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livinginkorea
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Location: Korea, South of the border
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 Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: |
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| lost at sea wrote: |
I have a few questions about the (applied linguistics) MA program at the U of Birmingham as well as some other random questions.
1) How strict is the 3.5 GPA requirement?
-- I understand some people have been accepted with a 3.1 or so GPA, but what are the chances of someone with a 3.0 or 2.9 GPA if they have good references, experience and everything else?
2) Aside from Birmingham, are there any other high end schools (for applied linguistics) that would be respectable and accredited enough to enter nice university jobs and also enter a phd program upon completion of the MA?
-- I don't mind if they are 1 year or 2 year programs, I am looking for the best I can get while being here in Korea. How about the University of Nottingham, or Macquarie University, or the University of New England?
3) Would it be at all worthwhile to study at a low-end one year school and try to enter a university job and also a phd program?
-- I want to enter a phd program, such as the phd program offered at Korea University. I am unsure if a one year masters provided by such a place like USQ would suffice for admissions into their phd program. Any advice here? I assume I should stick to the reputable 2 year distance MAs.
4) Concerning the MA/phd program at Korea University: is it practical to try an complete the MA program while working full time (say, 12-5pm)? How are the costs when compared to a distance MA?
I know I have asked a lot. I hope someone can shed some more light on any of these questions. Thanks a bunch  |
I'll try to answer some questions...
1) The 3.5 GPA requirement isn't that strict especially if you have appropiate teaching experience, TESOL certs., etc. Put it all in your application. Worse that can happen is that you could be asked to do an essay so that the university can check your academic ability. I have heard of a couple doing this and I know that was because they didn't have enough experience.
2) The Uni. of Bham is one of the best in the world, discourse analysis, Task-based teaching, corpus linguistics, figerative speech...etc are featured strongly. I might be biased because I got my MA from there  Remember there is a Korea Center too near Seoul to deal with all the admin. stuff and holds summer seminars when the head profs. come over from Bham.
3) Think about what you want to do in the long term. I think if you are certain to stay in Korea for a while then why not get a decent MA. I got a uni. job while I was doing my MA. It's certainly a great plus when applying. If you are going to go to Korea University then get a good MA. I think they (Korea University) would know some of the universities with good reputations out there, especially if they are in that field of study.
4) I think working only 5 hours a day isn't bad at all. I taught 30 hours most weeks when I was starting my MA and it was difficult to focus especially after being burned out on the weekend. Try to set a schedule that won't change (ok, ok I know this is Korea) and stick to it whatever you do.
Hope this helps. |
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lost at sea
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:55 am Post subject: |
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| livinginkorea wrote: |
| lost at sea wrote: |
I have a few questions about the (applied linguistics) MA program at the U of Birmingham as well as some other random questions.
1) How strict is the 3.5 GPA requirement?
-- I understand some people have been accepted with a 3.1 or so GPA, but what are the chances of someone with a 3.0 or 2.9 GPA if they have good references, experience and everything else?
2) Aside from Birmingham, are there any other high end schools (for applied linguistics) that would be respectable and accredited enough to enter nice university jobs and also enter a phd program upon completion of the MA?
-- I don't mind if they are 1 year or 2 year programs, I am looking for the best I can get while being here in Korea. How about the University of Nottingham, or Macquarie University, or the University of New England?
3) Would it be at all worthwhile to study at a low-end one year school and try to enter a university job and also a phd program?
-- I want to enter a phd program, such as the phd program offered at Korea University. I am unsure if a one year masters provided by such a place like USQ would suffice for admissions into their phd program. Any advice here? I assume I should stick to the reputable 2 year distance MAs.
4) Concerning the MA/phd program at Korea University: is it practical to try an complete the MA program while working full time (say, 12-5pm)? How are the costs when compared to a distance MA?
I know I have asked a lot. I hope someone can shed some more light on any of these questions. Thanks a bunch |
I'll try to answer some questions...
1) The 3.5 GPA requirement isn't that strict especially if you have appropiate teaching experience, TESOL certs., etc. Put it all in your application. Worse that can happen is that you could be asked to do an essay so that the university can check your academic ability. I have heard of a couple doing this and I know that was because they didn't have enough experience.
2) The Uni. of Bham is one of the best in the world, discourse analysis, Task-based teaching, corpus linguistics, figerative speech...etc are featured strongly. I might be biased because I got my MA from there Remember there is a Korea Center too near Seoul to deal with all the admin. stuff and holds summer seminars when the head profs. come over from Bham.
3) Think about what you want to do in the long term. I think if you are certain to stay in Korea for a while then why not get a decent MA. I got a uni. job while I was doing my MA. It's certainly a great plus when applying. If you are going to go to Korea University then get a good MA. I think they (Korea University) would know some of the universities with good reputations out there, especially if they are in that field of study.
4) I think working only 5 hours a day isn't bad at all. I taught 30 hours most weeks when I was starting my MA and it was difficult to focus especially after being burned out on the weekend. Try to set a schedule that won't change (ok, ok I know this is Korea) and stick to it whatever you do.
Hope this helps. |
Thanks, I have gotten a lot of helpful information.
I believe I have decided that I will do an online distance ma followed by a phd at KU, or at least that's my plan. I am now just debating between a few distance MAs.
A few questions:
Concerning Bham, how much do the text books cost? I know it's not a simple question because there are many different modules and amounts of texts needed, but hopefully there is a ballpark figure out there.
How does the University of Nottingham compare to Bham? I don't see the difference really, Bham takes a little longer to graduate, but quality is better?
Are there any shorter MA AL programs out there shorter than 2 years that can compare to the quality of Bham or another high end school? |
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Spongebob Squarepants
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Location: You wanna see my caring face?, ROK
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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I think this question over whether Bham or Nottingham's App. Ling. MA is "better" in quality is redundant and inane. Rather, you should examine both carefully and decide whether they offer the particulars you want.
Do you want yearly seminars in Seoul (Bham), or do you want an on-campus summer school every year (Notts).
Are you interested in Corpora and CDA (Bham) or are you into learner autonomy, motivation and literary linguistics (Notts)?
They are both 180 credits (UK system) with a mandatory Thesis component at the end (worth 60 credits).
Bham and Notts are both ranked highly in the UK and world rankings, both are equally accredited (not sure what you meant by "accredited enough").
Do you want a large body of fellow students in Korea (roughly a hundred Bham Ss at any given time), or do you want something different (only 3 Notts students in country, myself included).
How do you want your MA to be 'badged'? Do you want an MA in TESL/TEFL or Translation Studies (Bham), do you want a general MA App. Ling. (both), or do you want an MA in English Studies, Modern English Language, or Literary Linguistics (Notts)?
In terms of the time you invest it will be the same. I am writing my thesis now, but for course modules in either program aim for 10 - 20 hours of study a week.
Both are equally accepted worldwide, in fact many Bham MAs go on to do Phds at Notts and many Notts MAs do their Phds at Bham. As for the Australian universities, I don't have any first hand experience. They seem to be shorter, cheaper (!?), and a little easier, but I feel it's unnecessary to make a broad value statement about their potential worth for further postgraduate work.
I applied to and was accepted to both. But since I started my MA 2 years ago, tuition fees have risen in both Bham and Notts programs (as they tend to do every year), but they are still very affordable compared to paying out-of-state tuition back home (coupled with no earnings) for me. Tuition for either program will set you back anywhere from 5 to 7,000 pounds. In the end for me it came down to the fact that Nottingham was less marketed ("less mainstream") here in Korea and so I would be one of fewer who had a degree from them (pros and cons). |
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lost at sea
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:26 am Post subject: |
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I want my 'badge' to be applied linguistics, and my main interest is in computational linguistics and theoretical linguistics.
I am going to shoot for Bham, and I have almost all of my documents set up. I just need my references to mail the reference to the office in Korea, and then submit my documents and pray my GPA will suffice.
I admit the less mainstream and yet accredited degree does seem to have its own set of perks. I have weighed all of the distance schools and I believe Bham fits me. I just hope I get accepted.
Thanks a lot for the info, and if anyone has anything else they would like to add or comment on it would be greatly appreciated as well. It's great to have a place with many people that have gone through or are going through similar things |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Would you really want to get an MA TESOL in a country where the education system is not highly ranked in the world. With a Korean degree, you could only teach in Korea and a few other countries. If you plan on staying in Korea, then this would be a good option. If you plan on teaching in other countries, this may not be the best option. |
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Thiuda
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Location: Religion ist f�r Sklaven geschaffen, f�r Wesen ohne Geist.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Would you really want to get an MA TESOL in a country where the education system is not highly ranked in the world. With a Korean degree, you could only teach in Korea and a few other countries. If you plan on staying in Korea, then this would be a good option. If you plan on teaching in other countries, this may not be the best option. |
Your post reflects your ignorance and prejudice, not reality. Korean universities are ranked relatively highly, all three of the SKY universities rank in the top 200 of the world. To put that into perspective, that's the top 2% of world universities (200/9000*100=2.2%).
With a Korean degree you can teach in Korea and every other country in the world. If you check the faculty listings at the top US universities, you'll find that there are plenty of faculty members with degrees from Korean universities.
Whether you plan on staying in Korea or moving to other countries to work, an advanced degree from an accredited institution will always give you a leg up on the competition. One should remember that an advanced degree is simply the entrance ticket to certain types of work and that an equal amount of weight, if not more, is given to work and research experience, as well as one's publications record. |
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i_teach_esl
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Location: baebang, asan/cheonan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| hmmm. i called and korea uni told me only 30% of their masters program (i asked specifically about applied linguistics) is taught in english, and that i'd need to be fluent in korean to handle the program.... guess i ought to have a k friend call and check again. |
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Thiuda
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Location: Religion ist f�r Sklaven geschaffen, f�r Wesen ohne Geist.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| i_teach_esl wrote: |
| hmmm. i called and korea uni told me only 30% of their masters program (i asked specifically about applied linguistics) is taught in english, and that i'd need to be fluent in korean to handle the program.... guess i ought to have a k friend call and check again. |
I had the same concern about the PhD program. I was told, by professors and current students, that three classes a semester are offered in English and the remaining classes are taught in Korean. It is possible, I was told, to attend classes taught in Korean, as the textbooks are in English and one can do the work necessary to complete these courses in English. |
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lost at sea
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:32 am Post subject: |
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| Thiuda wrote: |
| i_teach_esl wrote: |
| hmmm. i called and korea uni told me only 30% of their masters program (i asked specifically about applied linguistics) is taught in english, and that i'd need to be fluent in korean to handle the program.... guess i ought to have a k friend call and check again. |
I had the same concern about the PhD program. I was told, by professors and current students, that three classes a semester are offered in English and the remaining classes are taught in Korean. It is possible, I was told, to attend classes taught in Korean, as the textbooks are in English and one can do the work necessary to complete these courses in English. |
Interesting.... keep us all updated on this. I certainly want to know because I plan on entering the program myself eventually.
Another note, I have been talking to the University of Birmingham and it appears the "30 month minimum" completion time isn't exactly truthful. I was told,
"The minimum time in which to compete the Masters is usually 30 months, but it is flexible. If you are unable to meet the deadlines, you can request up to 3 extensions from your tutor, or a leave of absence if necessary. If on the other hand you feel you can work quicker than the allotted 4 months per assignment, you can 'double up' and submit every two months."
After speaking to him further I found it's possible to finish the coursework in 15 months if you really work your bum off. I guess that may or may not turn the table around for people that get put off about spending 2 years to finish an MA instead of 1. |
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HapKi
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Also concerning Birmingham and their distance program, you are able to attend classes at Birmingham with the on-campus students,
and finish Modules 3,4,5 over the months of Dec-March. Of course, this is much more intensive than the usual 4 months per module distance students are used to. |
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seonsengnimble
Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Location: taking a ride on the magic English bus
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| Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm considering going through Birmingam, but I have one major concern. For most phd programs, reference letters are required. How much contact with a professor do you have through the distance program? Would I be able to get a reference after finishing the program? |
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Thiuda
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Location: Religion ist f�r Sklaven geschaffen, f�r Wesen ohne Geist.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 6:57 am Post subject: |
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| seonsengnimble wrote: |
| I'm considering going through Birmingam, but I have one major concern. For most phd programs, reference letters are required. How much contact with a professor do you have through the distance program? Would I be able to get a reference after finishing the program? |
For most PhD programs you'll need two or three reference letters. If you're thinking of doing a PhD, you'll have to do an MA by research. Your thesis supervisor will be one of those references and you'll have plenty of contact with them through e-mail. If you're working at a university in Korea ask a senior academic at your uni, who knows and likes you, to write you a second, professional reference. If you require a third reference, I suggest asking professors at your grad school whose courses you took and in which you received high marks.
Prior to asking for references, download the referee form and see what kind of information the schools you are applying want to know about you. Then write a resume tailored to provide your referee with the information you'd like them to include in their reference. This makes the referees job easier and gives you some input into the reference. Also make sure that you get all your application packages together at the same time, so that you need to ask your referees only once to provide you with references. Asking again and again goes over like a lead balloon.
Hope this helps. |
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i_teach_esl
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Location: baebang, asan/cheonan
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| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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| thiuda, can we get an update? |
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HapKi
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL
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| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I'm considering going through Birmingam, but I have one major concern. For most phd programs, reference letters are required. How much contact with a professor do you have through the distance program? Would I be able to get a reference after finishing the program? |
Yes, I'm sure your dissertation supervisor would give you one. You work with each other one-on-one for the final 6 months of the program.
There is also a good chance that you will form relationships with the BHam professors through the help you seek on your papers, or from the visits to Korea they make every year for seminars, KOTESOL, consultations, etc. |
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stuey11
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: MA in TESOL |
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| Spiky wrote: |
| You could also try Dankook University in Bundang. They have an MA in TESOL that's all taught in English. |
I'm currently doing this course, of anyone wants any info then feel free to post or PM me |
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