Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

I've decided I quite enjoy teaching and am thinking about turning it into a career. Since I already have my feet wet in teaching English, I am thinking about taking it to the next level with an MA in Tesol.

But there's a great deal I don't know that I should find out before I take any definitive steps in this direction. If you have an MA in Tesol or related field, I'd really appreciate your input:

- Is MA Tesol the degree to have, or are there others such as linguistics that would do just as well? What's the difference in curriculum?
- Is it possible to do an MA part time while working in Korea? What schools are good for distance learning?
- How long is the typical MA program? How much does it cost?
- Do typical programs require a thesis, or are they purely course based?
- Is it recognized as enough to teach at the university level everywhere? I want to have the freedom to relocate anywhere in the world and get a job. Travelling is a passion of mine.
- If you are currently teaching at a university, are the benefits as good as I hear they are? 4 months vacation? Decent pay? Enough preparation time? Any information on other countries too?

I'm sure I'm forgetting some important questions, but that's all I can think of for now...

[ceesgetdegrees]

I too am contemplating going down this route, although i would never undertake it via distance learning. I've found some good schools in Australia that offer an MA in applied liguistics focusing on TESOL teaching. regarding available jobs, just have a look in the international jobs board, there are a lot of positions going in the middle east that pay well if you have the experience and the qualifications. If i do go through with the MA, i don't think i'd return to korea though. The good uni gigs may be great in terms of low hours and lots of time off but 2.4+ a month isn't really what i'd be happy with.

[crash bang]

post this in the job-related forum. you might get more answers.

[agoodmouse]

Cdninkorea, here are distance M.A. study message threads on this forum. I haven't done an M.A., but I'm sure you can get some information from these links:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=86911

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=54021

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=111142

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=105468

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=93880

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=22649

[cdninkorea]

[cubanlord]

Hi all,

if you are interested in a long email outlining an accredited online MA TESOL program from The U.S., pm me with your email and I will send you a detailed breakdown of my experiences with SUTESOL (http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol). I graduate in less than 2 months.

Me.

[agoodmouse]

Cubanlord, what's the maximum credit load one can take each semester? In other words, how long does the M.A. program take if you commit yourself fully to the highest credit load each semester.

[cubanlord]

[HapKi]

[cubanlord]

In the past 48 hours, I have been innundated with emails about SU's program. So, here it goes:

M.S. Ed. With a concentration in TESOL from Shenandoah University
http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol

Hello everyone,

Recently, I have been receiving a lot of emails regarding my experiences in Shenandoah University�s Master of Science in Education (TESOL concentration) program. I hope this letter serves as a good basis from which you, a prospective student, can make an informed decision regarding what institution to attend. While you read this letter, keep in mind that all of the information I give you is true and verifiable. All you have to do is contact the professors whom teach the classes. This letter will follow the following format:

 University�s location
 Accreditation
 Program Structure
 Courses
 Cost
 Miscellaneous Comments

Shenandoah University (SU) was established over 100 years ago. It is a private, not-for-profit university located in Winchester, Virginia, USA, just a 40 minute drive from Dulles (airport code IAD) airport. The campus is extremely clean and traditional in structure (i.e. bricks). The TESOL program itself has been active for approximately 13 years. Before I continue, I feel it is imperative for those reading this letter to know that this program is a �real� Master�s program. In other words, the courses are offered onsite should you choose to physically attend classes.

Additionally, SU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.sacscoc.org/dtails.asp?instid=62800). This accrediting body also accredits level VI schools (those that offer at least 4 or more doctoral degrees) such as Barry University, Florida State University, Rollins College, Saint Thomas University, Stetson University, University of Florida (my alma mater), University of Miami, University of Kentucky, University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee, Baylor University, Texas A & M University, Duke University, etc. Therefore, as you can see, this is a quality program. Otherwise, it would not have been accredited by this body that accredits top tier schools.

The MS TESOL program contains 15 different classes that must be completed in order to graduate, a total of 33 hours. Currently, the classes required are as follows and preferably taken in the following order (http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol/msed.html):

1. The profession of TESOL
2. English linguistics
3. Language Teaching Methods
4. TESOL Materials and Assessments
5. Language and Culture
6. Second Language Acquisition
7. Current Issues in TESOL I (a composition/research class. One paper = the majority of your grade)
8. Current Issues in TESOL II
9. Current Issues in TESOL III
10. TESOL Observation I
11. TESOL Observation II
12. TESOL Observation III
13. Language Program and Curriculum Design
14. Research and Statistics for TESOL
15. Your choice between an Internship (recommended for those with zero experience in the field of TESOL) or Portfolio (recommended for those with teaching experience)

Each course is taught by extremely qualified professors (http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol/whoweare.html), not tutors as other programs do. You deal directly with the professors of the course. Each course can be categorized as follows:

Those entailing asynchronous discussions, assignments, mid-terms and finals:
1. The profession of TESOL
2. English linguistics
3. Language Teaching Methods
4. TESOL Materials and Assessments
5. Language and Culture
6. Second Language Acquisition
7. Language Program and Curriculum Design
8. Research and Statistics for TESOL

Those entailing writing as the majority of your grade:
1. Current Issues in TESOL I (a composition/research class. One paper = the majority of your grade)
2. Current Issues in TESOL II
3. Current Issues in TESOL III

Those entailing observing other teachers in action (short papers and observational notes required):
1. TESOL Observation I
2. TESOL Observation II
3. TESOL Observation III

The following class requires anything from a formal research proposal to other components:

1. Portfolio � For this class (even for the internship choice), you MUST visit SU and defend your presentation. This is the only time you must go to the university. Do this, and you graduate (I should be flying out in late April).

For more details, please visit the site via the above link. When you click on the classes, detailed explanations will appear.

Currently, the costs of the courses are $320US per credit hour. Also, there is a $70 per credit hour for 6 of the courses. This is due to the fact that the university sends out lectures on DVD from the actual professors. The department has been gracious enough to provide all students (for the time being and until the money runs out) with a 50% scholarship should you be accepted into the program: http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol/tuition.html

What are the requirements to get accepted? http://www.su.edu/sas/tesol/application.html Go here for more details.

I hope this has answered many of your questions. I have received some other questions which I will now answer:

�Aren�t you attending this program?�Yes, I am in the portfolio class. Upon successful completion of the course, I will graduate with my Master in Education.

�What was/is the total cost to you?�Well, if you count tuition, books, and the $70 charge for the 6 courses, I have paid approximately $12,000USD for the entire program.

�How intense of a course load are you able to comfortably handle while still working?�In all honesty, this will vary depending on the individual. I am completing my program in a year and a half; I took 4 classes each term. During this time, I was working approximately 26 to 30 hours a week (at work). This didn�t include my graduate work. The course workload is heavy if you procrastinate. Also, it becomes quite difficult if you lag in your response times to the discussion boards and fall behind in your readings. I was capable, and with comfort, of working at least 1 week ahead in each class. This included my readings and my well-researched and supported positions in the asynchronous discussion boards. There are no synchronous components of the program. Therefore, it is quite easy to do your work at your own pace. The course load will differ from person to person. The real question people should be asking themselves is how many classes can they handle? Also, how fast does one want to finish the courses? Below you will find a breakdown of my semesters. I managed them effectively; therefore I never had a problem with course workload:

Semester 1
The Profession of TESOL
English Linguistics
Current Trends in TESOL I

Semester 2
Language Teaching Methods
TESOL Materials and Assessment
Current Trends in TESOL II
Observation I

Semester 3
Language and Culture
Second Language Acquisition
Current Trends in TESOL III
Observation II

Semester 4
Language Program and Curriculum Design
Research and Statistics
TESOL Observation III

Semester 5 (now)
Portfolio

�Overall, how happy are you with the program?�I am extremely satisfied. The classes are set up in a practical manner. In other words, what you learn in the classes is easily applied to your real-life situations, and vice-versa. The quality of the program is up there and I do not regret one cent of my investment. SU really came through in terms of quality classes (classes that really made you think), professors that are specialized in the fields in which they are teaching, and teacher-student relations (I am yet to have a professor respond more than 48 hours after I posted a question). In my opinion, SU transcends normal standards set forth by many, if not all, graduate TESOL programs out there.

�Did SU work with you in respect to tuition payments, or did they require it all be paid? Any payment plans?�

SU assisted me in getting financial aid; they guided me in the right direction. As far as I know, there are no payment plans. I would suggest emailing [email protected] and asking her about payment plans. I paid for the semester in its entirety.

These are the questions I have received thus far. I am happy to answer any questions anyone may have regarding SU�s Master in Education program. These are just the facts that can be found on the website or by emailing the director personally. Also, these are just the opinions of a student about to graduate from the program. There are other good programs out there; I am sure of it. However, this one rises above the rest because established, well-respected professors teach the actual courses. There are a multitude of other reasons why this program is better, though, I will stop at this for now.

You don�t have to worry about mailing anything in or having your work graded by a �tutor�. The professors are available 24/7 via email and will not hesitate to help you. Ultimately, the decision lies with what you want the most. If you value what I have listed and the points I have elaborate on, then this program will most likely satisfy all of your needs. If not, then perhaps another program will better suit you.

Best,
Me.

P.S. Please forgive any grammar or spelling mistakes. I wrote this in haste and don�t have the time to check it. 

[cubanlord]

[cangel]

I graduated from SU way, way back in 2000. I completed the MSEd TESOL in 3 semesters-fall, winter, and spring. I officially graduated in August 2000 as that is SU's official graduation ceremony time... I worked my buns off and do not recommend doing the 3-semester route. Between student teaching, school, working evenings, and doing homework until the wee hours, it was a rough 1.5 years.

[cubanlord]

[cangel]

Just a note-if it matters... I did the program on site not via distance so I can vouch that this is indeed a doctoral-granting, brick and mortar institution and not just a fly-by-night operation.

[meangradin]

I would be careful when it came to choosing a program from soem of the Australian "mills". I know a few Korean teachers who received their MA's on campus from "Macquirie" (sp?) and they could barely speak or read, let alone write in English. How they obtained with a graduate degree is beyond me?