Francophile1

Actually it is very interesting that you bring this up, since I've had conversations about this with my fellow classmates. Yes, I would say in languages-PhD's are primarily getting prepared for an academic career, however in my program we do have some students who are primarily interested in just writing and publishing. Primarily students in the U.S embark on PhD's as a means to a Job, so this is why most are planning to teach! However I have never heard Professors just refer to a program as a simple preparation to be a Professor.

I am in an MA program now and will be asking for recommendations in another field (teaching fellowship, teaching certification). I was wondering if you guys think it would be wise to get a recommendation from a Professor that I got an incomplete with and then turned in the work and got a good grade? In my department you can get an incomplete and then it is just changed into a grade when you turn in your work. Any thoughts?

actually this sounds like just what I need!

Thanks alot, actually your question made me think! I would say what interests me most is teaching language/ I am very interested in grammar and culture. I guess this means that probably a career in education/ CC o HS would be what would be closest fit for me..maybe

Yes comparative literature might be interesting however languages themselves is what interests me. I wonder what kind of positions people get with a translations studies degree (apart from just being translators).

I have just come across this program and would love to hear from someone as well!

Yes hj2012- that is my point that if I want to teach language it is not exactly necessary to get a PhD. And I am learning that research in lit.is not really where my heart is. Carrot-Flowers- yes a lot of people have advised me against high school because of the disciplining one has to do but you are right some of my most influential people have been teachers in HS. With that said I did go to a private HS so I know there is a big difference!

Hello all, So I am currently in a top 20 MA/PHD program, but have been struggling somewhat. My language skills are not as strong as native speakers and I am trying to determine how to proceed. I am prepared to work as hard as possible in achieving my dreams and results, however more and more I am contemplating multiple ideas for the future, and need some guidance. While I enjoy learning about literature-my heart is really set on teaching language and culture. I will finish the MA portion of my Degree soon and want to transfer to a different PhD program or decide what to do next. My questions are the following: 1. If My dream job really involves teaching language, rather than literature, what would be your advice, pursue the PhD degree and then look for jobs in community colleges or schools that need language teachers, or end it at an MA, and possibly get into either CC teaching or independent High schools? I am really not that fond of high schools because of all the disciplining and babysitting teachers usually do, but I believe that working in independent schools or private schools would be a totally different experience. 2. Another option is to switch to Comparative Literature (I am in one language program now), and pursue my strengths in other languages (in which I have native fluency), but in this case I am not sure I would be able to get a "language" job later, as I have heard that Comparative Lit people are generally employed in more interdisciplinary roles. 3. Last option is to go to The Country of the Language, and improve my skills before going onto a PhD in the language. My passion is truly the language and I want to be as good as possible in it. However this option Again as I said I have an undergrad. degree in the Language, have studied in the country a bit but am still somewhere at an advanced low level. I do not want to give up this dream! Any advice is appreciated.

That is great that you have that! We don't seem to have anything of this nature:(

Thanks Eigen! Yes I am trying to resort to advisors and writing centers (for next fall), but unfortunately my advisor was not very helpful in the past. I am not sure how other programs teach undegraduates in foreign language (my degree was in foreign language), but we pretty much did not have to write research papers as detailed as I have to do now, so I have come across even form problems as far as the construction goes. I am also wondering whether MA degrees are different? MA without the PhD attached to it, are they more guided usually?

I would like to express my opinion and concern about the graduate system and see if anybody has any input I have posted previously here regarding grades and other issues but lately the more I think about everything the more agitated I become with the system itself. So hear me out! I have found that in the last year alone our department has not provided us with any particular feedback or help regarding writing research papers or big assignments and it seems it takes a swim or sink approach. Perhaps it is way easier for people with MA degrees to adjust but those students who come straight from BA are expected to also know how to conduct research from the get go and no first year help is provided. I am not sure if this is the way all PhD's work in the US but I find it quiet frustrating! I am not referring here to actually someone holding your hand and writing a big writing assignment for you but at least offering some kind of support in regards to this matter. This is especially crucial when the only assignment we are graded on is a final paper. Maybe there is someone out there who can contribute to my frustration or add their stories how they have gotten better in academic writing. I really want to avoid learning from my mistakes after the fact. SO what's the approach? Perhaps submitting a rough draft before final (even if it isn't required)? When one does not do research papers as an undergraduate (more just shorter papers), and there is no particular training or help available (as part of a PhD program) what can be done? If any first year PhD students were in a similar position please share!

Yes I understand that teaching experience is the main problem, but what about if I have already gotten an MA from a US university and student taught 2 years...would that be viewed more favorably?

Hello all, I would like to ask what prospects one would have with a PhD from Uk in Literature. I am contemplating whether to do my graduate studies there, but since getting an academic job is difficult as is, and getting sponsored in the UK might be difficult I want to first find out whether a PhD from the UK is viewed differently in the US market? I assume that a PhD from such prestigious institutions as Oxford and Cambridge would be fine but what about other highly regarded institutions which might not be that well known in the US?

Hello, and welcome. First off let me give you some advice regarding PhD's and foreign languages in general. The field is extremely competitive and you will find that any reputable (top 20 Phd) program will require for you to have excellent language skills, as you will have to write research papers, much more complex than in any undergraduate class. When I entered my program I discovered this quickly, you will also have to take classes, most likely with students who have already gotten their MA's (as many PhD programs accept many students who have already completed an MA). Some of them probably will also German natives. Also many PhD programs will require you to teach language classes as part of the PhD funding. So, I would advise for you to really think about your level in the language, whether you need more guided training that a separate MA would give or whether you are ready for the PhD. Ina PhD program more is expected of you and although you do get better funding it will be much more difficult. I would advise for you to take a break between undergrad and graduate school and to research the programs well. You should look at the faculty and only apply to the schools where you can find a professor or two who conduct research in your field of interest. You should check with U of Colorado, they might require a Master's for entry into their PhD program. As far as Canada is concerned- you should think about whether it would be easy to get a position in the US after a PhD from Canada, I know I am looking into this question regarding other countries and it can be quiet tricky. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to write- as I said I am very knowledgeable in the application process.

How bad are incompletes? If you finish the work in time and it is changed to a grade...does it still have a negative connotation..with the professor..or just overall? Please advise

Many UK universities accept US loans and they list this on their sites.

Thanks! yes in this case I definitely need to do the MA-taught first. I realize that I might not get funding this is why I will be applying to US universities as well

Well actually I have been set on applying to US only schools, but lately I have been thinking about applying to 1-2 UK ones as well. Reasons: 1.) I am interested in studying British Literature 2.) I want to apply to a diverse amount of programs, and getting into a Phd or MA in the UK might seem easier 3.) I realize that I might not be able to be financed fully, this is why I will be applying to programs in the US as well 4. Would love the opportunity to live in europe again

You need to have a very good command of language. You will be asked to write extensive research papers. If you are not so used to doing this I would advise an MA program first. If you go straight to a PhD the expectations will be much higher.

Thanks alot- I will look into stylistics!

Thanks so much that helps alot! Vivian- still another question, still can't get quiet a grip on the whole MA taught vs. MA research degree. Here in the US, let's say if I want to go from a foreign language into english lit or comp lit it is very possible to do. I assume this is because even if you apply and get into a PhD they still make you take classes. So as I understand, it would be wiser for me to go into an MA first in the UK. BUt still not sure exactly which MA is more suitable taught or research. If I will not have direct research in english lit after my MA from the US, and I want to go to an English PhD later, is it advisable to go with the taught MA?

Hello, I am possibly looking into doing a PhD in the UK next year. I was wondering if maybe anyone knows any of these factors: 1. As part of a PhD program there do students teach or they simply dedicate their time to research 2. If I will receive an MA in a foreign language, could I still apply to an english or comparative lit based PhD or should I first aim for the MA level. 3. What is exactly the difference between their MA-taught, and MA-research? If anyone can answer any of these questions I would appreciate it very much.

Thank you all! Just to mention a few things. First of all I am in foreign languages so most of the writing is done in another language. Secondly, I have found that we do not get direct indications as to how exactly to construct the research paper, maybe due to the fact that our classes are combined with PhD students (who obviously know much more about this). And we do not have many graded assignments during the semester so basically the seminar paper is our grade. Again I don't know how differently this will be looked at if I apply to an english PhD, send in a strong writing sample, but obviously will have some B's in my foreign language MA. I am probably going to start to ask professors if I can send in a draft before submitting a final paper.

Yes that's what I thought. In fact I am struggling between choosing literature or linguistics. I always loved languages but as I understand linguistics is really more of a scientific approach that teaches about languages- is that correct? I love languages more than literature itself but a.) I am unsure if I would really want to go for another MA, which most likely would not be funded and b.) I would really like to utilize my language knowledge- I speak 5. ALso on another note: I have been researching MA's and it seems the only linguistic related MA degrees I could find center either on applied linguistics or TESOL. SO if one wants to study for example Syntax, is this done at the PhD level? Anyway I really need to decide this soon, whether I should get another MA and then maybe PhD in Linguistics or go the Lit. route. If anyone can suggest any questions I should be asking myself in order to make this decision, please list here!

yes I already looked at that but wanted people's input, relevant to what they are studying now