Looking into language teaching related degrees

[aperantosbias]

Hey degreeforum. New user looking for some insight regarding my possibilities. Here goes:



Your Location: Argentina
Your Age: 32
What kind of degree do you want?:
-Bachelor's
-Ideally: TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language); Linguistics; English; Education. Open to similar/relevant options
-On the quicker/easier side
-Budget is a secondary concern

Current Regional Accredited Credits:

School Name Total Credits: most likely, 0. I passed some classes at an Argentine university. Somewhere between half a year - a year's worth. The degree was in Spanish-to-English translation.

Class Name, Credits, Grade: First-year English and Spanish-related subjects, for the most part. Some history IIRC. I can dig them out if at all relevant. 

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:

Provider Total Credits: 0
Class Name, Credits, Grade: -

Any certifications or military experience?


-Accredited TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
-Certified PESL Instructor (Pronouncing English as a Second Language/Accent Modification)
*Might get a CELTA in the near future (prestigious & widely-recognized Cambridge ESL cert); especially if it could count towards something




Budget: 6-8k or thereabouts would be cool, but I would consider spending more for easy and fast.  
Commitments: I would be working part-time (20 hours or so). Not much else. I plan to spend most of my free time on courses and the like.
Dedicated time to study: A conservative estimate would be 4-5 hours a day every day (28-35 hours a week), though I could and likely would dedicate 50%-100% more study time a lot of days.
Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal. I would like to finish within 1-1.5 years (12-18 months). My previous answer wasn't written in stone.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: -

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-I am not averse to self-study and tests, so I suppose test-out would be a good option. I don't have experience with competency-based qualifications.


-From what I could tell in one of the wikis, a BA in English at TESU is on the cheap/easy side. I find that world more interesting than the UMPI English -Comms and Journalism option, which was also in the cheap/easy category I believe. The wording itself (BA English) is a plus as well.

-That said, as I have mentioned, quick/easy is more of a priority than cheap/easy, all things considered.

-I dont believe (but I'm not sure) I can do cleps from here (not familiar with that territory).

-Same with proctored exams.

-I would prefer not to have group classes, science labs, etc. Self-study, examinations, assignments, etc. are all fair game.

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I'm working as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. I'm currently doing alright for myself, though the industry has become notoriously oversaturated, and it's always good to have things going for you that serious clients and companies tend to value (no surprise there). 

Having a degree(s) in a relevant subject is one of those things. 

ESL is basically like most other industries that are known to pay anywhere between $2 and $70+ an hour. It gets a lot of hate from people who just want to run a google search and be earning $25+ an hour with no degree a week or two later (that bubble popped years ago).

I say this to clarify that I know the value of a BS in Comp Sci or whatever. 

I'm invested in my current line of work and have been for years. It's been a good fit. I like it, I have experience going for me, I'm reasonably good at it, and I'd know what to do with a relevant degree(s).




That's the gist of it, I think. Hopefully, that's a decent enough overview to shed some light on potential schools, degrees, paths, and time frames.



Thanks in advance.

[rachel83az]

1. You can't do CLEPs unless you're near a public testing center. Most of the world is not near a public testing center.
2. Doing proctored exams (for Study.com and similar) is possible, but it depends on your internet speed and computer used. If you cannot take proctored exams, you cannot get a TESU BA in English (or any TESU degree). You must go with a UMPI degree.

If speed is important, UMPI will certainly be your fastest/easiest degree. Unfortunately, you will have to do one lab science for UMPI. With Sophia, it's all relatively easy and online. But, if you really want TESU's BA English, you'll need to find out if it's even a viable option before you start planning extensively for it.

The cheapest/easiest way to test to see if you can do the kind of proctoring that Study.com has would be to sign up for any ASU Universal Learner class that says that it has a final exam. https://ea.asu.edu/courses/ The next group of classes starts in about 2 weeks, so you'd be just in time to sign up. The up-front cost for this would be $25. You would NOT have to pay the final course transcription fee if you don't want to complete the course; you do not even have to complete the course at all. ASM 246 - Human Origins has a final exam, as does CEE 181 - Technological, Social, and Sustainable Systems, and CHM 114 - General Chemistry for Engineers. I don't think any of the self-paced (start immediately) options have the right kind of exam for this experiment.

You do NOT have to pick an ASU course that you actually want to finish. It simply needs to have a final exam. In the first unit, there should be a practice proctoring section to ensure that your computer and internet speed meet minimum requirements. Take the practice proctored "exam" (I think it's a 1-question sample test that says something like "Does this work?") and then immediately unenroll from the course. Your $25 will be refunded as long as it's in the first 10 days of the course being open: https://ea.asu.edu/about/faq/

If the test is successful, you can get a TESU degree. If the test is NOT successful, you will need to get a UMPI degree.

[aperantosbias]

1. You can't do CLEPs unless you're near a public testing center. Most of the world is not near a public testing center.
2. Doing proctored exams (for Study.com and similar) is possible, but it depends on your internet speed and computer used. If you cannot take proctored exams, you cannot get a TESU BA in English (or any TESU degree). You must go with a UMPI degree.

If speed is important, UMPI will certainly be your fastest/easiest degree. Unfortunately, you will have to do one lab science for UMPI. With Sophia, it's all relatively easy and online. But, if you really want TESU's BA English, you'll need to find out if it's even a viable option before you start planning extensively for it.

The cheapest/easiest way to test to see if you can do the kind of proctoring that Study.com has would be to sign up for any ASU Universal Learner class that says that it has a final exam. https://ea.asu.edu/courses/ The next group of classes starts in about 2 weeks, so you'd be just in time to sign up. The up-front cost for this would be $25. You would NOT have to pay the final course transcription fee if you don't want to complete the course; you do not even have to complete the course at all. ASM 246 - Human Origins has a final exam, as does CEE 181 - Technological, Social, and Sustainable Systems, and CHM 114 - General Chemistry for Engineers. I don't think any of the self-paced (start immediately) options have the right kind of exam for this experiment.

You do NOT have to pick an ASU course that you actually want to finish. It simply needs to have a final exam. In the first unit, there should be a practice proctoring section to ensure that your computer and internet speed meet minimum requirements. Take the practice proctored "exam" (I think it's a 1-question sample test that says something like "Does this work?") and then immediately unenroll from the course. Your $25 will be refunded as long as it's in the first 10 days of the course being open: https://ea.asu.edu/about/faq/

If the test is successful, you can get a TESU degree. If the test is NOT successful, you will need to get a UMPI degree.

Very useful and concise, thank you. I figured CLEPs were out. It's good that that's not necessarily an issue.

I'm reasonably confident that my internet speed is up to scratch. I consistently get 90-95mbps upload and download, though I will be checking just in case. I have been teaching online with virtually no issues for years. 

As for my pc, it's an Acer Aspire 5 model (laptop) I bought last year. I have no idea if this information is helpful; I'll probably just do that very convenient ASU trick you mentioned and test it for myself. The timing of that group of Universal Learner classes does seem rather fortunate, given the situation. I might be able to find my way towards an appropriate computer by other means if my pc is a no-go.

Actually, knowing that the (single) lab science is all relatively easy and online with Sophia makes it sound a lot less intimidating. I'll factor that in.

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I took a break from writing this to dig into the UMPI degree a little more (BA English - Professional Communication and Journalism), and it's more up my alley than I thought. It does seem very doable in a reasonably short amount of time, but I wouldn't really know I guess.

UMPI is starting to look like a tantalizing option for me. I will continue looking into it. Any additional information is of course highly appreciated.



edit: from another thread-

"Thanks for the info! I just realized that one of the degree requirements is:

PCJ 396: Field Experience Practicum

And I don't think it wil be possible to do this. I guess there used to be a English degree without the emphasis, but not anymore?"

I noticed this too. Does anyone know if this gets in the way of completing the degree online?

[rachel83az]

It sounds like your computer and internet should be good to go, as far as SDC's proctored exams go. Definitely give it a try just in case, though.

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For UMPI, I think they should offer an alternate credit method if you're completely unable to do the practicum. To be sure, I would contact them at the email address listed on the wiki https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Un...esque_Isle and https://expect.umpi.edu/yourpace/ Let them know that you're interested in the degree, but you don't think you'll be able to complete the practicum due to your location. Don't fill out any contact form or form for "more information" or else you'll never get rid of their hired sales people.

[aperantosbias]

I see- thanks for the update.


Some people seem to find the Prof Comms and Journalism "fast-track" wonky/undesirable. For example:

"There is no regular English degree with YourPace. A lot of the courses require ridiculous out-of-class "projects" in that program. One is running organizations and running actual focus groups for them (good luck finding one, let alone anyone willing to do a focus group for under $50 each). Have to also find outside nonprofits to do complete communication audits of and the final is a recording of you presenting to their top people.
They definitely took on-campus stuff that worked in their small community and tried to plug & play it for grown adults away from them, and it doesn't work. The journalism courses will be long as well, but that's just waiting/getting interviews, not the actual writing process.
IT IS NOT LIKE THE BUSINESS COURSES! The 2 in the major can be done so fast, and will frustrate you seeing everyone else go through their UMPI programs so fast while English is slow-moving. I even took one of the more feared History courses (Cold War Cinema) and did it in 8 days of work. You won't get that done with all but a few in the English courses."

Do you happen to know if this is a faithful representation of the program? No idea how Sophia and SDC play into all of that, but I've seen a few posts like this. 

I also couldn't find a degree path for TESU BA English on the wiki. Hm.

[rachel83az]

That may be a faithful representation of the UMPI degree as it was, but it may change completely in a short period. They're switching over to Brightspace from the Strut learning platform. This means a change up of a lot of classes and may include the English/journalism classes.

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For TESU, you can use https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap and https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan to plan out the degree.

FWIW, you will need to have at least 30 RA or RA-equivalent foreign credits to get a TESU degree. The cheapest way to do this, if you have the time/energy/ is to do a single flat-rate 15-credit term that includes the capstone, cornerstone, 1-3 classes, and 1 or 2 ePacks. The remaining RA-equivalent credits can come from foreign sources. Since you already did a year of study at an Argentinian university, I'd get those credits evaluated ASAP. They should be sufficient for your needs. They might only go into general electives, but it's possible that they might count for the AOS or Additional AOS electives.

[aperantosbias]

Gotcha. Thanks again for your replies, very helpful. Have a great weekend.

[aperantosbias]

Update:

I appear to have overlooked another relevant option: BLS - Educational Studies Minor (UMPI). This fits the bill and made the "easy/cheap" list on the wiki (although fast-ish is my main focus). I've also seen some people recommending getting a double minor in Ed. Studies and Management, which seems pretty efficient/reasonable.

I now know the changes will make it likely that many classes change. Am I right to assume that if I do come to a decision & work out a plan, getting going on Sophia probably wouldn't end up being a complete waste of time? Or is that more or less anyone's guess?

[bjcheung77]

@aperantosbias, Hmm, strange... that was the degree I was going to recommend you... the BLS Education Minor! You can add to your BLS Education minor the certs and other experience you currently have. If you ever wanted to 'upgrade' you can take the Bridge TEFL as that will apply 6 credits into the ACE.edu Masters program, so technically it'll be free as the cost of the 6 credits already exceeds the Bridge TEFL cert.

Recent Post: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid389970
Link 1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...CE-credits
Link 2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ESOL-1-000

[dfrecore]

You absolutely can do the TESU BA in English, and to me, it's a lot more interesting than the UMPI degree, although more expensive.

First, you find out everything you have from your previous school, because this will count as RA credit, which you need.
Second, you do everything you can via Sophia because it's cheap.
Third, you do SDC.
Fourth, you do Coopersmith.
Last, you do your FT/FR 15cr term at TESU, which will include the cornerstone, capstone, and 3 courses (I'd take 2 of them as UL English courses, and the last as a LL English course).

Major coursework:
ENG-201: American Literature Survey: Early America to 1900 (Coopersmith)
ENG-202: American Literature Survey: 1900 to Present (Coopersmith)
ENGL 103: Analyzing & Interpreting Literature (SDC)
ENG 301: Non-Western Literature (SDC)
ENGL 305: Advanced Technical Writing (SDC-UL)
LIT-401: Medieval Hispano-Jewish Poetry (Coopersmith-UL)
LIT-301: The Works of Herman Wouk (Coopersmith)
LIT-302: The Works of Arthur Miller (Coopersmith)
ENGL 101: English Literature (SDC)
ENGL 310: Short Stories (SDC)
BUS 310: Advanced Business Ethics (SDC-UL)
BUS 318: Management Ethics (SDC-UL)
2 add'l LL Humanities courses

For the single TESU term, there are 3 UL Lit and 1 UL English courses that don't overlap with any of the above, and so you can just choose which ones you want to do. You need 6 UL courses total in the major (including Humanities), and 1 will be the capstone; so that leave 5 UL to take. SDC has 2, and Coopersmith has 1, so you need 2 UL.
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UMPI is a good option, but it just won't be "literature" heavy like TESU's will be; just depends on how you feel about that. Their Education minor is one that people say is a lot of work and will take more terms to complete, so keep that in mind as you go through. I feel like an English degree would be much more useful than the education minor personally. And more fun.

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I forgot to mention: ACTFL hasn't renewed their courses yet, but they may, in which case you could get 6cr UL and 6cr LL for the highest score on the OPIc exam ($151) and 6cr UL and 6cr LL for the highest score on the WPT exam ($151). This means that you would only need 1 add'l UL English/Lit course for the degree (you'd still need a certain number of English/Lit courses, you'd just have more flexibility in getting more LL credit).

The courses all expired on 6/30, but they've been around for years (since 2015), so I think they'll be coming back, someone just let the ball drop there.