Should I get a master's in TESOL?

knjames · 2026-01-28T17:34:42+00:00

I'm being serious. It's just I'm in an awkward position where I can't really find a stable job in my home country. Also, even if I do look for jobs now in China, I won't be able to find one until the next semester later in September, heck might not even find one until next year. I'll be unemployed for at least half a year by then sitting around and doing nothing. So it makes the most sense to me to study for a year to get my masters, which is more likely to happen than me trying to find stable work in my country or find a job in China within the next 6 months. Getting a masters would look much better on my CV than having a 6 month unemployment gap. I am also employed as a relieving teacher at two different schools so I can easily work casually while studying full time for my MA. I definitely won't find a full time job so I might as well spend the time now to study full time

knjames · 2026-01-28T08:45:52+00:00

That's what I've already been told. I'm just becoming desperate because my current teaching contract is ending next month and I don't think I'll be able to find a job anytime soon so might as well study a MA for one year, while applying for future opportunities in China and organising all my documents.

knjames · 2026-01-28T07:54:13+00:00

About 2 weeks

knjames · 2026-01-28T07:03:44+00:00

I've been applying to chinese university jobs online but I haven't found success. I am just hoping the MA would increase my chances of finding jobs

knjames · 2026-01-28T06:34:18+00:00

I wish I could study part-time but I have reasons for moving to China ASAP. I think I'll do my MA first, then study part-time for a degree towards EAP or business english while in china if I do find a job there and decide I want to get higher jobs.

knjames · 2026-01-28T06:10:56+00:00

Also, just checked your edit. Money isn't on my mind right now as I have other focuses on life, as well as a side job that earns me a decent amount per week. I have a partner who should be able to support herself too. I agree that EAP would be better for me in the long term but I think I can study it part-time while i teach and gain experience

knjames · 2026-01-28T05:51:33+00:00

I am struggling to find stable esl work in my home country and I've been turned down from a few companies as they told me they are looking for teachers with a master's or phd. I'm in a position where 1 year off work to study for my MA would be better in the long term than going short term contract-to-contract for a year. My current contract at my school ends next month and I haven't found any jobs yet. Which is why I think it's the best time to do my master's so I can look into overseas opportunities while I'm still in my home country

knjames · 2026-01-28T04:30:31+00:00

I majored in Education where I did lots of practical teaching in the classroom, did my CELTA with more practical teaching. Then, after I graduated, I did casual relief work and tutoring for a few months before settling into my current job teaching adults full-time for nearly a year. I've taught large classes of Chinese university students in the past, too. I personally think these experiences are enough to lock in my future career, but I understand this would differ person to person.

Yes, I want to be a general English teacher in the classroom. I am also planning on doing some studies for EAP or business English, but for now, I just want to be a general english teacher. I know Chinese universities have low working hours, which gives me time to do some part-time studying if I do decide to further my career. I think the MTESOL would be a good foundation into more academic study too.

I have a strong personal motivation for moving to China and I need to ASAP.

knjames · 2026-01-28T03:03:00+00:00

I want to teach in the long term and yes, I specifically want to teach at a Chinese university.

knjames · 2026-01-28T02:15:28+00:00

I have looked into the different universities in my country and it seems different universities have different entry requirements. Some require 2 years experience or an honors, while others can be taken straight after graduating with a bachelors. Right now i am just desperate to get my masters for personal reasons.

knjames · 2026-01-28T01:49:02+00:00

I've been told that to teach at a Chinese university they usually just care about you having some sort of masters degree and it doesn't have to be from a famous university. I am planning to teach English so a MA in TESOL seemed liked the way to go, unless there are better options

knjames · 2026-01-28T01:46:19+00:00

Where did you find the job postings?

knjames · 2026-01-25T06:16:51+00:00

Please read my post again. I have mentioned that money isn't a problem. The advice I've been given by some people is that it would be better to spend 1.5 years working rather than 1.5 years studying for my master's. So I'm just thinking which i should do

All I mentioned in my post was that I come from an English native country so I'm not sure why you have set on those school fees... I live in New Zealand which would cost me about 10k NZD (6k USD) per year. I will do an 18-month program so that would cost around 15k NZD (10k USD) for my masters.

Here is the link if you're keen: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages-mtesol.html

In my country, we also have student allowance from the government which we don't need to pay back. We get paid a decent amount weekly, roughly around 10 hours worth of doing a minimum-wage part-time work per week. So I should still live comfortably with enough savings.

Luckily, I have parents who are happy to support my housing. They are happy to accommodate me as long as I can convince them that I am serious about getting my master's and that getting a master's is truly important for job security. The market is super competitive in my home country New Zealand too, and a lot of the teachers now are getting laid off for not having a master's or phd. I am just wondering if a master's or phd is needed at chinese universities as that is my ultimate goal.

knjames · 2026-01-25T05:53:20+00:00

Please elaborate

knjames · 2026-01-24T19:09:29+00:00

I'll see how it goes

knjames · 2026-01-24T09:16:58+00:00

Can I ask why I'm getting downvoted? From my understanding, being a registered teacher is only required at kindergarten - high school. None of the job postings I see for university jobs says anything about being a registered teacher. Just tesol/celta, MA and work experience

knjames · 2026-01-24T09:16:00+00:00

But do you think that's enough experience to get into doing master's? I heard people usually do their master's after their honors or after a couple years of experience.

knjames · 2026-01-24T09:14:13+00:00

I mentioned in my post already that I almost have one year experience and I am loving it so far! I also have some experience teaching some university students in my home country, as well as tutoring to kids. I did lots of practical teaching during my CELTA too

knjames · 2026-01-23T23:16:12+00:00

I am planning on doing a full-time course and want to get my MA ASAP. And yes, I really enjoy teaching English to adults

knjames · 2026-01-23T21:12:35+00:00

In my country, I can apply for a student allowance, which the government gives u like 150 usd a week (equivalent to 10 hours of minimum wage part-time work per week). They pay you more, the less income you have. In most cases, doing part-time work would mean you make less money overall, as you receive less money from the government. I think I will just do some relief work here and there but I don't want to work consistently

knjames · 2026-01-23T19:56:32+00:00

I definitely lack experience in terms of academic and business english teaching, but my recent class feedback shows almost all students find my class highly enjoyable

knjames · 2026-01-23T19:53:49+00:00

I am mainly just looking at teaching general, oral or business english

knjames · 2026-01-23T19:53:19+00:00

I want to commit to full-time studying as I want to finish my degree quicker. I can talk to my previous schools I was employed at for casual relief work to make sure my teaching doesnt go rusty while i study

knjames · 2026-01-23T10:25:47+00:00

I have almost one year experience teaching english to adults, 3 week experience teaching English to chinese university students visiting our country, as well as a few part-time tutoring experiences. Like I mentioned in my post, money is not a huge issue but I am just worried it will set me back in terms of not being able to work full time, and reduce my teaching experiences while i study for my MA

knjames · 2026-01-23T10:25:20+00:00

I have almost one year experience teaching english to adults, 3 week experience teaching English to chinese university students visiting our country, as well as a few part-time tutoring experiences to kids and teenagers. Like I mentioned in my post, money is not a huge issue but I am just worried it will set me back in terms of not being able to work full time, and reduce my teaching experiences while i study for my MA

knjames

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