Ok, let's get real here (no Mom, this post is not about Bill Hall). This job is great and has been great for me. I absolutely adore my students and almost everything about living in France. However, its time to look into the future (the future, Conan? Yes, all the way to the Year 2000. Sorry, I love Conan O'Brien) and start thinking about next year...especially since I know that I will, in all likelihood, not be returning to France (insert sad face here).
I am in desperate, desperate need of direction/advice/a reality check/whatever. In the past couple of years (since I graduated. Ok, since I graduated high school), I've been waffling between what, exactly, I want to do with my life. I'm indecisive...deal with it. I loved this idea of being an English assistant, because it gave me some extra time to think about it. Unfortunately, that time is up. I have to stop thinking and start deciding. But, I can't decide. I'm 99% sure that I want to do something in the TESL or French fields. However, I am completely, totally lost as to what that is.
I've recently been leaning towards grad school. I've found some really great TESL Master's programs...but none that would really let me incorporate my French. I don't know, going for only a TESL Master's feels (to me) like I'm completely abandoning my French major and all those years of hard work in high school and college (and all those years of my parents paying my tuition, etc). I love teaching English to foreigners, but I love French too, and don't want to completely give up on it. It would honestly feel like a betrayal.
I've found a program at Colorado State University that seems like a dream. Its a joint Master's program, meaning that I would earn both a Master's in French Lit and Language and TESL. So why am I hesitant? Well, its been 2 years since I've been in school and (let's admit it), my last year wasn't exactly the most challenging. I guess I'm scared that I'll jump into this and get completely overwhelmed by it. Can I really handle two Master's programs? Do I even want to? Am I completely going to lose 3 years of myself, drowning in a sea of schoolwork?
So, dear reader, this is where you come in. I am desperately seeking your guidance. I know that I'm a lot of good adjectives, but I really, really have never been so unsure about my future. So please, any words of advice, reality checks, anything would be appreciated. I'm sending out an SOS!
10 comments:
I don't have any wise or eye-opening comments to share with you. BUT maybe you'll find solace in knowing that I am in a similar position. I have NO clue which direction I want to go with my life after this and that's a scary feeling.
When you figure it out, let me know too. I have a Master's in Linguistics and a Certificate in TESL, but I've always wanted to do a degree in French (but linguistics, not literature) too because I'd much rather teach French instead. But since I'll probably be in France permanently, I highly doubt that's a career option here...
I did almost exactly that, I went to the foreign language education program at the University of Texas. And technically I specialized in French, but I managed to do an English pronunciation class and there were of course methods classes with lots of ESL teachers in them. So it was a really good balance. So I would vote for the TESL/French degree.
Plus, grad school is totally different from undergrad. it's something you've really chosen to do, something you're more interested in (though I did love my undergrad classes, it wasn't the same), and something you can apply your practical experiences to. I loved it and can say that it was the perfect answer when I was in your position (love French, but also enjoy teaching English...). Plus there are lots of different places you can go with it and people you can teach.
That's my 2 cents anyway!
I say go for the double masters program! First, i hope to be in Colorado (hint). But more importantly, it sounds like it encompasses everything you want. Going back to school is hard, and a little bummer, but much easier when you're going for something you really want to work towards. I promise that you haven't lost the ability to write papers and read and read and read!
Not sure if this really helped, but you seemed to count out the first option already :0)
DO WHAT YOU LOVE!!! And if it means going to grad school--so be it! Missy, in MY opinion I think you should go back to school. I don't think you will be overwelmed by any means. Heck, you have challenged yourself by living in Europe for two yearsby yourself, I can't see anything more challenging than that! Honey, I say get your Masters in French and TSEL. The three yeas that you think you will lose, you will definitely benefit from. You will come out ahead...believe me!!!! Missy, you ABSOLUTELY LOVE French and teaching. I can't even imagine you not doing either one. You are TOTALLY fantastic at both! Put yourself up to the challenge and go for it. I know you will succeed. I have faith in anything you put your heart too. remember: DO WHAT YOU LOVE--its your future. And I want you to be happy.
Love and miss you sooooo much.
Mom XXOO
P.S. this is only MY opinion.
I don't have much of anything new to add, except to say that I, too, am in basically the same situation. Except I'm pretty sure I want to teach French (and theatre? that's what my undergrad is in...) so I'm looking at schools that specialize in getting you ready to teach high school French. But, I'm super limited by location for various reasons, which has been more of a challenge than I anticipated. Good luck with your decision-- and feel free to update us on your process here, because I like reading about others' experiences. Makes me feel like I'm not alone!
How do you feel about teaching French? I know it may not exactly seem like it would get you abroad as much as say, teaching English in francophone countries (p.s. have you considered Peace Corps--if you know French your application is fast-tracked--my friend teaches at a lycee in Cameroun through that org), but I think it might actually get you abroad/making more connections abroad than TEFL. Think of all of the study programs profs, or even high school teachers, lead. If you study French as your MA, you'll have multitudes of opportunities francophone-wise that a TEFL doesn't offer...you can get general certification for that through any number of programs for much less commitment/cost than a full on dual-cert MA.
The program in Colo sounds really interesting, too! At least apply!
thanks everyone for your words of wisdom and suggestions! its nice to know i'm not alone in the "post-france freakout."
i also had no idea that so many people read this...so thanks for that too!
It is good to know that not much has changed in the 25 plus years since I was making those decisions! All I can add is don't get too caught up in the decision-making process...often times things work out the way they were meant to be, and you gravitate toward your destiny, sometimes without you even knowing.
With that said, I agree with Kristie on her last post. Missy, somehow I always saw you teaching high school (or middle school French!). Keep in mind, too, that you don't have to do one thing for your entire life. Teach for a while, but keep your mind open to other opportunities. Make changes as you go along. Believe me, all of us over 40 have been in your shoes at one time, and things turned out okay. Well, mostly anyway. LOL Things have a way of working out. That's my advice from your wise old aunt (who still BTW can shop with the best of 'em).
Love u and miss you
wow miss i'm with you and it seems like a lot of others are too. scary! we're the future. so . . . listen to mom!!! it's the best advice!!! i'm going to borrow it since she's like my mom too!
miss ya! bisous!
p.s. i hope you found a way to watch my antonio over there. if not, you missed a good one.
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