Job Discussion Forums

[Maverick]

Hi all, any advice on this scheme appreciated.

The Graduate Teacher Programme can be done in some English schools and gives you QTS but not a PGCE certificate ( as far as I understand it ).

With this QTS plus a year or two experience in the British Curriculum, would you be in a position to land a job at an International school ? I know how red tape and governmental requirements in some countries can be. Would schools be demanding that PGCE bit of paper to show education ministries ?!

Any experience / knowledge of this, maybe administrators working in International schools ?

Many Thanks,

M.

[Stephen Jones]

I thought the graduate teacher program was only in shortage subjects.

[jammish]

I have indeed heard that the GTP is not accepted by most International Schools, sadly

[ktodba]

Generally you need a PGCE to get international recognition but if you have any specific schools in mind its worth getting in touch with them to see what they want. Experience after gaining QTS is often the key factor with the amount of experience often meaning experience after completing your NQT year.

Check out the TES for more Info.

[leyrtj]

I have a very similar dilemma to the above poster. Having been teaching in China for 3 years, I've been offered a place on a PGCE. But I've jalso ust been offered a place on a GTP program at a school that seems to be excellent at training.

I'm keen on the GTP option, as it suits me financially, training-wise and means I can get stuck into the teaching.

My worry is that GTP isn't accepted overseas. From the research I've done, the answer is not clear. Some people say GTP is accepted in most countries, whereas some, like a poster in this thread, indicate most don't accept it. I'm particularly interested in going back to China in the future, so I'd be especially interested how GTP would be seen over there.

Have to give my answer today or tomorrow, so quick replies would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[keepwalking]

Often the difference between what qualification is best to have is due to visa requirements rather than individual institutions. Some countries insist on the piece of paper, others don't.

Another consideration - I've been involved in both the PGCE program and the GTP as a mentor to students. My advice to anyone chosing GTP would be select your training school very carefully. If they are set up to support you and recognise you are there to learn, then GTP can be better than PGCE, especially for people with existing teaching experience through TEFL.

I did the PGCE after 2 years of TEFL work and parts of it weren't really relevant to me. That said, I did appreciate the time in seminars and lectures refreshing my subject knowledge. It had been 5 years since I graduated and last written an essay! Choose your course according to what you feel you need most of - direct time in the classroom (GTP) or a balance of classroom theory and practice (PGCE)

My advice would be check out the countries you are interested in teaching in. See what their visa requirements are. Also bear in mind that after the PGCE you have to do an induction year and that has to be done in the UK or a Forces school (Germany or Cyprus). Not sure what the requirement is re: induction years for GTP.

Have fun!