Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Stacy]

Would other Asian countries like Japan and Thailand be receptive to a Masters other than TESOL or English such as Marketing, Communications or an MBA? Is just having a Masters (in anything) enough to set you apart?

[PRagic]

Depends. For the standard ESL teaching jobs, the TESOL or A.L. degrees are the ones that trump. At a lot of universities, though, many departments are hiring people from other diciplines to teach English related to the topic (e.g. Business English; English for Engineering/Law/Chemistry).

Depends on the school. I know that some universities, mine included, the school's new policy is to only hire Ph.D.s except for the General English Program, which can hire MAs.

[Stacy]

ok thanks. So an MA in English wouldn't be a bad idea? What else can you do with it in the U.S. besides teach?

[ytuque]

[PRagic]

Actually, a degree in journalism works in better for writing and PR work, mostly because there is so much emphasis on writing proficiency.

[jackson7]

I'm happy that United States-based program I'm currently doing leads to an MSEd-TESOL. I think the M.S.Ed. part is more universally applicable then an MA-TESOL outside of Korea. Just my opinion, not based on anything I've heard or read.

[PRagic]

That's a great degree, especially if you want to get into administration (where the big bucks are). My friends in admin now have the MEd (with certification and experience in a field) and the M.S.Ed, which, I think, is the admin end of it. Then, if you want to go into consulting or higher admin positions, you go for the E.Dd. These guys are pulling in 150-200 a year USD. Not a bad go of it.

One buddy of mine worked as an English teacher for 6 years (middle and high school), then did his MSEd and got a job as a the principal of a small, private school. He then switched over to a big charter school. After a couple of years there, he got picked up by a huge educational admin consulting company as a 'turn around specialist', managing (principal-type job) schools that were in trouble. Fantastic coin, plus corporate perks that usually don't come with public school jobs. He started his doctorate, but didn't finish it. Still, that, plus his track record, was enough to get him into an even higher slot.

Now this guy is going to open his own education consulting company. He got certified as a motivational trainer along the way, and will be getting a grand a day working with school administrators as a 'coach'. These places are more than happy to pay it. He has the clients lined up, and will open the doors next year, anticipating a min first year pull of 200K.

And who said teaching doesn't pay? Damn.

[aka Dave]

My mother and father both had Ed.ds, mom was a prinicipal for 30 years, dad was a superintendent for 35 years.

I would never, ever, ever do those jobs. The stress level is *huge*.

[Gollywog]

[PRagic]

I hear you, akaDave. From what I understand, the stress level is so huge because you have to manage teachers, meet parents, and the whole time your job performance is generated by 14 year-olds' exam scores. Dont' think I could hang, either.

[ytuque]

[PRagic]

You're kidding, right? Journalism trumps lit for hard core writing any day.

[ytuque]

[PRagic]

Maybe, but the fact is that everyone I know in PR and editing favours the journalism degree. And I'm not talking about junior level employees, either.

[newteacher]