Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

I've been accepted into Nottingham's MA TESOL program, but want to weigh my options.

I chose the MA TESOL route because:

- I don't have an undergrad.
- It will take less time than completing an undergraduate.
- It's a degree RELATED to teaching - which is what I want to do.
- There aren't many in-class lectures, so I'd be able to work while studying.

One problem with this route is that certain countries require an undergraduate degree for legal work status. I've thought of possibly completing a BA after the MA (through distance education).

Anyways the more reading I do - which is a LOT - the more I'm reading about the advantages of being a certified teacher (B.Ed/PGDE). I'm put off a little by this route because of the time, and cost due to potentially not working (I'm limited to where I can work without a BA).

I'm currently working in Vietnam, but there aren't any programs here that would be respected internationally. The MA I was accepted into is through a respectable UK University (Nottingham), which has a campus in Malaysia.

Might anyone be able to recommend any good, RECOGNIZED programs in Asia (perhaps SE Asia, or China) where I could get a quality B.ED (all inclusive degree that includes qualified teachers status).

A tough question. I've been doing my own research, but haven't made a lot of ground so far. I've delayed my MA until December, and I'm not committed yet.

[sistercream]

Hong Kong University offers proper B.Ed's using English as medium of instruction, but I think all their applications for the coming academic year closed in February already - you might want to check the website to make sure.

[Sudz]

Thanks for that. Looks good, but it's a little too expensive for me unfortunately.

[naturegirl321]

An American Uni would be good, but expensive. HOnestly, I'd go back home and get it. It'll probably be better in the long run to have a degree from an English speaking country. Speaking from experience, I'm doing ANOTHER MA because my first wasn't from an English speaking country.

[Sudz]

naturegirl - If I choose to go the B.ED route, It'll definitely be from a Canadian/US/UK/Australian university. Ideally, I'd like to study somewhere where I'd be able to teach PT, so a reputable university with a location in Asia (like Nottingham) would be ideal.

Still like the MA TESOL route, but I'm also slightly torn on whether I'd like to focus on K-12 or university. Also, I'm worried that my lack of BA will be a hindrance.

[fladude]

The University of Central Florida has a ton of online degree programs, and so does the University of Alaska. You could get an online degree from either one of those. Neither would be cheap, but the degree would be accepted anywhere.

[naturegirl321]

I think that TEFL Intl has some agreement with unis in Thailand. Maybe you could check that out?

[JZer]

You could get a degree from Temple at their Tokyo campus. Though that would not be very cheap. You can probably get a student visa to study at Temple in Japan.