Language Degree, TESOL and other concerns

I was initially just going to VM someone asking their opinion about this, but I hope a thread can help me get a more balanced view.

I'm aspiring to study something centred around languages at university (I'd start September 2017), however for the past few days my mind has just imploded with all the possible degrees I could do centred around it.

What I do know:
-German is to be the main language
-I would prefer a degree with two languages or possibly three.
-I would like to go into TEFL/TESOL straight after university, or potentially enter A PGCE (OR PGCFE)... uncertain.
-If I had more money in the future, I'd considering studying in Austria or Germany [though this is astoundingly unlikely so yeah].
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I know there are degrees for German & TESOL joint honours, but I'm not sure how I feel about that... I don't think it would be enough value for money (CELTA is around £1000 iirc? vs tuition fees..).

I'm just too confuseddddd, can anyone recommend what would seem like a reasonable thing to do in my situation? I am definitely leaning more towards doing a 2 languages (or being absurd and doing three) degree, but the TEFL is important to me also and I'd like to do it straight after uni.

Then again, if I had the money for accommodation, to study in Germany would be astonishing, but I don't know what I would study.

Jeez this was a long post I'm sorry, can anyone give me any clear direction...

Tagging 2 people who..might...be able to help me D:

You could do a degree in German with a second foreign language ab initio - there's lots different combinations possible. Then, you could combine a PGCE and TEFL qualification.

Yeah I do intend to do German with another 1/2 (also possible) languages ab initio, and I think I'm learning more towards that than other options.

I don't think you can do PGCE and TEFL in one go though? ...well if I could study it alongside I would but it'd be insanely pressuring, so I'd have to delay it until after a PGCE.

snip

I think one of the big advantages of doing a languages degree is that you get to study cultural topics, history, literature, politics etc and develop a real understanding of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken. However you don't really get this on three language degrees, you just learn the language and arguably you don't become as proficient as you would if you focused on just one or two languages.

TEFL/TESOL is something you can do in your spare time either at university or after you graduate. I don't think you should limit your options by just choosing degrees with TESOL in the degree title, especially as you don't need TEFL/TESOL/CELTA to teach English abroad anyway.

Apart from German what other language do you want to learn? Are you just interested in languages or would you like to study another subject too? Personally I rather like UCL's Language and Culture BA because you study two (or sometimes three) languages from an absolutely huge range of options, but you also specialise in either history, literature, film studies, history of art or linguistics.

Apologies for any mistakes as im typing on mobile.

This is gonna sound quite weird, but i dont enjoy the cultural side of languages so much. Which is what arguabky swayed me towards joint degrees, as most likely less cultural models. I dont detest it, but its not my favourite thing to look at.

Though i undeestand how it might affect proficiency

What would you say is the best routebafterwards to go into TEFL? There is so much conflicting information online about whether CELTA is required etc that I just get confused

Russian is most likely the other language id like to study, and the only other joint degreees that appeal to me woukd be German and Philosophy (depending on how A2 goes) or German and linguistics (but id need to look more into that).

I just really have a strong desire to end up with at least 2 foreign languages by the time uni is over. I do know some unis offer language xourses to their students outside of their degrees which is something else to consider i guess.

What sort of jobs are you talking about? You can easily go to places like Korea or Thailand and teach English for a few years after graduating, you don't need a TEFL qualification (although it helps), but the pay is poor and it isn't a proper career. If you want to teach abroad in proper international schools then you need a PGCE / QTS.

I would prefer to do the former, but more focused on doing it in European countries as opposed to Asian. Hence my concern as i would expect standards are tougher in Europe.

Its not something i see as 'for the rest of my life' thing but something to do for a short while after uni.

X

Hijacking the thread since it's not worth starting another topic.

What's your opinion on this course? (on mobile - link at the bottom) Based on what you'd said in this thread I'm interested to see what you, or anyone else thinks about this course, since it includes the TESOL certificate as a part of the degree, and doesn't seem like a major part of the degree. Would this be a waste of money in your opinion?

http://www.shu.ac.uk/prospectus/course/1230/


Posted from TSR Mobile

I wouldn't say it was waste of time, I had a quick glance at the course structure and it has some nice elements, the 18 month spent abroad for example! But I think you should research TESOL careers before doing it - would a TESOL on its own be enough to establish a proper career in teaching? Probably not.

If the degree interests you then sure go for it, but go in with your eyes open. I'll copy in @DeceitfulDove, I think she did TEFL at uni, hopefully when she next logs on she can give you more information.

Am I right in thinking I could just get a PCGE seperately later on in life? And I'm assuming/hoping a degree in languages is a good thing to have anyway regardless of the TESOL aspect of the course.