Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alistaircandlin]

First of all, my apologies: I know this question has been posted before but the search facility is not so good here, and I can't find the old thread.

I want to ask those of you with either of the above qualifications - what is the benefit of each?

I'm considering doing an M.Ed. in TESOL with a British University, probably Birmingham. I noticed though, that Liverpool University specify that their TESOL Master's course is only for teachers with less than two year's experience. They recommend that more experienced teachers should do the Applied Linguistics course instead.

This implies that, at Liverpool at least, the Applied Linguistics course goes to a deeper level and the TESOL course aims to develop the skills of new teachers. I am looking for a course with a strong practical application; I don't want to get into something that knots you up in theories with no benefits for your own teaching practice. My initial thought is that the TESOL is what I'm looking for, but the Liverpool website made me think twice:

http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught_courses/tesol_ma.htm

I'm not even sure what an Applied Linguistics course would involve, so perhaps someone could outline the sort of areas you focused on.

Finally, I already have a Master's in English Lit.. Do you think that that doing an MA TESOL is actually necessary, would it be beneficial in terms of career progression? I know the answer is largely based on my own goals, but I'm just exploring possibilities at the moment and would welcome your opinions.

My other option is focusing on writing professionally, and aiming to eventually teach writing at Uni. level. I've pretty much decided I don't want to take Literature any further academically: I find that Literary Theory just takes you into increasingly abtruse realms that are relevant to only a few obscure academics. After a lifetime spent reading, then being disillusioned with the way University Literature programmes spoil one's pleasure of books by their insistence n viewing everything through political or theoretical frameworks, I've finally read a book that explains why: I prefer to read as a writer; I'm more interested in the rhythms, words and sentences than any kind of feminist, deconstructive, post-colonialist, marxist or shmarxist bunk.

[Xylox]

From the research that I've done, I think applied linguistics opens more doors in the middle east, if your interested in heading down there.

[livinginkorea]

I am a tutor and former student of Birmingham (Bham). I went the TESOL route back in 2006. I suggest you think about where you hope to end up in a few years time. If you hope to go the research road then Applied Linguistics would be apt whereas TESOL would be more helpful for teaching or to go into teacher education. To be honest, sometimes I regret not going down the Applied Linguistics road but I do prefer the practical side of teaching and it seems my TESOL students do to. Applied Linguistics can be very theoretical sometimes and not everyone can do it, although there is a nice bunch of assignment questions (4,000 words for you to write) to choose from for each module. In my experience the TESOL students use a lot more experimental methods and conduct research in their classrooms or with their students, obtaining �real results� to support their arguments. In contrast, the Applied Linguistics students take a more debate style with little to no classroom applications to their writing with he said / she said to support their arguments (naturally depending on the topic and question). I am over-generalizing of course but it is generally accepted that Applied Linguistics is considered more theoretical and academic. It depends on the style of student you are.

Both TESOL and Applied Linguistics have Written Discourse Analysis and Lexis which would be good for you since you have a MA in English Litt. and would have good knowledge about some of the core concepts already.

The next 'batch' of students starts in April 2011 and you have to apply 8 weeks in advance. You still have some time left to look around and decide.

Let me know if you have any questions. Best of luck!

[alistaircandlin]

Thanks to you both for your replies.

Livinginkorea: without meaning to pry, what would you say the benefits have been, for you and for your students, in terms of pay, improving your practice and career progression?

[liveinkorea316]

MA TESOL and MA Applied Linguistics are essentially the same thing.

[olsanairbase]

Applied Linguistics is considered a more in-depth MA than a MA in TESOL.

That comparison is like an EdD to a PhD. EdD is more hands-on and doesn't involve complex statistical classes to earn whereas the PhD does.


Also, if you do go on to get Doctoral Degree a PhD in Applied Linguistics will open alot more doors in terms of teaching opportunities at least in the states.

[livinginkorea]

[Whistleblower]

I would recommend students to apply and do the MA route before the hike in tuition fees in 2012. It is expected that British Universities will charge around 9000 quid a year for undergraduate degrees. Not sure what the fees will be like for post-graduate courses.

[zappadelta]

[CtotheB]

Are there any online courses in MA TESOL that can be done from Korea? I'm a little confused as to whether or not you have to be there or if some can be done purely online.