Korean Job Discussion Forums

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Don't worry, I'll be doing searches and posting what I can, but wanted to get started by asking the Dave's community.

My CT is looking into EFL programs in the U.S, and has asked me to help her. Specifically, she is looking for a guide to schools, so I figured I would ask peeps on here about their North American MA experiences in EFL.

Any and all information would be helpful. Thanks!

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

the MA TESOL program that I'm doing in the states is pretty good. We do a lot of work with linguistics and methodologies and there are tons of observations and research papers but very few finals.

I hear the MA in TESOL at most universities is more general and less hands on when it comes to practical experience. Those programs are easier to find than actual master programs in TESOL but I think they're probably just as good.

California is a really good place for this kind of course.

silver_butterfly · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Location: South Korea

I'm looking into doing an MA in TESOL and Applied Lingusitics....I love all aspects of these subject apart from GRAMMAR. Does anyone know of a good MA course where grammar isn't the main focus or a necessity to take with the MA?
Also, some say you can study the MA online. I think I would rather do it in country and part time somewhere like Australia while still teaching English, but of course I'd be financially better off if I stayed in Korea and studied part time online. I'm not sure which would be better? Any advice from experience/recommended institutions much appreciated Smile

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

My CT gave me a list of schools that offer credits for her TEFL certificate, and also don't require GRE scores. When I heard about the GRE deal, that made me a bit suspect about the reasoning behind it, but does anyone have an explanation why you wouldn't need to take the GRE?

1. Univ. of Oregon (suprisingly this school offers 15 credit for her TEFL cert. from Hanyuk Univ. --> That's alot, isn't it?!?!)
2. NYU
3. Temple Univ.
4. Univ. of PA
5. East Washington Univ.
6. Iowa State
7. SUNY Potsdam
8. SUNY Buffalo
9. San Fran. State Uni.
10. California State univ. @ Hayward

I can't read the Korean on the sheet, so I'm suspecting all these schools have TEFL/TESOL programs; is there a standard for program ranking?

Where are you taking your courses?

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: EFL/ESL MA programs

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

There are very few MA programs in the U.S. that don't require the GRE for a degree. A lot of Asian students sign up for TOEFL courses at U.S. universities that offer certificates in teaching English. That would be why they don't require the GRE. If she wants to actually get a degree she would need to take the GRE at pretty much most schools.

I do know of a few universities that don't require the GRE for an MA TESOL however there is a reason for that. At some of them it is difficult to graduate on time because of scheduling issues with the classes (lot's of people taking the classes needed), and some require students to keep a B or B+ average in order to stay in the program.

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: EFL/ESL MA programs

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Woland · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: Seoul

Many universities do not require a GRE score for non-native speakers because the test is not normed for them and they are at a significant disadvantage in taking it. Ones that do are often flexible about the scores for this population.

It sounds like your CT took the Hanyang-Oregon certificate program. Oregon offers 15 credits from it because it vets the faculty and the courses offered. The program allows Koreans to get a feel for what an American style program would be like while saving their money. At the other end, Oregon can see how people did in the program and reduce the risk of accepting people who will struggle in their program. A good deal for everyone involved.

Many teaching MAs are not so heavily research-oriented; they are more practical than a PhD. There may not be a thesis requirement (replaced by a project or portfolio; a pure coursework MA remains rare in the US). So, the questions of who to work with are less significant, unless one is planning to go on for a PhD.

If I were to name the best programs in applied linguistics in the US, I would start with Hawaii - Manoa, Northern Arizona, and Monterrey Institute. American University in DC has a program that is strongly focused on preparing non-native teachers. But that doesn't mean that any of them are right for your CT. Other very strong programs include Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, Illinois-Chicago, San Francisco State, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Indiana, Georgetown, Teachers College Columbia, UCLA, Utah, BYU, SIT... I could go on with places where I know one person who is particularly strong in one or another area. There are surprises out there - Northeastern Illinois and Oklahoma City have strong faculties, which people may not expect.

I think your CT needs to think a bit about whether she wants a program that is focused on teaching or preparation for the PhD, one that has a special opportunities for focusing on young learners or older ones, etc. Shop around; write to people and ask them about the program. I know Gergana Vitanova (we have mutual friends; our work is quite different, so we aren't good friends, but we chat when we see each other). She's a brilliant worker in the sociocultural theory, but if you aren't into that, it might be a tough slog taking courses with her. Shop around. But don't worry too much at the MA level; the programs differ, but are to some extent more generic than PhD programs.

Go to aaal.org; they have a list there of programs in applied linguistics in the US and Canada (Just looked; they've pared it down from what it used to be, but still useful).

How to put this? I'm well-connected in this world. If the OP's CT wants some more specific help, contact me through PM. I will be traveling over the next month and may not have access every day, but will answer questions eventually.

EDIT: Fixed typos.

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Thanks so much for the info everybody, and I've finally had some time to get going on finding info.

Woland, you were correct about the Hanyang-Oregon TESOL cert., and here's the link for anyone interested in the program. Also, the list of schools I posted are part of a collaboration between Hanyang University, University of Oregon, and all the others.

http://tesol.hanyang.ac.kr/

jeonjugirl · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

I earned an M.A. in TESL/TEFL onsite in summers since I came to Korea. It was from St Michael's College, Vermont. There are always some Koreans registered in the program and some Native Speakers who've taught or are currently teaching in Korea. At least 2 of the profs in the program have also taught in Korea. I know they do allow some credits to be transferred, and allow some courses to be done online.

If you want a list of schools in the U.S. or Canada which offer M.A. degrees in TESL/TEFL, TESOL Inc. publishes a book every 3 years with a complete list (I have the 2005-2007 book - I guess a new one will come out soon for 2008-2010, as I saw a discounted rate for the 2005-2007 book in TESOL Inc's catalogue.).

I just looked it up, and here's the link http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=600&DID=1838 TESOL members get it for 19.95, but others have to pay 39.95. It lists all the schools, and describes their programs.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.