Korean Job Discussion Forums

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

i want to get more serious about teaching esl/efl, i want to be able to work anywhere. how do i do it: i know i must get my masters... should i do it in esl? or just english? what are the top schools to appy to? and should i get a celta or toefl or tefl? is tehre a specific website i can look at to tell me what steps to take? i love teaching and i want to open up my options to places otehr than korea one day. thanks.

thunderbird · Joined: 18 Aug 2009

VanIslander

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

Getting serious about ESL/EFL can point to different objectives and directions. One route is to get the CELTA, followed by the DELTA, and then use these qualifications to help you complete a master's. Now, there are different master's you could work towards. Do you want to focus on children, english for specific purposes, applied linguistics, and so on? This kind of inevitable specialization will open some doors and also close a few, but not many.

You can also go the certified teacher route. Get certified as a public school teacher and specialize in EFL/ESL. This will open doors to international schools with the right experience. It all depends on what you want to achieve. International schools can pay a lot more money, but you will have to work for it. University positions can be lucrative, but not entirely secure, but you will be asked to publish articles and do research at any truly worthwhile university.

Of course, another route is to study to become a DOS or teacher trainer or even a business English teacher. International House has some good training programs for these. Materials development is another route. It all depends on what you would like to focus on and specialize in.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Here's a nice list I made of MA's and certificates.

Best of all - look after your own knowledge and jumping through the hoops of courses will be easy (so long as you have time/$). Start your reading, thinking , watching HERE

Best,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

Van Islander

I don't know why you would suggest a CELTA and a MATESOL?

since a Masters in TESOL by far outweighs a 120 hour course, the CELTA becomes obsolete when you have a MATESOL.

A masters in Linguistic, Education, TESOL or English will open the right amount of doors in most countries. Some higher positions still want the PhD. I have even met a few PhD's with totally unrelated majors get jobs instead of individuals with Masters in related fields. Some schools just like the title.

Avoid online degrees. The top schools that pay well know the degree mill online schools.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:25 am Post subject:

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:33 am Post subject:

here is out of a job ad on the international job board here at dave's from today:

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

If you do an MA program with a teaching component, there should be no need for the CELTA either for additional training or employment purposes. The CELTA is used as a quick way to enter the profession. And, the demand for teachers in the world is so high, many employers have elevated it to a higher status than it actually deserves. I have an MATEFL from a British university and have been asked by some employers in the past if I also had a CELTA. But, these were entry level jobs and they are accustomed to asking for that qualification. At the university level, I have never been asked for the CELTA, only an MA. Employers who would prefer a 120-hour crash course over at least a one-year program just don't really understand the profession.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

I have also taken the CELTA before I took my masters.

The two MA Tesol programs that I am acquainted with not only have a strong linguistics background but also have 2-3 courses of educational theory and practice. 8 hours of classroom practice from a CELTA isn't that much either.

Do you really think any school that really knew what was going on would desire a 120 hour course above a 2 year program that emphasizes purely on teaching English as a foreign language?

The few Universities in Asia that I have worked for require a masters in a related field, and do not consider BA +CELTA.

If you have done a MATESOL that wasn't online, I don't think that you would even think the material in the 120 CELTA or equivalent qualification would be much at all.

Most of the trainers for CELTA/TEFL etc. don't have advanced degrees only experience.

A lot of the middle east jobs that are entry level require a BA + CELTA but I have rarely seen anything that said MATESOL + CELTA, if the MA was in an unrelated field then most schools want the CELTA.

even your job ad that you just posted said BA not MA.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

dunc180 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

Just yesterday I asked an adult language college employer in Australia this question. He said that some employers in Australia prefer MAs, while others prefer CELTA. He suggested CELTA because "it is recognised throughout Europe."

So I think it depends on the employer, the kind of institution, and what kind of program they offer. It does seem strange though doesn't it, that the world of ESL requires so many different, and specific, qualifications?

I am trying to get some ESL work here in Australia while I complete my Education degree. I taught in Asia for almost 4 years and it means nothing unless I have a CELTA or recognised TESOL certificate. Even when I finish my Education degree, I'm still not qualified to teach adults ESL here.