Korean Job Discussion Forums

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

An M.A. holder (in any field - business, engineering, TESOL) or a CELTA/DELTA trained EFL'er?

If you were the student who would you want teaching you?

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

What, trained monkeys not good enough for them? Wink

I think it depends upon the MA, but most of all it depends upon the teacher. Barring knowledge of the teacher and his/her experience I would lean towards CELTA for lower grades/levels whereas an MA holder might have an advantage for higher-level adults. Just my unscientific opinion.

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

no Jack Black option?

i always preferred mentors. give me someone who appreciates my unique intellect who has something to teach.

i vote Masters or higher. advanced degrees are good but not first on my list.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

While a degree is no guarantee, it is an indication of something.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I'd rather be taught by a bartender who can tell some good stories.

Seriously, though, I'd take the one with some specialization towards teaching. These days, a generic Masters Degree doesn't mean much more than that the person studied for two more years.

I'm a big fan of learning from people who had a job in the "real world" before teaching. Of course, they have to have some teaching skills, too.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

I'd prefer an MA (preferably in TESOL) than a CELTA/DELTA person.

I was tossing up between doing a CELTA course or a TESOL MA and I opted for the latter... a 3 semester course for under $AUD3,000 vs a 4 week 2,500 course. I'll have 22 days of supervised teaching experience, study curriculum design, assessment, language acquisition & a whole bunch more.

I know that I'll be a better teacher after completing my TESOL MA than a CELTA course and I hope the job market reflects this.

I think a lot of people have become too flippant about MAs, which is quite sad considering people invest a lot of time and money into furthering their education only to face the attitude that it means nothing other than they've studied for 2 years Crying or Very sad

Derrek ~ I guess that means you don't have one??? Very Happy

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

$3,000 for an M.A. Shocked

You must be an Australian citizen! Which university are you going to?

$12,000 Aus. after I`m finished at USQ !

I priced CELTA courses at about $1,400 U.S. in Bangkok but then you`d have to factor in the cost of living for a month.

Waterbaby:
Why do you think an M.A. TESOL would make you a better teacher than doing the CELTA course?

Has anyone here done both?

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Jim Romaine · Joined: 12 Nov 2003

I'd rather be taught by a teacher who is outging, inspiring, always willing to help, and has knowledge of what he's speaking about regardless of the certifications. A strong mind and voice go a long way.
The best teachers do not always have the best certs. Not even close.

igotthisguitar · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: teaching certs

oneiros · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Location: Villa Straylight

Me. I am an ESL god. Well, somebody had to say it...

Seriously, one of the best teachers I've worked with had no B.A. (this was back in the days when three years and a TESL certificate would get you a visa.) On the other hand, one of the worst teachers I've worked with had a Masters degree and years of experience working at a college in the United States. As a lot of people have said here, it depends on the person, not the piece of paper on the wall.