Future TESOL Teacher Advice Needed!

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tmayer4

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I am currently undergraduate student planning to graduate in the spring of 2012 with my BA in Elementary Education with an endorsement in ESL. Lately, I have been taking a look into Columbia University’s Teachers College and the MA degree in TESOL that they offer. The total cost of my degree would ultimately cost anywhere between $65,000-$82,000. I have been told that once you have a MA in TESOL finding high paying jobs overseas is very easy. My question is, is this a realistic statement? I would love to have a MA before I start teaching and coming from a more prestigious university, I would think that finding a high-paying job would not be that difficult. Does anyone know if your salary increases based on University and/or BA vs. MA? Salary wise, would it be more beneficial to have your MA in TESOL rather than just a BA in Elem. Ed. (ESL Endorsed), and if so, by how much? I am just concerned that I will end up with more debt than I am going to be able to pay off. I would love to attend Columbia’s Teachers College, but it is important to me that I find a job where my annual salary is at least 70-80% of my total loan debt (65,000-82,000) and I’m not sure that if that is realistic or not. Any advise/experience/comments would be greatly appreciated! J Thank you.
 

Tdol

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An MA will give you access to jobs in places like universities, where it is usually a requirement. These jobs do tend to be better paid and more comfortable than many regular teaching positions. Some places pay more for staff with a Master's, but many will not- the main advantage to me is university and other specialist positions that you can get. There are many schools where you would be paid the same as someone without it- that really depends on the place and the value they give to the degree.
 

KeepUpRichard

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In my experience I've found that teachers in regular and private schools (not universities) will almost always get paid the same regardless of what kind of degree you have. My degree is in mass media design and marketing and I've got a teaching management position. I am in China and I have a comfortable living. Obviously, this could be different in other countries and the kind of position you're going for (like what Tdol said about universities is true as well).

Here your skill and experience are taken into account. Also....where you are from can affect your salary (sad to say).
 

5jj

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I would love to attend Columbia’s Teachers College, but it is important to me that I find a job where my annual salary is at least 70-80% of my total loan debt (65,000-82,000) and I’m not sure that if that is realistic or not.
I do not think that there are many beginning teachers, even with an MA from Columbia, who manage to find jobs in TESOL paying $45,000 - $65,000 in their first year.
 
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