Category Archives: MA TESOL

Should you worry about the elf?

Posted on 11/05/2008 by alexcase

I’ve been reading “English as a Lingua Franca: Attitude and Identity” (hence “the ELF” of the post title) by Jenny Jenkins, and although its a much easier read than that Pseuds Corner book title might make you think, the main … Continue reading →

Posted in English as an International Language/ Lingua Franca, Linguistics, applied linguistics and SLA, MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL, Materials, Teaching methods and methodologies, TEFL qualifications, TEFL villains- Jennifer Jenkins | 2 Comments

The TEFL Civil War Quote of the Day

Posted on 28/03/2008 by alexcase

“even universities do not insist on any proper teaching qualifications but rather MAs and PHds.”

Posted in MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL, Teacher training, Teaching English in Asia, Teaching English in Korea, TEFL, TEFL in the UK, TEFL qualifications | 5 Comments

TEFL metaphor Quote of the day

Posted on 23/03/2008 by alexcase

“In many parts of the world, it’s still the case that anyone who speaks English as a native can get a job teaching the language, despite the efforts of professional organizations like TESOL and university departments of Applied Linguistics. I … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL, TEFL, TEFL qualifications | Leave a comment

English teaching professional?

Posted on 05/02/2008 by alexcase

“A professional is one who emphasizes public service, has high standards of performance, has a broad knowledge of his or her field, and participates in professional conferences and associations.” Quote from The Japanese Police System Today (pg 33), not the … Continue reading →

Posted in English Teaching Professional, MA TESOL, Teaching English in Japan, TEFL, Usingenglish | 6 Comments

Words of the day 11 December 2007

Posted on 10/12/2007 by alexcase

“A dollar a day”

Posted in Linguistics, applied linguistics and SLA, MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL, TEFL qualifications | Leave a comment

When the TEFLbabyboomer generation retires

Posted on 26/11/2007 by alexcase

This story about how the Peace Corps are looking to bring more over 60s back into the classroom really caught my eye today. One reason was that my eye really was caught, seeing as I was pressed up against my … Continue reading →

Posted in MA TESOL, Retirement for TEFL teachers, Teacher training, TEFL | Leave a comment

Do you need teacher training and qualifications before your first TEFL job?

Posted on 06/11/2007 by alexcase

I was a trainer on 4 week certificate in teaching English to adults courses (similar to the Cambridge CELTA) where some of the trainees already had teaching experience before they came on the course, mostly because they had decided it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, MA TESOL, Teacher training, Teaching English Abroad, Teaching English in Turkey, TEFL, TEFL certificate, TEFL qualifications | 2 Comments

MA= My A*se! Super CELTA is it, man!

Posted on 27/08/2007 by alexcase

Hope that headline got your attention, but actually I have nothing to say about the MA today at all… Right, now to talk about the CELTA. I have decided to trust a whole lot of people I have never met … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge Delta, Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, Dave Sperling's ESL Cafe, Linguistics, applied linguistics and SLA, MA TESOL, PGCE in TEFL, Teacher forums, Teacher training, TEFL, TEFL qualifications | Leave a comment

Academic feud au lait

Posted on 23/08/2007 by alexcase

So, my last thread (of five?) on the Rave’s ESL Au Lait Japan forum has been locked and that is that. There was lots of raging passion, some (but much less) civilised debate, a lot of chest beating and territorial pissing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dave Sperling's ESL Cafe, Linguistics, applied linguistics and SLA, MA TESOL, Teacher training, Teaching in Japanese universities, TEFL, TEFL qualifications, TESOL | 1 Comment

To CELTA or not to CELTA?

Posted on 17/08/2007 by alexcase

It’s an often asked question and I’m getting bored of answering it, so here’s absolutely my last word on the matter* To CELTA or not to CELTA?- The “final” word  I have been a trainer on 4 week certificate in … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic writing, Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, links, MA TESOL, Teacher training, Teaching English in Turkey, TEFL, TEFL certificate, TEFL qualifications, TEFL working conditions | 2 Comments