Second Language Acquisition or Teaching and Curriculum

[tesolin4languages]

I want to start prepping for PhD applications.

I have graduated twice with honors.

BA Intercultural Communication (3.7overall) Florida Atlantic University and MS Teaching and Curriculum ESOL focus University of Rochester (3.9 overall). The latter is a beautiful school!

I speak four languages fluently.

I have not taken the GRE yet.

I don't know what or how I should decide on PhD specializations: Second Language Acquisition (SLA) or Teaching and Curriculum.
One side says that T&C is more broad and allows for more career opportunities; however, if not researching what I'm interested in (SLA) I might become upset.

What do you recommend?
I want to apply to all ivy leagues and hope to get in.
Columbia is the only one that doesn't require the GRE for its EdD. Importantly, I want to research and teach at the same time.

I have been teaching adults for a while, was an EAP adjunct professor at a top rated college in Orlando, FL, have my own ESL online teaching company etc. I have around 4-5 years of solid teaching experience. I also have experience translating for kids, as an ELL language facilitator, where I translate in between four languages.

SLA is what I want the most.
But, I'm in need of advice.
I don't know much of anything, so your advice will be taken seriously and heavily considered.

Thanks
TESOL IN 4 LANGUAGES

 

[Apogeee]

6 minutes ago, tesolin4languages said:

I have not taken the GRE yet.

I don't know what or how I should decide on PhD specializations: Second Language Acquisition (SLA) or Teaching and Curriculum.
One side says that T&C is more broad and allows for more career opportunities; however, if not researching what I'm interested in (SLA) I might become upset.

 

Take the GRE. It's a pain, but it's not really hard. Just annoying and expensive. Also, write to some of the programs where you are interested and make an appointment for a visit. Talk it over with the people you would be working with - visit both types of programs.

[tesolin4languages]

1 minute ago, Agrippina said:

Take the GRE. It's a pain, but it's not really hard. Just annoying and expensive. Also, write to some of the programs where you are interested and make an appointment for a visit. Talk it over with the people you would be working with - visit both types of programs.

Thanks Agrippina

That is great advice and I'll surely visit them. 
But do you have any knowledge on whether SLA is "inferior" to Teaching and Curriculum?
 

[tesolin4languages]

BTW I'm also looking for the "best programs." While I know ivy-league schools aren't necessarily better due to other departments having better rankings, I'd love to have some recommendations

 

Thanks

[Apogeee]

2 hours ago, tesolin4languages said:

But do you have any knowledge on whether SLA is "inferior" to Teaching and Curriculum?
 

I don't think you can call one inferior to another. Is a Pure Math degree inferior to Physics? They are different. A degree in Teaching and Curriculum is good for someone with at least 5 years of teaching experience in public schools. SLA is going to be discussing the nuts and bolts of that theory, which is relatively new. Teaching and Curriculum is going to get you involved with designing and evaluating curriculum and its implementation. And it is possible to find a marriage of the two, if you look carefully. You have about 8 months before you start submitting applications to do a lot of this research. 

[Loryne]

3 hours ago, tesolin4languages said:

BTW I'm also looking for the "best programs." While I know ivy-league schools aren't necessarily better due to other departments having better rankings, I'd love to have some recommendations

I have a former classmate who is in the University of Arizona doctoral program (SLA and Teaching) and highly recommends it. They have a few different tracks within the program, so hopefully you can find that right niche.

[tesolin4languages]

Yes. For example, UPenn also has educational linguistics.
Still, I'm very interested in HGSE because they have you specialize in one of three specialties (don't quote me on that). One of those specialties is "How do we learn" and I'm very interested in that.

Any other opinions? I value all of the previous ones

[tesolin4languages]

Aside from opinions, which I love, do any of you have a RIGOROUS and TOP programs that would marry the two, as you say ? I know University of Arizona is out because I cannot stand UofA due to its weather.
Sorry!

 

I know of: Georgetown,Upenn (good programs) and as well as others that are not as prestigious.
Sorry for being unclear, but I want a PRESTIGIOUS degree and ready to work for it>
Thanks
D

Edited March 17, 2016 by tesolin4languages

[Smartdumbsmart]

I recommend UH Manoa's SLS program. 

http://www.hawaii.edu/sls/