ESL Jobs Forum

[someone]

Greetings. I received a CELTA certification last spring but have yet to begin seeking a teaching position abroad. I have no previous teaching experience.
I was looking at an online TEFL masters program and am wondering about the value of that. Obviously there are good reasons to get some teaching experience before considering such a program, but I'm wondering if a masters degree opens up a lot more doors abroad? Also what is the marketablity of the degree in the U.S. in the absence of an Education degree? Thanks for any responses.

[ullimeng]

You are sure to get some responses if you post your cv, and I do believe there are lots of good reasons to be looking at a master's degree. However, experience is always the biggest asset. Have you considered doing a master's degree online while teaching? That way you can also test the waters before committing yourself further. I have just started a teaching job in Korea to get experience. I hold a linguistics diploma from a reputable university which would qualify me for a university teaching position, however, I did find, that eveyone is looking for minimally one yr experience for the good jobs. So that's my strategy, getting experience and hopefully continuing my education at the same time. Good Luck! 8)
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Dig it while it's happening!

[jacek.frytz]

In Poland, with a Master's degree you should be able to get a job in a university position without experience yet, so maybe developing markets are a good place to start once you get your degree, then move onto other better paying markets.

What TESL Masters degrees on line are you looking at?

Jack Frytz

[Kuplungmaster]

[Keith]

I agree with ullimeng here - there's no substitute for experience. Employers will generally look upon you far more favourably if you have a year or two of experience under your belt. The type of Masters you are thinking of certainly can't hurt to add to your CV, but it is a big commitment to make - I would advise getting that first job first to be sure that teaching is for you before embarking on another qualification.

Keith
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Keith Taylor
eslbase.com - TEFL jobs and TEFL courses worldwide

[Thomas Goodnight]

experience...exsmearience...

All 'experience' means is that some bum managed to hold down a job for some given time period...it's no reflection of anything else. I've seen many 'experienced' teachers...some that taught with the book upside down.

What you need to do is have some decent interview skills and be a good judge of character.

experience...exsmearience.

Goodnight

[Lee Hobbs]

[tangail]

There are a number of good reasons of having a good master degree. Experience is also valuable. Both is essential for moving your career up. For good career, you have to be careful in selection of job - career path. Try to apply the best way of writing resume and try to control the whole interview process. have a look into the website www.resumexcel.com

tangail

[onewarmline]

Lee,

Have the results been posted yet? Your message is a little old, from December. Could you post a link when you're ready for the drumroll? I'm looking forward to seeing your result!

[Lee Hobbs]

[languagelearner]

I too am curious about the value of a Master's. I've actually been accepted to a Master's program that will begin this summer but I've suddenly got cold feet and I'm thinking of deferring. The idea of taking on a whopper of a student loan is freaking me out! Obviously a Master's will enhance my teaching skills and increase my employment opportunities. But....is the pay significantly higher??? I've tried to research but have yet to find a consolidated source with straight up facts and numbers. Can anyone comment on this? help!

[sonja]

Hi Guys,
I am currently teaching in South Korea. It is one of the highest paying countries for ESL jobs with lots of benefits. I can tell you that in Sth Korea you can earn more with a Masters and also you are more likely to get the cushy Uni postings with 5months paid annual leave etc. You might not need the knowledge of a masters to be a good esl teacher but it does help get the better jobs.
Sonja

[Lee Hobbs]

[sonja]

Hi Again,
In answer to your question. At a University you have approximately 18 contact hours a week. The work is mostly daytime (some Unis might have night classes). At some Unis you can also elect to work during your paid vacation and get paid (again) for it. On the down side your class numbers are usually larger than at private institutes.
Sonja

[gilda]

Hello,

I suggest that the student studies for a masters but in her own time not for career purpose soley. Don't rush it as it is not necessary and does not make much difference to your career prospects, especially abroad. I have been teaching in Spain and currently in Las Palmas, the Canary Island and my experience been that, most teachers' I have worked alongside have only a TESOL or ESOL certification or Diploma and they got the same salary as myself who is very over-qualified. I have a Bsc Sociology degree, TESOL Dip, NVQ Assessors Award D33, computer Certs, Secretarial Cert and a Cert Ed and I found that once it got round that you are so qualified (which usually surfaced on the second year after the committee board sang your praises the first year at their meetings) the knives come out and the less qualified, stronger aggressive personalities, make life a misery for you. In the end, you are either pushed out or end up assisting the weaker teachers in the daily routine in classroom activities. This can be chotic as all teachers have their own method of teaching, personality clashes, different ways of dealing with the students etc. etc.

A Masters may make a difference in the UK, where qualifications are normally important but, even then, I worked along people who only had the minimum of teaching qualifications, an intensive TESOL or ESOL qualification and the same thing happened. This was in two well known London Colleges.

I studied for a Master in Linguistics at the Institute of Education in London (excellent place to study) but decided to cut it short and come abroad instead of finishing it. I had come to realise that it was not important for my career and I could study it destance learning any where in the world. It was more important for me to see a bit of the world, savour its cultures, languages, people and work at the same time teaching. I think I have learned more about English as a Second Language by travelling and working on the way.

I personally feel I am better equipped now to study for a Masters or a PHD but I still prefer to study it on a distance learning programme or if someone sponsors me alongside a teaching post.

One thing certain is that, I will be studying for a Masters or PHD for me not for progress in my career. With this in mind, if it benefit my career then great, if not I will have achieved my goal in life and this in itself will be very satifying.

Therefore, in a nutshell, get the basic teaching qualification, secure a teaching post at home or abroad and gain experience. When you feel comfortable about your life and where you are going, study a distance learning Masters programme and gain the qualification while doing the practical. Its much easier to achieve and interesting. Some teaching jobs abroad actually assist you with your teaching qualifications but they are few and far between.

If you want any more information about teaching abroad, please do not hesitate to write to me. My email address is:- gildalarkinsealey@hotmail.com

Good luck in your quest.

Kind regards,

Gilda