Job Discussion Forums

[overhere]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to retire in a few years and take up TEFL full time. I have been doing some volunteer teaching here in the U.S. and plan to continue doing that..However, I also want to enter the market in a few years with a related degree. I hold a J.D. and three unrelated masters in public administration, labor relations and social work (I know I go a little overboard when it comes to education). My education has served me well in my current career but I want to be a good teacher and also want to be attractive in the job market. I have a bit of anxiety about my age (i'll be 56 when I make this transition) holding me back.

I would like to teach several years and preferable in an University setting. My countries of choice would be Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, China or South America. I am open to the ME as well.

I plan to obtain take a CELTA course but am also considering a few different graduate programs.

Here are the choices I have narrowed it down to (although I am open to better suggestions)

1. M.Ed in Literacy concerntration with a TESOL specialization - University of Cincinnati

http://www.cech.uc.edu/literacy/programs/18MEDLTCY-TESL

This is at The University of Cincinnati - on campus program (I live in cincinnati)

disadvantage is the cost around $20,000

even though I live in cincinnati I would prefer a distance program vs. sitting in class every evening (law school broke me of wanting to do that)



2. Master of Science in Adult Education - includes EFL/ESL Teacher Certificate and option of EFL/ESL Teacher Training Certificate
Indiana University

http://scs.indiana.edu/grad/prospective/prosstudents.html


advantages - can be completed by distance learning except for a 3 day on campus seminar (required) degree does not indicate it was completed through distance learning

costs around $11,000

I want to teach adults

If my TELF career doesn't pan out I could move into Training (I have several years of training experience to build upon)

disadvantage -

Not a M.Ed ??? You can get a certificate in EFL but the overall focus seems more general regarding adult education.


Three day on campus requirement (not a big deal only a couple hours away from me)


3. Master of Science in Literacy, Cultural, Language Education
includes EFL/ESL Teacher Certificate and option of EFL/ESL Teacher Training Certificate
Indiana University

http://education.indiana.edu/langed/DegreeProgramsForms/tabid/5807/Default.aspx#ms

advantages - can be completed by distance learning

costs around $11,000

seems more related to TELF

Disadvantages - if anything maybe too narrow?

The reason i am looking at the I.U. programs is because they are within
a couple hours from me. It would be difficult for an employer to determine the degree was via distance learning.



I am open to other programs as well, if reputable and affordable. I would love a M.A. TESOL or Appiled Lingustics if I could find something through distance learning under $15,000.

I will have a pension of about $2800/month when I retire so wages are not my top concern. But I would at least like to break even with my ROI. So I would like to keep tuition costs between $ 10 and 20 K.

I would really be interested in your feedback. How would each of these programs be viewed by employers especially Universities?


Ultimately, I want to teach at the University level but am willing to pay my dues in the language mills . Again, I won't be able to retire for 6 years so I want to do whatever I need to until then to be ready for this transition.

Thanks for your input!!!

[johntpartee]

With what you have now, you could teach in China. I know you didn't ask, just thought I'd let you know. That upper level stuff won't make much difference at most of the places here as far as salary is concerned.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Your best bet is to bite the bullet and get a masters degree in TESOL or Applied Linguistics. You can get one from an Australian university for under $20,000US (more like $16,000US) in tuition (add more for books).

[tosca100]

You could definitely get a University teaching position in China with the qualificaionts you already have, as long as you just take the CELTA as well.

I have a Master in Law, not really related to teaching at all, and completed a CELTA last year. I have no further teaching experience and have still been offered a few positions at Universities in China, but turned them down, as I decided to go to Paris instead.

I am also already 43 and I think being a little bit older does not make a difference, some schools even prefer this, because they think you might be more mature and it is also helpful to have some work experience.

[coledavis]

Why not just invest in the CELTA first and then get some part-time experience just to check that you actually enjoy TEFL? It would be a pity to put all that study into something you might find you don't enjoy. Then if all goes well, then consider a masters degree. In fact, I think people who have got the CELTA and a couple of years of English teaching experience get more out of doing the MA.

[AjarnIam]