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Q: ESL teachers - do you subscribe to TESOL journals/associations?
And, if so, which ones? Any Chinese journals?
I'm looking to join TEFL Asia, and maybe TESOL Quarterly (but both are a bit of a PITA).
Any that you recommend?
I'm looking to do research and publish.
Thx!
7 years 29 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
I receive emails from http://www.teflexpress.co.uk. Nothing special or too interesting.
The teachers that live around here use www.apples4theteacher.com and quizlet.com for most of their lesson plans, but I'm not sure if they have forums, associations or other interactive communication.
Professional organisations were good in the past, but once they became businesses, they went downhill.
Back in the 80's, I was working towards being a CEng with the IMechE. I got my EngTech, then my IEng. I was proud of that. And I was working towards a degree with the OU in the UK.
If I got an honours BSc with the OU, I was on target to be a CEng.
But they changed it to be a Masters. Sure, it was backdated to when you became a member of the institution. That is, your entry requirements were locked in to the date you joined. I kept up my membership as I studied.
Then, they announced that all members had to have an A level in English. WTF, I was already studying degree level Engineering, but now they damanded that I jump on a time machine and do better at school.
While this was going on, I was also going through a divorce. So I did not pay my subs.
A few years later, I contacted the IMechE, and I explained that I was an IEng, could I resume the payment of my subs, with back payment, and call myself SotsAlan IEng.
They said no. They said I now had to have an honours degree to be qualified to be an IEng. A PHD was required for CEng.
I spent 10 years working for my professional qualification of IEng ( Incorporated Engineer). I got it. I let my payment lapse. And then the professional body said I was no longer an IEng. I needed an honours degree to re-apply.
Professional institutions suck
I earned my IEng in old money. Hard work and study. They said an IEng was worth something.
But when the Elite found out that plebs like me were actually quite good at Engineering, they shut the door.
Miss a few payments. Fuck you. Start again. But this time you need to do this.
The whole system was geared towards the rich kids who could afford to study till their early 30's. And then move from study to teaching. Nobody who wanted a professional qualification was actually doing anything. It just become a cycle of education to educator to education. Qualifications being more important than actually doing anything.
Good luck to professional bodies.
I earned my IEng. But I don't have it now because my payment lapsed. And I live in a world where the new CEng folks will probably never set foot in a factory.
Chip on shoulder? Perhaps.
Shining_brow:
Scots, have you ever considered doing research and publishing?
My mate is an acoustics engineer, and he's looking to do research, cos a lot of the data out there is old, and may not be as accurate as the textbooks (and standards) say!
ScotsAlan:
Shining. I have 2 (maybe 3) patents granted. Another 2 applied for. I get paid a quid per patent, per country. The bankers make lots of money from my work. Does a patent count as "being published"?
