wrote: |
| Chancellor wrote: |
| If you really want to teach college students and adults then that's what you should pursue in terms of education. |
If that's something that I can readily get into, that would be ideal. However, from what I've seen through the research I've thus far done, it isn't so straight-forward to jump right into community college work or a good ESL/EFL language school job fresh off the boat. It sounds like there's a lot of competition for the good jobs from people with their feet already in the door. So, what I'm trying to do is gauge what kind of degree is going to best prepare me for a return home and where I should focus my energy for teaching jobs Stateside. I thought it might be more logical to go through the public schools - given the industry need, decent enough salary and relatively good benefits and job security.
Or am I misinformed? Is there a sort of "fast path" to finding good adult and college-age TESL jobs in the U.S.? Does 7-8 years of language school teaching in Japan account for much (adding in a graduate degree, of course)? |
I don't think you'll find a fast path to TESL jobs in the universities/colleges. Your language school experience may be sufficient to get you into some of the private language schools or into a public adult education program. In any event, a graduate degree is going to make you that much more marketable.
| Quote: |
| It sounds like most (though not all) states do allow some sort of temporary transferring of teaching licenses, with additional requirements to be completed within a two-year timeline or so. However, even looking at alternative certification programs, everything seems to require residency in the U.S. New Mexico's looks good overall, but it's practically impossible for me to pursue it without just up and moving there straightaway (without any local contacts or familiarity with the state, its cities and school districts). Is there nothing that can be pursued from overseas? |
Probably not unless you have equivalent teacher certification in another country. For example, here are the hoops you would have to jump through in New York State if you have certification outside the US: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/evalforeigncred.htm
Here's that reciprocity thing I was referring to: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/teachrecother.htm
| Quote: |
| I'm looking at moving back to the U.S. in two years' time (i.e. Spring 2011). Given that otherwise I'd have to have enough funds to cover the move, set back up and begin a Masters' program together, I have to look at a more extended date than in 2009. Which is why I'm trying to tackle the Masters ASAP; if I have to hang around Japan for another couple years, I want to get further qualifications under my belt while I do so. If I can't get some sort of K-12 certification done from abroad, I need to look into the best MA TESOL program possible. |
Various states have different requirements when it comes to accepting foreign certifications. I provided the link above to what New York State requires (I'm not suggesting you come to New York but I provided that information because I live in New York State). Also, here's information on adult and continuing education certification: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/aducomm.htm |
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