I’m happy to share some great news! My journey with the TES Institute has been featured as a testimonial on their official website. 🌟
In my story, I discuss how TES Institute’s Master’s in Education with Pedagogy program, in partnership with the University of East London, has been a game-changer for my professional development. The flexibility of the online learning environment, combined with the high-quality resources and support from the MA team, allowed me to balance my full-time work and studies effectively. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m so proud to share how this opportunity has shaped my teaching practice and future career plans.
If you’d like to read the full testimonial, feel free to check it out here: My TES Institute Testimonial.
Note: I typically post one blog entry every Sunday, but this week has brought an unexpected but exciting update that I just had to share! My TES Institute testimonial has been published, and I couldn’t wait to write about it.
Hello Jasmin!
I am so inspired by your journey of living abroad away from the Philippines, and living in different countries. I am in a similar situation, born in The Philippines but grew up in New Zealand.
I wanted to say your TES institute testimonial was an awesome read. It gave me so much insights into the MA programme that I too, is interested to take it. Like yourself, I am also an Early Childhood teacher, teaching full time in an International School. I have my bachelors in Education and really wanting to hone my career and skills further to develop deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the programme.
I do have a few questions about the MA course if you don’t mind. It will mean so much coming from you.
I have been granted a conditional offer and I really want to accept it. I am just worried about the number of hours needed to study per week as I too have a busy schedule with fulltime work and personal commitments. How many hours of study do you think is acceptable?
Since everything will be online, did you need to attend a class? I know time difference will be a factor as I cannot make or be on their live lectures or tutorials 98% of the time.
Also for the masters certificate, did you receive a physical copy or just an online copy? I would also like to know what the MA certificate has. Does it say The University of East London? TES? Does it say Online?
For now, thats all. But i’m sure I’ll have plenty of questions in my mind when I think about it.
Thank you so much!
Hope everything is good and well.
Kind regards,
Lyndon
Hello Lyndon,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m really glad that my journey and TES Institute testimonial resonated with you and helped you gain more insights into the MA programme. It’s always great to connect with fellow Early Childhood educators who share similar aspirations.
Regarding your questions, the programme is entirely online, which means you have the flexibility to manage your schedule. However, it does require self-discipline. With proper time management, it’s definitely doable, even while working full-time. I’d say it really depends on your dedication and how motivated you are to balance work and study. I found it manageable by setting aside regular hours each week for study, but staying organised and prioritising is important.
Since the programme is online, the courses are flexible in timing. You don’t have to attend live lectures or tutorials. I did not participate in live sessions often due to time zone differences, and that’s perfectly fine. The content is available online, and you can access it at your convenience, so you won’t miss out if you can’t attend live sessions.
As for the MA certificate, it is an official certificate issued by the University of East London. It’s a real degree from a recognised university, not just an online certificate. I haven’t received mine yet, as I studied outside the UK, and sometimes it takes a bit longer to process. However, I’m looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony in January, where I’ll be celebrating the completion of the programme!
With regards to accreditation and details, if you check the TES website further, you’ll find detailed FAQs about the programme, including specifics on the certificate and accreditation. You can also check the University of East London’s online partners, and you’ll see that TES is recognized through those channels as well.
I hope that answers your questions! If you have more, feel free to reach out. I know how it can be when you have so many things running through your mind, so I’m happy to help however I can.
Wishing you all the best as you move forward with your decision. I’m sure the MA will be a great step for your career!
All the best,
Jasmin
Hi Jasmin,
Thanks for your detailed reply.
You’ve got an exciting graduation ahead, well deserved too!
And yes I do have a few more questions I came up with.
As I said before I got a conditional offer and I will need to do an AEL (Accredited experience learning) route because I got my teaching degree outside of the UK, and also have extensive teaching experience, which I will be granted 60 credits if I complete this. Did you also do this?.
Also, what sort of papers or modules is given? Is it predetermined or do we have a choice? I asked because I am also an early years teacher and want to focus my papers relevant to this specialisation. I know on the TES page primary and secondary teachers are also welcome but I’m more interested in the early years papers.
Did you also have to pay for VAT?
I’m not sure how this works so was looking to see if you had more information about this.
That’s all for now!
Please keep us updated on your graduation and experience in the UK!
Many thanks,
Lyndon
Hi Lyndon,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for following along with my journey, it truly means a lot! 😊 Congratulations on your conditional offer; it sounds like an exciting step forward for you.
Yes, I also went through the AEL (Accredited Experience Learning) route since my teaching degree was also obtained outside of the UK. The AEL process is an additional paper where you’ll reflect on your teaching experiences, their impact on your career, and how they’ve contributed to the field of education. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your journey, so I’d encourage you to approach it as a chance to tell your unique story.
Regarding the modules, there are three main ones:
Pedagogy – This includes two smaller “baby theses.”
Culture and Diversity – This involves one larger thesis.
Applied Project – This is the most significant piece, and the earlier modules help you prepare for it.
You’ll receive the module outlines in advance, giving you time to research and get familiar with the material. Weekly lectures cover the content, and each topic builds toward your theses. Since you’re focused on early years education, you can tailor your projects and research topics within the modules to reflect that specialization.
To be honest, I felt pretty overwhelmed at the start. Re-learning concepts, balancing everything, and pushing through doubts was tough, I even got sick at one point! But with time management and discipline, I pulled through, and it was so worth it. Stay positive and don’t be afraid to reach out for support along the way.
For VAT, I believe it’s included in the fees. I just paid the invoice as it was and let the currency conversion handle itself.
Lastly, I can totally relate to your challenges as an early years teacher. My kindergarten operates on an open-concept system, which made it tricky to gather some of the data I needed. (I’ve written a blog post about it if you’re curious! Check it out – https://jazbeyondteaching.com/growth-mindset-on-open-concept-kindergarten/58/) But challenges like these are part of what makes the journey so rewarding.
Wishing you the best as you navigate this process! I’ll definitely keep everyone updated about my graduation and UK experiences. Feel free to reach out with any more questions – happy to help!
Warm regards,
Jasmin