Teaching jobs are available all over the world and on the Internet for teachers who want to help others learn the English language. Most of these positions require that a teacher have a Bachelor’s degree in some subject and a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language. So, what is the point in earning a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages?
Higher Salary
Teachers with a Master’s in TESOL can earn higher salaries overseas and in the United States. They have more training in the theories behind second language acquisition as well as practical classroom training. They likely have more supervised teaching experience that has helped them hone their teaching skills.
Teach in the U.S.
Having a Master’s in TESOL can open up many more doors to teaching English as a second language in the United States. Educational requirements are stricter for teachers of English in the States. To work at the community college or university level with aspiring college students in the U.S., it is often necessary to have a Master’s degree in TESOL or a linguistics-related field.
Program Management
Teachers with Master’s degrees in TESOL can go on to become ESL program coordinators or supervisors more easily than teachers with only a certificate. If a teacher is ready to move to the next level in their careers, having a Master’s degree can help propel them upward to the ranks of administration without having to work for years to gain the necessary experience and knowledge to head an ESL program or supervise other ESL teachers.
Online
A Master’s degree in TESOL can be earned completely online, making it one of the easier Master’s degrees to get as far as ease of access is concerned. Working adults with Bachelor’s degrees can more easily take advantage of graduate education by earning their Master’s degree in TESOL on the Internet. This can be advantageous to both current ESL teachers and to those who want to change careers.
On a personal level, teachers with Master’s degrees can feel more confident in their abilities to explain complex grammatical structures or pronunciation rules. They can better prepare lesson plans and answer students’ detailed questions about the English language. In general, they are more equipped and can feel more confident that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective English teacher to student both abroad and in the United States.
Having a Master’s degree in TESOL is not the only way to get a good ESL job. It definitely helps, however. More and better job opportunities are available to teachers with higher education and training. This is true of jobs available both in the United States and in other countries.
