Job Discussion Forums

[sked]

anyone know anything about the M.A.Program in Linguistics (TESOL:Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Sofia University, Japan? I can't find a thing about the course, entry requirements, fees, reviews of the course etc except this on their website: http://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/graduate_p/english_g2/english_tesol

anyone been there before or know anything about it that can give me some advice on whether it is worth me undertaking this course as opposed to a similar course anywhere around the world? i'm from the UK and i know there are plenty of courses like this there.

I will have 2 years teaching experience in Korea and i'm aiming to become pretty decent in Japanese in the next 3 or 4 years (hence the Sofia link).

also my BA is in something unrelated to linguistics. is it true that 2 years teaching experience can be looked upon favourably when seeking an MA in applied linguistics in lieu of a related BA?

a lot of questions, but i greatly appreciate any help on this, thanks

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I have no experience with that particular program.

However,

1. They only accept EIGHT students a year.
2. Although you can do the program in English, and they say that it is similar to programs in the US and Canada, it is not a university from an English speaking nation and therefore outside of Japan may not be looked on all that favourably by employers- especially since you, presumably, are not Japanese. In fact, truth be told, it may not be looked on as favourably as a program from an Inner Circle English speaking nation (Canada [not the French part], the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland [in no particular order, obviously]) within Japan either.

About reviews of the program: It started in 2006. They only accept 8 students a year. They state that most of those go on to do the PhD. That means that by now, very few people will actually have finished.

[naturegirl321]

How many people apply?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]