will a linguistics degree suffice?

[scarfie]

Hi all, just a newbie passing through.

Im currently in my last year of a double degree in marketing and linguistics at Otago university New Zealand. I was wondering if my linguistics degree would be sufficient qualification or will i need to supplement my CV with one of the recognized industry courses?

My degree has covered syntax, phonology and 2nd language acquisition including a 12 week teaching practicum.

i am worried that employers may not recognize my degree as linguistics is quite a small department at otago.

thanks for any help you can supply.

[Alex Case]

Does the teaching practicum mean you had observed and graded teaching practice?

[scarfie]

yes 9 weeks of observed and video recorded lessons, about 27-31 hours.

[Alex Case]

If that means at least some lessons were pass or fail, sounds perfect and in fact much better than a four week TEFL course. Some DoSs tend to mistrust pre-experience MAs (perhaps because many don't have graded teaching practice) or simply lazily scan CVs for the magic word "CELTA", so make sure you explain in detail how your qualification is more than equivalent as near to the top of your CV as you can.

[kaithegreene]

Hi,
I agree with Alex about the assessed teaching practice.
The other point to consider is whether the qualification you have will be acceptable to the immigration department of the country you are going to work in.
I would imagine a degree in linguistics should be - but I'm absolutely not an immigration expert!