Korean Job Discussion Forums

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

I've been mired in the bog that is trying to figure out what grad program to pursue and which school to go to. I see it advertised that schools, especially Universities are looking for Masters in English, Education or TESOL, but which is best?

Pros and cons anyone? How about specific schools and programs that people think are really worthwhile?

My ultimate goal is to either become a tenured professor or a hagwon owner.

conbon78 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008

Based on what you want to do in the future, it would be better to focus on TESOL. More jobs and more focused on teaching ESL.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

School administrators in the US often go the MA in general education route...I have my MA in English, and have been told that if I want to be a principal in the US I should go back and add an MA in education....

MA in TESOL would probably make you a better ESL teacher, or at least better at evaluating/designing/implementing programs....

It all depends on your 10-15 year plan...teaching in Korea, teaching ESL in general, or going back to a home country and working within a system there...?

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

Well, I'm likely going to stay in Korea, but the possibility of coming back to the States will always exist. I don't really want to plan on that, though.

The most important consideration is that I would like the flexibility of being able to work for a University or perhaps a foreign school, teaching something other than ESL.

So one hand, TESOL is hot now, and a degree in that would help me become a great teacher. On the other hand, I don't want to be pigeon-holed as only being able to teach ESL.

A straight up English degree would give me some flexibility, but might take away the edge that a TESOL degree might give me.

A General Education degree would prepare me to teach... generals? Stupid joke. No, it would be good for K-12 stuff, but probably not for Uni level.

An English Education degree would provide some flexibility, I think. I could teach English in a native speaking country, or ESL... but would it also limit me to K-12?

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

Am I wrong to be considering flexibility to be so important when choosing a master's? It is such a huge time and financial commitment that I want to make sure it's the perfect program.

I want to play the field and see which one I like best before I specialize BUT I don't want to wait two or three more years before I start the two or three year long process of getting a master's degree!

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

I did an M'Ed in Language and Literacy and then focused my papers and research on L2 reading and writing practices. I think for many degrees you can choose your focus when writing papers or doing thesis work.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

And that degree has worked well for you? It impresses the right people? Did you enjoy the coursework and find it useful? What school did you get it from?

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

Zappa, you mentioned on another of my threads that you got your degree online while in Korea, right? And I read in the "rate my qualifications" thread that you are working at a top 3 Uni? Ok..., so basically I want to be you. Tell me everything. Smile

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

I got mine through Deakin University in Australia...by distance.

I don't know if people are 'impressed' with the degree...but it did get me a job at a top ten uni....well top ten one year and then top 15 year the next year.

I did learn a lot about teaching writing and reading...and it has served me well...made me a much better teacher and started my interest in writing centers and peer editing.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

I personally got a lot out of my Theatre BA from a small state school in Maine. I learned many valuable lessons on life, love and the pursuit of happiness, as well as theatre, English, history, math, etc. However, it has failed to open up the doors a better degree from a better school would have. I won't make the same mistake twice. I want a school and a program that will advance my life. Name recognition is SO important in Korea. I want to be sure I've got a good name behind me for that first impression when getting my foot in the door. Anything in this vein of degrees will be interesting to me, and as long as it is also interesting to the people in charge of hiring, I'll be all right.

Thanks for the advice, though! I am definitely looking into Indiana and Missouri. Which campus in Indiana was your degree from specifically? I tried going to the site but I couldn't find any real info on the general Indiana page.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Hi, Bloomington campus, website of my program is here:
http://education.indiana.edu/Default.aspx?alias=education.indiana.edu/langed

It's in the education school. The Indiana education program is much higher ranked than Missouri, though I've heard good things about that program as well. The good thing about Indiana is that it has a lot of connections/relations to Korea. It has a big Korean population, and many Korean professors in Korea did their PhD work there. This is key.

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

I like key. Key is good. I am highly considering the program on your endorsement. I will research it more. Thanks.

Kang-aji · Joined: 06 Apr 2010

I'm not finding a Literacy and Language Education degree. There are a few that are close to that. Do you mind checking what the actual name of it is?