Job Discussion Forums

[In the heat of the moment]

I've just discovered this is a thing, and so far it seems it's online so I can continue working, it doesn't qualify you to work in schools in the UK, US, Oz, NZ or Canada, but can be very useful for entrance into international schools worldwide.

Currently I'm in an okay TEFL gig in the ME, but salaries are stagnant and the place (the ME) is a bit of a dump. I could do a 'real' PGCE but the overall cost - lost wages, housing, utilities - make this a very expensive option, plus I'd have to give up my present job. And I don't want to teach in the UK anyway.

[slamb]

I voted 'undecided' as I completed the course last year & am yet to reap the benefits.

The course itself is very rigorous & of a high standard, as you would expect from a UK university, so is useful from a pedagogical stance.

I'm currently working in an international program in Thailand, teaching CIE GCSE & A-level physics. I would have got the job without the PGCEi as most teachers only have a BA / BSc, which is reflected in the salary but I'm gaining valuable experience with a view to working in an international school in China in the near future.

[In the heat of the moment]

Thanks, which university did you go through? I'm leaning towards Sunderland at the moment.

[HLJHLJ]

It's useful in terms of giving you a good theoretical grounding, but it's unlikely to make a huge difference to your employment or earning potential. Major international schools that care about such things often don't consider it to be equivalent. The ones that don't know the difference would likely hire you without it, or with virtually any kind of teaching certificate. (Edit: one exception to this is China, where it is well regarded).

[nimadecaomei]

I wonder what the program will stamp on the certificate. I did something similar, but it just says PGCE, no i on it. To be complete you would need QTS, but it is part way there.

[slamb]

[slamb]

[nimadecaomei]

Mine was done distance here in China, but my cert just says PGCE. It is true that without QTS it is not a full teaching qualification. After completing it two years ago I have essentially tripled my income and have a much better package (insurance, housing allowance, flight reimbursements, and after next year a subsidy for my son's schooling).

[In the heat of the moment]

[nimadecaomei]

My BA is unrelated to English teaching, but it is a degree in language (Chinese) from a top university. Had 7 years teaching at a Sino-British collaborative thing.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Personally, I think this is a great idea. I would have done it as I have no interest in teaching in a school in Australia and I have always just wanted to work internationally. In regards to the employment opportunities, it may be fairly limiting for the time being, but, I'd guess that might be because it's new. I might be wrong on that, but I've never heard of it before. Hopefully, when it becomes more common, it will be more accepted by employers.

[Elicit]

I’ve been brave and voted ‘yes’.

I only know 2 people that have completed a PGCEi, and both are in better jobs than when they began the course. One has a related degree and the other unrelated.

Odds seem to be in the PGCEi’s favour, at least in SE Asia anyway. And so they should be if a teacher has taken the time and money to do one, in my opinion.

[LarssonCrew]

I did the PGCE and in China it helped me improve, and got me a good plus to my salary.

Also, if you do the PGCEi through Nottingham you can move on to do the distance masters degree for 2/3 of the work and therefore 2/3 of the cost.

[currentaffairs]

Biggest problem for me is no practicum. If some places offer this course with a practicum, teaching observations by your course tutors, and so on then it would be a 'proper' teaching qualification and worth doing..

[nimadecaomei]

I am pretty sure most, if not all, involve observations and reflection on practice as part of the assessment.