Job prospects for an MA in ELT graduate?
Posted: 01 Jul 2010, 11:05
Hi! I am a qualified Teacher of English as a Foreign Language from Argentina, now living in London. I have been offered a place to study an MA in ELT and Applied Linguistics and I am interested in your views regarding career prospects in London as a foreign MA graduate in this field.
My initial idea was to go back to Argentina and continue my career there, but few weeks ago I learned that my husband’s working contract in London will be extended and I will remain in UK for longer than planned.
Being a non-native speaker of English, I am aware that competition in this field is fierce, and my chances are close to inexistent when considering a position as an EFL Teacher (although I have never applied for a post in London). Thus, I am very pessimistic on the chances that this MA degree will pay off later, if I remain in London. On the other hand, I feel that I’ll regret it if I don’t take the opportunity to study in London.
The international fees, job competition with teachers who are native English speakers and this uncertainty about future job opportunities are main deterrents to my decision whether to begin this course or not. I have always thought that studying is THE way to improve in any profession but I do not want another degree hanging on my wall, just because it looks nice (I have 3 in the field of education).
So I would appreciate if you could enlighten me about job opportunities in London in my situation, after achieving MA level, considering I am from Argentina and have 9 years’ experience teaching English as a Foreign Language to children, teenagers and adults, only in my country.
Should I study this MA or should I invest my money in something else?
I look forward to your comments. They will be truly appreciated.
My initial idea was to go back to Argentina and continue my career there, but few weeks ago I learned that my husband’s working contract in London will be extended and I will remain in UK for longer than planned.
Being a non-native speaker of English, I am aware that competition in this field is fierce, and my chances are close to inexistent when considering a position as an EFL Teacher (although I have never applied for a post in London). Thus, I am very pessimistic on the chances that this MA degree will pay off later, if I remain in London. On the other hand, I feel that I’ll regret it if I don’t take the opportunity to study in London.
The international fees, job competition with teachers who are native English speakers and this uncertainty about future job opportunities are main deterrents to my decision whether to begin this course or not. I have always thought that studying is THE way to improve in any profession but I do not want another degree hanging on my wall, just because it looks nice (I have 3 in the field of education).
So I would appreciate if you could enlighten me about job opportunities in London in my situation, after achieving MA level, considering I am from Argentina and have 9 years’ experience teaching English as a Foreign Language to children, teenagers and adults, only in my country.
Should I study this MA or should I invest my money in something else?
I look forward to your comments. They will be truly appreciated.