Job Discussion Forums

[MugwumpJ]

I'm in the process of getting an MA in TESOL (in the US), and have the option of completing a master's thesis or not...My advisor has suggested that if I want to teach in Europe (or Asia, for that matter), then I will have much more success in landing a job if I complete the thesis...My question is this: can anyone verify this?...Will a thesis truly help me get better positions in Europe?...In fact, are there any benefits to taking the thesis option?...

[shirley]

I would have to say yes, and get it published somewhere. European universities grant points, just like in American unis for publications. I'm sure you can get it published somewhere at the local level (edit it down to ariticle size). Try your state level TESOL organization. Also, pick a topic that you would be interested in doing further research and publishing on. Europe is fast taking on the American motto of "publish or perish".

[daily chai]

Straight from the horse's mouth:
"Master's degree
If a US master's degree is obtained by submission of a thesis, French universities will usually consider it as equivalent to a ma�trise, and admit the student to the troisi�me cycle (DEA or DESS).
Otherwise, it is considered equivalent to the licence, and the student may be admitted to a ma�trise course in France.
The US doctorate qualification is similar to the French."

http://www.egide.asso.fr/uk/guide/comprendre/comparaison/paralleleusa.jhtml

Voila, a master's course option is considered less than a thesis option. HTH! Shirley is right on--publish that thing somewhere. Even jobs in New Zealand give extra consideration for publication. It's a big deal!

BTW, I wrote two theses and lived to tell the tale. You can do it!