Job Discussion Forums

[Yorkshire Ian]

Hi All,

Thanks for stopping by. I have read many posts basically saying that the TEFL/ESOL is a very hard nut to crack in the UK. Since arriving back home and, despite what everybody says I like it here and want to stay, I have been working as a TEFL teacher in Reading.

I am paid quite well (�17/hr) But I want to get on and progress so I have been looking at doing a formal teaching qualification at Thames Valley University (also in Reading)

I have been offered a place on the DTLLS course which is a course in the Lifelong Learning sector, this will lead to QTLS (Which is equivalent to QTS but in the Lifelong Learning sector)

They say that after I will be able to work in Colleges, Prisons and even the Army.

However when looking at the entry requirements for these positions, I find no mention of the qualification I am meant to be doing so I am not sure about the demand once this has finished. I dont want to do two years of study to find that I have a worthless qualification.

Has anybody else looked into this route, ether DTLLS or CTLLS? If so what do you make of it, also if you are a recruiter what qualifications are the most valuable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I have experience of HR as well as Teaching and I am also doing a NLP diploma program.

[Phil_b]

DTLLS is a new qualification (it was introduced in September 2007), which means that no-one can possibly hold it at the moment (I think that's right)

Most colleges will ask for people who have a "recognised teaching qualification" which the DTLLS is or, like this one http://jobs.tes.co.uk/job.aspx?jobId=505488 ask for a CertEd/PGCE and Level 4 ESOL qualification - which is what the DTLLS replaces

I would recommend that you make sure the DTLLS course you take is an ESOL one not a generic one. If you take the generic course it means you will have to do an "Additional Diploma for teaching ESOL in the Lifelong Learning sector"

CTLLS is not suitable for someone who wants to be a main classroom teacher in these contexts.

Bear in mind that you can get jobs before obtaining these qualifications - with the condition that you complete the course within a set period of time. You might find that your employer will pay some or all of your course fees..

[SueH]