Job Discussion Forums

[rayman]

I apologise if this question has been answered before, but I coudn't seem to find a straight answer.

I wish to apply for the Pnet scheme. I'm a qualified primary teacher with a Grad. Dip. Ed. (Primary). I'm about to begin a Grad. Cert. (TESOL), which is a 6 month course at university. Would this TESOL certificate be respected by the PNet scheme? Or do they only recognise the full one year TESOL diplomas, Masters (TESOL) and CELTAs?

Thanks for any help

[anninhk]

The qualifications you mention should be sufficient to get you a job as a PNET but your pay will be based on your experience and you won't be able to progress above a certain point as you don't have a degree.

[lambada]

Yep. My understanding is that you only need the TESOL qualification if you do not have a Dip Ed or teaching degree. Presumably you have a degree if you hve a Dip Ed? Is it a Post Graduate Dip Ed? The TESOL would be very useful, in any case, as our work is as much TESOL as Primary in focus. The main issue is having the patience to wait out the system once you have successfully completed your interview. Also, some PNETs are hired directly by the schools who then apply for them to be covered by the scheme. You also need to have every piece of paper from the year dot to prove your status. It's a strange land

[rayman]

Thanks for your replies. Perhaps I wasn't clear in my initial post.

I already have a BA and a PGCE in primary teaching. So I'm qualified to teach primary in my country of Australia. I also have 3 years teaching experience post primary teacher qualifications.

So my understanding from your post Lambada is the Grad Cert. TESOL isn't necessary to gain admission, but recommended for professional reasons nonetheless.

What about in terms of pay scale? Would the Grad.Cert.(TESOL) take me up the ladder a little further in that regard?

[lambada]

You are correct. You have ample quals already. The TESOL makes no difference to your pay scale. The key thing is that your teaching was full-time in Primary school. You should get $12,950 housing allowance and about 18-19,000. Ample for a single person with average needs, as long as you don't spend more than about $7,500 on housing. Don't forget approaching schools directly as you would be in demand with your primary experience and recent qualifications. The EMB are very slow at processing so don't be phased by that. Some of us have done Masters in TESOL via either USQ or Deakin. 8 units over 2 years at $450 a unit. Interesting and hopefully of some value. I also did a CELTA. Good luck. Give me an email address if you want more info.