Job Discussion Forums

[WhatTimeFinish?]

Hi all, I've been lurking these boards for quite a while and, a few days ago, summoned up the will to join Dave Sperling's Cafe to post a variation on a (much-talked about, I know, I know) query.

As an ESL teacher I'd be wanting to take a distance-learning course, of course. My requisites are that the course is recognised and the certificate unlikely to be misinterpreted by schools, Universities or governments.

Also I'm in no hurry, and would like a thorough education from an institution that provides support, backing and aid in spades. I'd want a UK Uni as I usually spend a month or two there, every year.

A recommendation via the internets??! Yes please, or at least some anecdotes, a parable, or even just some vague recollection of a link to a website that may help me to choose, would all be appreciated.

My qualifications are a Ba (non-related to ESL), Trinity Certified TESOL, 3 years in ESL (primary and tertiary), and first prize in a throwing the welly competition in primary school.

Thanks for reading.

[spiral78]

I did the MA TESL/TEFL through University of Birmingham. I can recommend it from both the 'I learned useful stuff' angle and from the perspective of its effect on my CV and job options.

[WhatTimeFinish?]

Thanks for the reply, Spiral. I see they do distance learning MAs in TEFL and Applied Linguistics. I've heard these are, pretty much, the same courses and it's all semantics, but on inspection the TEFL MA looks more appropriate to teaching.

If you don't mind me asking a few questions;

The course length is 2 1/2 years - is that set in stone?
When did you do this course?
What does their support consist of?

Thanks again.

[spiral78]

The course length is 2 1/2 years - is that set in stone?
When did you do this course?
What does their support consist of?

I finished in 2007. When I did it, students had maximum 6 years to finish. Support was a supervisor for the modular units, who gave some guidance to the papers required for the units, plus a dissertation supervisor who was chosen depending on your topic/range/field. My first supervisor was a bit flaky, but I was given a second, very strong one when I asked for a change. My diss supervisor was very British and a bit distant as a result, but overall quite effective, though at the time I felt a bit left out on a limb on my own.

I think that now there is a quite active internet chat group of Bham distance students and grads and tutors, which wasn't yet in existence when I did the course. I think that could be quite useful as well.

[WhatTimeFinish?]

That's great advice, Spiral, and I thank you whole heartedly. I've emailed a representative for the course and am waiting for her reply. The next one starts October which could be a little early for me as I completed my degree in the last century! Ha ha, that makes me sound crusty, it was actually in '96 which is still a while ago, so I may need to brush up on some skills before I do the course proper. There looks to be a pre-course unit for brushing up on study skills so I may take my time over that.

Thanks again, very helpful.