Job Discussion Forums

[daniel_hayes]

I start an MA in September. Would having this qualification, plus a BA, make me eligable for the better teaching jobs - maybe not quite the international schools, but hopefully the best schools and Universities?

I hear that, in Korea, having an MA qualifies teachers to teach at Uni level. Partixcularly interested in Asia and S.America

Thanks.

[Justin Trullinger]

I think you need to be a little specific. What are you doing your MA in?


Best,
Justin

[daniel_hayes]

It's a MA in Critical Theory -- which is basically literary theory, a sub-genre of english literature.

I know there are MAs in TEFL, but I have an English Lit degree and have a passion for literature.

Also, Ecuador seems a fascinating place. Do you work there?

[Justin Trullinger]

Actually just left Ecuador, and am now in South Korea. I was in Ecuador for 7 years, though, and I love it. So feel free to ask! In general, it's easy to find work, though not at all to find well-paid work. Most teachers get by, live okay locally, but it's not rich even by local standards, and you won't save enough to matter. Work's always available, though.

Your MA would look nice on a resume, in the sense of proving you to be a well educated literate kind of guy, but by itself, wouldn't really qualify you for anything particular in the markets I'm familiar with. Did you do any kind of a teaching endorsement as part of your lit degree? If so, this will help a LOT.

If not, you're looking at pretty entry level stuff in any of the markets I'm familiar with. If education isn't part of your degree, I'd strongly recommend some kind of teacher training before you set out.



Best,
Justin

PS- Universities I know in Korea are pretty much asking for relevant MAs. Critical theory could be a lot of fun to study, but it just doesn't really relate to teaching people to speak English.

[daniel_hayes]

I think children the world over need to learn about Post-Structuralism, Feminist-theory, and Cultural Materialism.

'Okay, now teacher will explain how we are controlled by language, and how the world is built on binary opposition. What was that Javier, you want to talk about music? Not in this class young man! Write, 'The Author is Dead, there is only a reader' 100 times on this whiteboard.'

See, Critical Theory can be very helpful to those wishing to learn English!

Unfortunately, my degree had no teaching units or anything, but I will get a CELTA before I start teaching. If I can only get entry-level jobs, that's cool.

Other than Asia, I'm fascinated by Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador ... places like that.

[spanglish]

I suggest that you go to the official IB website, find a country you're interested in going to (like Colombia for example) and email every single school there with your resume and short note that highlights your impressive quals. You don't necessarily need a teaching credential to teach at an international school, some will hire you with just a B.A. and CELTA and your masters would be valued. Also, check out universities. Post to the Colombia board for more specific advice on that country.

[Isla Guapa]

Admittedly this is second-hand information, but from what I've read here and on other TEFL websites and from what friends have told me who've taught at international schools, the good ones require you to have a teaching license from your home country and often a relevant M.A.

[daniel_hayes]

The IB link is great, thanks for that!

I think the International Schools require a fully qualifies teacher (PGCE here in England), so I assume they are out of my league.

But I want to explore the level of teaching/schools that come between big chain language schools like English First, and the international schools.

So that could be good public schools, excellent private language schools, or, from what I've been told, Universities.

I also want to research the teaching of academic writing and academic English. I feel my degree is ideal for this purpose.

[spanglish]

If they have a vacancy, they'll hire the best teacher that comes along, no teaching credential needed.

[Isla Guapa]

[spanglish]

I didn't say it was true for everywhere. Let me clarify: in exceptional circumstances an IB school (yes, even the best ones) will hire the best candidate that comes along. I recently interviewed with one that is in just such a situation. Teachers quit, get sick, leave the country and emergency vacancies arise.

The point is, you should apply to as many schools as possible and do as much on-the-ground networking that you can in order to land the best jobs. This is particularly true in Latin America.

[Isla Guapa]

[spiral78]

If they have a vacancy, they'll hire the best teacher that comes along, no teaching credential needed.\\\

I didn't say it was true for everywhere. Let me clarify: in exceptional circumstances an IB school (yes, even the best ones) will hire the best candidate that comes along. I recently interviewed with one that is in just such a situation. Teachers quit, get sick, leave the country and emergency vacancies arise

It's a point I've made in relation to Europe many times over the past years, and have taken lots of flak for.....

We can only really give advice based on general conditions. Of course, special situations occasionally might arise, and a few people get lucky.

However, if a newbie is asking for general advice, all we can say is 'what's the general rule for ABC.'

Candidate X might get lucky, but the general rule is something different. And that's all we can give advice on!!

[spanglish]

Will hear back in the next couple of weeks. He said I had a 40% chance, of course I'm not depending on that offer. The salary increase would be nice though...

The principal also told me that if they were to hire me it would be on a 1 year contract and in order to stay on I would only need to be in the process of studying an education related masters.

[Glenski]