Job Discussion Forums

ebooktrial0001 · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 156

Hi Everyone,

I was curious as to what backgrounds, certification process, etc. is needed from each country and the best strategy to get it.

1. I know in the US, each state has a certification coursework, followed by some paper and pencil exams, followed by some observed teaching.

However, it varies from state to state.

The best strategy to become a teacher in the US is to get one in a tough state (like California) and get reciprocity if needed.

2. For the UK, I believe it's nine months of coursework.

3. What about the rest of the countries, like Australia, South Africa, etc.?

Thanks

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Complete a B.Ed and be accepted to the provincial teacher's college (governing body for teachers, not a training facility)
or
complete a post grad certification in education at your local uni and get accepted to the provincial teacher's college.

eg:
https://www.bcteacherregulation.ca/Teacher/BecomingATeacherOverview.aspx

.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:39 am Post subject:

What's a westernized country, as used in the thread title?

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 10:37 am Post subject:

Westernization is a cultural process, though. Not a description of geographical location. Japanese businessmen wear European suits, not traditional garb, and so are described as 'westernized'.

esl_prof · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 12:13 pm Post subject:

Clearly the OP meant western not westernized. Though, as Suphan pointed out, even that term is a bit misleading as "western" countries are not always found in the west.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

We refer to western European countries as 'western' and degrees from their universities as 'western'. Shocked

I also don't understand certification in this context. Does the OP mean 'teaching licensure'?? His/her examples of US and UK don't seem related to ESL/EFL.

ebooktrial0001 · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 156

Pardon me, perhaps I was misleading.

I meant, I'd seriously like to consider get certified and look for general programs. Even though I'm American, if I want to teach abroad, programs meant for those in the UK, Australia, etc. might work just as well.

However, I'd like to see a comparative perspective. Could you guys give me insight?

1. What certification process does the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand or any "gold standard" country use?

2. How long do they take, where to apply, etc.?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Are you talking licensure for content teachers???
Or ESL/EFL certification?

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

esl_prof · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:38 pm Post subject:

Jultime · Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 113 Location: Mexico

[quote="kpjf"]

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The UK has no unitary system
NI
Scotland
Wales and
England

have separate paths to teacher certification

Teaching in mainstream secondary schools is very stressful. Many teachers leave after a few years.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

If the OP is looking for a cheap, easy, "quick fix" leading to teacher licensure then the US is the best bet.
There are numerous programs and the one from Florida (teacher ready) or Teach-now are probably the easiest.

In both cases they take about 9 months and cost US$6k.

Gaining licensure varies by country and indeed from region to region within a country.

You will however find many things in common:

Those in the US usually have something like the PRAXIS tests that you need to complete but some of the other requirements are usually easier or they may forgo the practicum component.

.