M.A. in TESOL- how much experience do you have?

[harrar]

I'm applying for M.A. TESOL programs for Fall 2017. After discussing experience levels with a current ESL teacher and graduate of SIT, I'm a little concerned about my applications. She told me that most of her classmates had taught abroad, and the rest had taught a language in the U.S. I had read on many graduate school websites that prior experience isn't required, but now I'm wondering if most of the spots go to people who have taught anyway. So, if you are a current M.A. student or are applying this year, how much experience do you have and what schools did/will you apply to?

[harrar]

For those who are curious, here is my experience:

• 9th grade Algebra I/Geometry teacher through Americorps since July 2015
• volunteer ESL teacher assistant since June 2016 (observe/assist in adult ESL classes, occasionally working in small groups with students who need a little more help)

Other potentially relevant info:

• B.A. in German from a small, fairly selective private school, 2014
• Major GPA, 3.9, graduated with high honors, Cum Laude
• GRE: 160V, 167Q, 5 AW
• completed an internship at a refugee resettlement agency (I am interested in researching refugee populations as related to SLA)

Where I believe I'm lacking:

• didn't do any formal research in undergrad
• have never taught or lived abroad (have visited 11 countries, but only for vacation)
• no formal language teaching experience

I am hoping to begin a home tutoring program soon, in which I will tutor an individual adult student in ESL at their home once a week. I would like to attend a very high-ranked program, because I hope to get involved in research in the future and potentially pursue a PhD.

[twos1c]

I am finishing up my MA in TESOL at UMKC.  Even though this program is in the school of education, about a third of my peers have no teaching experience.  Much of our curriculum is directed towards pedagogy and we have conducted observations, mock lessons, and have enrolled in a teaching practicum.  So even if you don't have language teaching experience, you will likely have a practicum or internship as part of your program.  Your background is impressive and I can't imagine you facing difficulty finding acceptance into a top program.  To be honest though, I am not aware of a ranking of TESOL programs at the MA level.  If you have your eyes set on a doctorate degree, seek out MA programs that are more research focused.  TESOL can be housed in different academic disciplines, such as the linguistics department, English department, or the school of education.  This can sometimes impact the focus of the program (such as an emphasis on theory and research vs an emphasis on teaching and practice).  

My program was extremely easy to get into; no teaching experience required, no GRE, no LORs (though they are required now), and no essays. They only required a 3.0 GPA and a 200 word personal statement.  Despite these lax admissions standards, I have been very impressed with this program.  It is not a thesis-oriented program, but I do know of some graduates who have gone on to pursue PhDs.        

Best of luck!

[lidya]

HI've already finished my MA TESOL Pre-service at UCL Institute of Education and am still waiting for the result this November. My professional teaching practice was less than 2 years (in fact, I went to be a part-time lecturer straight after my bachelor graduation and lasted for 6 months). However, my nonformal English teaching experience (including volunteering activities) was much longer than that. 

The were 2 TESOL programmes at UCL, first is the programme for the experienced teachers (>2 years of teaching experience), while my programme is for the less experienced teachers, considering my professional teaching practice.  

My MA concerns on theory and research, not on teaching and practice to quote @twos1c, and although this is a new programme (I was in the 2nd cohort), some of my friends there are planning to do their PhD as well.

As a background info, I got GPA 3.42 from and Indonesian university and I wrote a strong personal statement, also I was a sponsored student from Indonesian government.  Hope this helps and all the best!