Job Discussion Forums

Mark-O

Hello all,

I am seeking experience from someone in the realm of teaching qualifications. I was wondering whether anyone has had any involvement with PGCEs and teaching in Japan?

For example, is a relevant PGCE a recognised teaching qualification in Japan for EFL? Is it more likely to land you a better salary or possibly even university work? If not, then qualification-wise, is it only purely a Masters degree that will be recognised as a qualification that off-sets a teacher from another teacher with, say, a CELTA/TESOL/TEFL certificate and degree?

Thanks in anticipation.

Mark

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

As I understand it, it is recognised as just another educationa related qualification. It has a decent measure of respect, but there is no recognition of it as giving you qualified teacher status in Japan. You would not be able to legally teach in a government school without supervision.

That's not to say that that doesn't happen, but in the event of an accident in such situations, thre would be no insurance cover at all.

Sherri · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 2:40 pm Post subject:

A PGCE will help you get a job with an international school here. There is a British school here in Tokyo that would probably be interested. A google search should turn up the contact info. A masters in a TESOL-related subject generally is good for teaching adults or college level. What age group do you want to teach?

Mark-O · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2003 10:54 am Post subject:

Thank you both for your replies.

I am looking into teaching (possibly) secondary school students, but don't yet have a PGCE myself. I was just wondering whether it was a qualification that was transferrable.

Are the international schools a better prospect in Japan then?

Thanks again!

MARK

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

I didn't mention internarional schools, but Sherri's right. Since the PGCE is qualified teacher status, it will give you the required qualifications to work in the international schools. These operate on a slightly different standard from the regular state schools, which require a Japanese QTS (as I understand the rules). I have spoken to many people employed as ALTs who have QTS in their home country, but the schools will not let them teach unsupervised.

However, this might be because the schools aren't fully aware of teh QTS, it might be that the school is being anal about the role and permitted functionality of the ALT job, qualifications be damned, or it might be the actual law. I guess what I'm saying is that my information is circumstancial (though widespread), and I'd love to know the actual rule. I suspect however, that individual schools aren't always aware of a specific rule anyway, and march to their own drum on this point.