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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 4:51 am Post subject: Best MA TESOL Programs |
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I saw this on the international board. Thought I'd bring this thread over here.
I'm also looking at programs in the U.S. Feel free to discuss your country.
And I'm not talking about distance programs. |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Best MA TESOL Programs |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
I saw this on the international board. Thought I'd bring this thread over here.
I'm also looking at programs in the U.S. Feel free to discuss your country.
And I'm not talking about distance programs. |
Matt,
There really is no 'best,' though you are right in not wanting a distance program.
Choosing a grad school is more like choosing your friends....you've really want to 'click' with your profs, ESPECIALLY if you are on the thesis track (intending on doing research and headed to the doctoral level).
The faculty will make or break you in getting into a Ph.D program as well make the time at school much more enjoyable if tey've the same interests. You should note the faculty (assume you'll be on a thesis track, find three (the usual number for your committee) that have the same interests as you. What did they study, publish, how current is their work?
Also, some schools (program) are 'mandated' (or strongly encouraged) to publish X amount of articles/books annually. This will be a strong factor if you are research oriented.
Funding, well, just go on the univ. web-sites to find out about funding. For example, Florida would most assuredly have better funding in the TESOL departments than say, Indiana (for obvious reasons, I think). Don't forget, it may be more important to work under a certain professor over a university....'course, depends on your interests. Krashen (though I believe HIGHLY overrated), for example, is well known, though his department may not be.
You need to find out if a program has mentoring. A lot of schools have no real face to face interaction (student/prof), and not a lot of guidance. Most schools have a list of current and past students. I was able to contact the department and get some emails (if not already posted on the web-site), and ask about their opinions of the professors and classes. There are some professors that have their grad. students do all their research, or at minimum, append their name to the students' published work (see Krashen).
On reputation, well, that's tricky. Be sure to separate the program's rep. from the univ. rep. What I mean is that my wife was looking into going to UCF, and it's known by the student body as U Can't Finish (noting that courses are not offerred with much regularity), but the department that she looked into does not suffer from such a problem. Perusing the academic catalog will answer such questions.
If you want to do a thesis, you may need to find out if the department will allow you to do a paper that is multidisciplinary, in nature. Some don't. Of course, this will only make a difference if your research interests lies in such a place (mine didn't, but my wife's did).
Interships and placement is also important. Luckily, my university has two English language institutes on campus, so finding a job was not difficult. It proves to be invaluable when doing my research. Also, note if the programs will aid in finding you subjects for studies. Internships (or the professors' gofer <you know, go for this, go for that>) will also help in so many ways that I don't have to time to get into now. You'll have to ask the director of the department to ask how many positions are offered each semester, and the requirements. My wife's program has them work 20 hours a week for $10 an hour. Not much, but then again, you aren't going to school to make money (during the study year).
TESOL programs are unfortunately few and far between (in comparison to gen. ed. programs), so we have fewer choices when trying to find small classes (more one on one).
Also, several universities have some courses totally on-line. That means that you can enroll on-line and take courses as a non-degree seeking student (and cross fingers you get in, or don't take over 6 credits so you can transfer in those courses to other univs.). Then come back Stateside to finish up your remaining classes.
Like I said at first, there really is no 'best' program, but for SURE there are inherently better programs, and methods of instruction.
After reading this, you've still more questions, PM with more detailed questions.
!Shoosh
Ryst |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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Oh yeah, you may also want to find a program that is located in a larger city, or at least located in an area with a non-English population of considerable size. Some univ. offer free language classes for the public so that their students can practice teaching and conduct research.
!shoosh
Ryst |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Posters are more than welcome to advertise their own experiences, doesn't have to be just the U.S. |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| matthews_world wrote: |
| Posters are more than welcome to advertise their own experiences, doesn't have to be just the U.S. |
I guess my previous posts didn't help you.
What exactly are you looking for?
I am not sure if I explained it before, but it really depends on YOU, not others. Example? Well, my experience at my univ. is great, but that's because I've received a lot of attention and interest from the professors, and I do a lot of one on one work with them. They only reserve such projects for certain students/situations, so if you came to my univ. (with some 96 TESOL grad. students) chances are you wouldn't have to same reception, nor outside benefits (network and jobs).
Again, what one's experience at a grad. program most assuredly will differ from another's.
!Sh
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