Job Discussion Forums

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

To all of you more experienced and knowledgeable folk here on Dave's, I just want to seek some advice and/or suggestions with regard to this post's subject:
In a nutshell, I am a relative newbie in my second year teaching but I have recently decided that I want to stick at it for the foreseeable future. So, what are the best options for me to better my teaching credentials? I know obtaining a teaching license from my home country is the best way into the better international school job, but besides this?

About me:
Mid-30s
BSc.
Many years of experience in industry (inc. Research/Training/Technical/Management)
Instructor skills certifications
TESOL (i-i 120hr)
2 years teaching Science in China (Primary)

Location/Goal:
Currently in China and would like to stay here for another year or two.
In the future I would like to teach in SE Asia and possibly Japan.
Considering the above, how strong are my teaching credentials at the moment? What is a logical next step in your opinion?

(I would like to continue to teach Science (at primary level), preferably at an International school. Will the fact that I don't have a teaching license from my home country rule me out for a lot of these positions in SEA and beyond?)

Any advice / feedback would be much appreciated.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

A one year, post grad, professional teaching certificate is obviously the way to move up if you want to stay in mainstream classrooms.
An MA-Teaching / M.Ed will also work well.

An MATESOL, M.ED TEFL, (or related) will get you a foot on the ladder to the tertiary sector. They will also give you options beyond teaching "English" such as "teaching 'Teaching English as a Foreign Language", all of the applied linguistics topics, etc. It will also open the door into research, publications and presentations.

Alternatively, a CELTA/DELTA will put you on track for work in the private education sector (language centers). This will take, depending on the time you have available, about 6 months to complete.

.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

suphanburi, thank you for the very informative response Smile

Either way I need to think long and hard about my next step. Going back to get full home country teaching registration is not a viable option for me at the moment.

I have considered the CELTA/DELTA but opinion seems divided as to it's true value. Would this investment be worthwhile in your opinion, considering I have no plan to work in private education (language mills) and would ideally like to continue to teach Science?

Thanks again, much appreciated!

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

suphanburi, thank you again,
I have read some of the objective advice that you have given others on here also and you really are a mind of information.

I will not be getting home country licensure. The archaic rule highlighted in bold below being the main reason btw.

Primary teachers

Primary school teachers must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged 4 to 12 years. To qualify as a primary school teacher, you must have completed one of the following:
•A recognised full-time degree programme, leading to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree
•A recognised Professional Masters in Education (Primary)
A list of recognised colleges providing approved programmes is available on the website of the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Irish language requirements: Primary school teachers must be able to teach the Irish language and the range of primary school subjects through Irish

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Archaic" ? It is there for a good reason.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

I get your point Scot, it's just personal frustration.
I do not meet entry requirements due to the fact that I didn't do higher level Irish for my leaving cert exam 20 years ago (when I had no interest in teaching at the time)!
If I really wanted to, I could go and get a Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge to satisfy the required but that won't be happening. I will take a different route Smile

In the heat of the moment · Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy

A suggestion; go to the Middle East and save money for two or three years, then do an MA in TESOL or other in a good university in the UK and then look at your options overseas.

Hang on, what's stopping you doing a PGCE or equivalent in a country other than the ROI?