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mortimer
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
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 Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: Steps to start a MA in Tesol |
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Hi all, I've been trying to find out what are the prerequisites for starting a MA in Tesol.
I currently have the basics, that is a BA and Cert 3 in Tesol. What other certifications do I require to start a Masters? Is it at all posible to go straight onto it with just a degree and a tesol cert. Oh, my degree is not an educational based degree.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!! |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| I imagine it depends on the program and school. I'm sure some people here will know, but it might be best to check out different university websites and see what they say. |
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artyom
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: |
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| Hey where were you planning on doing your MA? I know in the UK pretty much all universities require a degree, certTesol and at least 2 years minimum teaching experience. According to my tesol instructors this 2 years is essential. |
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Snowkr
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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OP, are you planning to do it all online?
If so, I highly recommend otherwise. When learning the methodology and practices of TEFL/TESL, not to mention introduction to linguistic components like phonetics and phonology, an online course will really sell you short!
There are schools in the U.S. that will allow you to do the M.A. TESOL on-site provided you have an accredited 4 year B.A. or B.S. and take the GRE. You don't need any sort of background in TESOL or a certificate, even though it is definitely a plus.
I went to California to do mine and have never regretted it. My undergrad degree was totally unrelated to the field too...
Pm me for details if you're interested! |
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Snowkr
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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On a side note...
I've heard that Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has a really good affordable program offered on-site and is fully accredited and recognized in Australia.
I don't think they require 2 years experience or additional certification, but you'd have to check... |
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Toju
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Do not use Birmingham. Their administration is absolutely terrible and it is expensive. I am in the process of mine at the moment through them and if I hadn't invested so much time and money, I would be looking for a different university. |
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ceesgetdegrees
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
On a side note...
I've heard that Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has a really good affordable program offered on-site and is fully accredited and recognized in Australia. |
Maybe but their website sucks. Too bad to because i'm in the market for a good Mappling program in Aussie somewhere and if they can't get their shit together enough to provide a good informative website then that automatically sets off a few alarm bells for me. |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Snowkr wrote: |
OP, are you planning to do it all online?
If so, I highly recommend otherwise. When learning the methodology and practices of TEFL/TESL, not to mention introduction to linguistic components like phonetics and phonology, an online course will really sell you short!
There are schools in the U.S. that will allow you to do the M.A. TESOL on-site provided you have an accredited 4 year B.A. or B.S. and take the GRE. You don't need any sort of background in TESOL or a certificate, even though it is definitely a plus.
I went to California to do mine and have never regretted it. My undergrad degree was totally unrelated to the field too...
Pm me for details if you're interested! |
I'm sure everyone would rather do their degree on site, but for those of us who can't afford to not work, online programs are the only viable option.
Happy to hear you enjoyed doing your degree though.  |
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MA_TESOL
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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I did at mine at San Jose State and worked the whole time. I had a great job as a staff accountant in a high tech company that gave me a flexible schedule, so when each semester gave me a different school schedule, my job allowed me to come in around that schedule. I was very fortunate.
I did a resident two year M.A. I don;t knoq how it is done online, but I will say that I highly valued interacting with peers and Professors. I don't think an online degree can really give that to you. |
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snehulak
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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| cdninkorea wrote: |
I'm sure everyone would rather do their degree on site, but for those of us who can't afford to not work, online programs are the only viable option.
Happy to hear you enjoyed doing your degree though. |
There are some reasons that a person wouldn't be able to do an on-site program, but I don't think this is one of them. If you are disciplined you can save at least 10k per year in Korea, then go home and do a two year program while working part time. It's tough and requires some sacrifice, but it's very doable. I worked for two years in Korea to save up enough money to do my masters program. I found a school that is affordable and accredited and located in a city with good public transport so that I wouldn't need a car. I'm doing just fine.
I did a semester online with Shenandoah U, and found the program to be less than satisfying. The whole idea of using asynchronous discussion forums to replace face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates is complete bunk. The professor actually dictated how many times you had to post and on which subjects. Watching the course DVDs was also boring to the extreme. The whole setup is just so unnatural. I'm sure that several years down the road the technology will be up to the task, but right now it just doesn't cut it. Take the time and effort that it takes to get a legitimate degree at a real university.
I'm sure some posters will come on here trying with all their might to defend their online degrees, but they probably know deep down that what I'm saying is true. There is simply no substitute for the kind of learning that takes place when you have in-depth discussions with your professors and classmates on a daily basis. If you think doing a demo lesson in front of a few Korean teachers and flunkies from the Dep't of Ed is difficult, try doing one in front of 40 of your peers and two or three professors, and in a foreign language to boot! That's just one example from many of the kind of experiences I've had in just my first semester here.
Do yourself a favor and do your degree on-site. It's the best option right now. |
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mortimer
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:55 am Post subject: |
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Hi Guys,
Thanks very much for your feedback. I can appreciate the benefits of doing a course on campus, however I really don't have the time to do it. I'm living in Vietnam at the moment and I really don't like the idea of having to return home (Australia) to do a masters. I realise that it would be a lot better, I think an online masters would be my only option.
I've had a look at a few of the courses in Australia. I've seen that UNE do a Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics. Does anybody know about this course? Does it matter if you do this or the Masters in Tesol? What one would you recommend? Do schools accept both or lean towards one?
Thanks again. I would love to do an on campus course, but commitments won't allow me to work part time (unfortunately).
Cheers!!! |
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