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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| but most of all, you mention special ed. Have you spent time working in this field? Have you volunteered in an after-school program or done a work exploration program? If you have, great, if not, I encourage you to do something before enrolling in the program. It's not what a lot of people think it is. |
If the OP's primary goal is to teach in non-Anglophone countries, I think this is a dead end. I recall an experienced special ed teacher a few years back trying to land a job in 'my' region. Her search was absolutely fruitless as no one felt that special ed for German/Dutch/Belgian/Czech/Slovak/Hungarian special ed kids could logically be conducted in English.
I think special ed is limited to the native language of the students in almost all cases (of course there may be some exceptions, but I seriously doubt this is a wide market niche). |
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nellychess
Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 187
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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As for the credibility of the Texas Teachers program, I believe they certify more teachers than any other organization of its kind in the US. I found out about it at a party. I met 4 working teachers who came from the program. 2 were from other states that moved here to become teachers faster than they could in their home states.
Great advice about loving your subject matter. That's why I can't teach Math or Science. I have worked with many students teaching tennis who were very special needs, and I'm sure beyond the type of students I will be dealing with in the classroom.
I guess my main concern is that I, after a few years here, have experience, and credentials that can get me into an international school, or a University somewhere if possible. I'd like to separate myself somehow from the masses, especially since I will be older. I am 44 now.
Could I be an elementary school teacher here, and get work in an international high school, or middle school? The Texas Teachers program advised me to get my general k-6 with an ESL, Special Ed supplements. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Special Ed really doesn't translate internationally unless you speak the local language well. They don't usually require Special ED students to learn a second language.....
General K-6 with ESL is ok, but pretty vanilla and won't make you pop out much over other candidates. It's likely to work only for international schools at K-6 level in places where lots of teachers are needed (Asia, maybe).
General K-6 and special ED is DEFINITELY not going to get you university gigs anywhere!!!
The advice you are receiving from the Texas thing is geared for the US domestic market. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Nellychess:
Your BA in Sociology coupled with a related teaching license and a year or two of US experience would qualify you to teach social studies abroad to near and native English-speaking kids in IB or American curriculum international schools (and possibly, US DoDEA schools). My sister and I attended such a school when our military family was stationed in Taiwan for year and there wasn't a DoDEA school in the area. Our teachers were licensed/certified, and our American education was continued without any hiccups to our grade levels.
In addition to the special education add-on, think about a qualification in physical education as well, given your years of experience as a professional tennis coach. It's not unusual for a content teacher to double as a PE teacher or coach.
Just my 2-cents' worth. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
Special Ed really doesn't translate internationally unless you speak the local language well. They don't usually require Special ED students to learn a second language.....
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This is quite true.
There is very little TESOL research in regard to special ed (it is both a medical and social construct that doesn't translate). Families with disabled children often avoid living abroad. Like me!
In my Canadian K-12, our students with IPPs (IEP is the USA) generally don't attend French classes. They are "pulled" for extra English studies, literacy, and whatever else. That's not just severe disabilities, but even minor learning disorders. I have a few that go to French class, but they are an exception. |
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nellychess
Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 187
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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Here is a list of the certifications I can get. I can get multiple as well. I just have to pass the test for each area, and pay $120 for each test. I was told that they are phasing out the ESL Generalist, and that I should only get the supplemental with something else. I suppose I am looking for the best option for getting work in Texas, and then internationally. I like working with young, and older kids. My skills, and talents are more geared towards connecting with kids, being patient, explaining things well, managing groups, and so on. I'm afraid that HS subjects may require too much subject knowledge. I would rather teach basics. If I taught older kids, or adults internationally, I think I would only be interested in teaching ESL, and in fact not ENGLISH in an international school.
I hope that doesn't make me sound lazy, but essentially I want an easy subject matter to teach.
Agricultural Science and Technology (Grades 6-12)
American Sign Language (Grades EC-12)
Art (Grades EC-12)
Bilingual Education Supplemental-Spanish (Grades EC-12)
Bilingual Education Supplemental-Vietnamese (Grades EC-12)
Bilingual Generalist-Mandarin Chinese (Grades 4-
Bilingual Generalist-Spanish (Grades 4-
Bilingual Generalist-Spanish (Grades EC-6)
Business Education (Grades 6-12)
Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
Computer Science (Grades 8-12)
Core Subjects (EC-6)
Core Subjects (4-
Dance (Grades 8-12)
English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 4-
English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12)
English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies (Grades 4-
English as a Second Language Generalist (Grades 4-
English as a Second Language Generalist (Grades EC-6)
English as a Second Language Supplemental (Grades EC-12)
Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades 6-12)
Generalist (Grades 4-
Generalist (Grades EC-4)
Generalist (Grades EC-6)
Health (Grades EC-12)
Health Science Technology Education (Grades 8-12)
History (Grades 7-12)
Hospitality, Nutrition and Food Sciences (Grades 8-12)
Journalism (Grades 7-12)
Languages Other Than English - Arabic (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - French (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - German (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Japanese (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Latin (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Mandarin Chinese (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Russian (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Spanish (Grades EC-12)
Languages Other Than English - Vietnamese (Grades EC-12)
Life Sciences (Grades 8-12)
Marketing Education (Grades 8-12)
Mathematics (Grades 4-
Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
Mathematics/Science (Grades 4-
Music (Grades EC-12)
Physical Education (Grades EC-12)
Physical Science/Mathematics/Engineering (Grades 6-12)
Physical Science (Grades 6-12)
Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
Science (Grades 4-
Science (Grades 7-12)
Social Studies (Grades 4-
Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
Special Education (Grades EC-12)
Speech (Grades 7-12)
Technology Applications (Grades 8-12)
Technology Applications (Grades EC-12)
Technology Education (Grades 6-12)
Theatre (Grades EC-12)
Trade and Industrial Education (Grades 6-12) |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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| nellychess wrote: |
I suppose I am looking for the best option for getting work in Texas, and then internationally.
I'm afraid that HS subjects may require too much subject knowledge. I would rather teach basics. If I taught older kids, or adults internationally, I think I would only be interested in teaching ESL, and in fact not ENGLISH in an international school.
I hope that doesn't make me sound lazy, but essentially I want an easy subject matter to teach. |
Then your challenge will be finding jobs abroad and in Texas that accept ESL teachers whose degrees aren't related to ESL (e.g., your BA in Sociology). Keep in mind that teachers with BAs and MAs in Education, English, Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Education, and TESL will also be applying for those positions. So obviously, the "best" option is for you to pursue an ESOL-related degree.
I suggest you start by checking out actual job ads locally and in your target countries to see what employers require and let that guide you in terms of what you need. Otherwise, you could end up with qualifications that limit you and were a waste of money. You might also take a look at "ESL vs. bilingual education: Is there a difference?" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=110926). Lastly, strongly consider joining your local TESOL affiliate; they can be an invaluable resource in terms of guidance, professional development, network, and jobs. In fact, that's something you should do immediately because they'd be more familiar with your area and the requirements.
Hmm... ESL is easy to teach?  In US schools, it entails teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening in context. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:21 am Post subject: |
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| nellychess wrote: |
| I think I would only be interested in teaching ESL, and in fact not ENGLISH in an international school. |
This has come up several times before, and there is little demand for certified ESL teachers in genuine English language international schools. Those schools cater for children who are native or near native English speakers. Their English classes will be content classes, as they would in an English speaking country.
For the small number of children at those schools who do require English support, it is often provided by non-certified EAL teachers. They are classed as support staff rather than teachers, which makes them much cheaper to hire, as they don't usually don't the perks that the other international teachers get. There is little benefit to the school paying full international rates for a certified EAL teacher when they can hire a non-certified EAL support worker for a fraction of the cost.
The main exception is non-English international schools. For example, French schools may hire certified teachers to teach English as an additional language. However, aside from being a fairly small market, those schools also commonly want at least some proficiency in their primary language.
Have a look through the international school job adverts and see what kinds of teachers are being recruited. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:33 am Post subject: |
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Ditto that, HLJHLJ, which was my earlier point. Not surprising, I took social studies at the American international school I attended in Taiwan --- I was about 10 years old. The only non-licensed classroom teacher was a Taiwanese national who taught our Chinese classes. Those students who required a bit of tutoring support with their English language skills tended to have one non-native speaking parent, while others simply needed to improve their English writing skills. That was the case for one of my classmates whose mother was German and her stepfather American.
Anyway, the OP can go back to my initial post where I mentioned several recruiting/employment sites that primarily list international school jobs worldwide. |
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nellychess
Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 187
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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I think I am going to get the K-6 General with a supplemental ESL and Special Ed.
Hopefully when I am ready to go internationally somewhere, I will have the credentials and experience to find work, and have options.
I think that would be very marketable here, and as someone else said, make sure you do something you like. I don't think I would like teaching one subject all day, every day, and I am great with elementary aged kids.
Any ideas after 2 years or so what kind of options I would have?
I would love to work in Asia, S America, or Europe.
Thanks for all the help everyone. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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Any ideas after 2 years or so what kind of options I would have?
I would love to work in Asia, S America, or Europe. |
Unfortunately not much in Europe, assuming you are a US citizen. You'd be eligible for legal working status in Central/Eastern Europe, but most entry-level positions there are teaching adults, so your K-6 won't help. There are some opportunities in private 'international' schools, but the pay is quite low. Openings at real international schools are fairly rare, though you might get lucky, of course.
I think either Asia or S. America will offer more. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| nellychess wrote: |
| Any ideas after 2 years or so what kind of options I would have? I would love to work in Asia, S America, or Europe. |
Once again, check out the websites you've already been referred to:
| nomad soul wrote: |
| Since your focus is on teaching content rather than ESOL, I suggest you look at sites dedicated to teaching in international schools. (Start with a search on international school forum). For job sites, there's Teach Away, Seek Teachers, Footprints, and The International Educator, which will give you an idea of qualifications. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 12:36 am Post subject: |
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| I can't believe anyone can pass an exam and teach special ed right after, regardless of prior degree. Is that for real? |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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