Job Discussion Forums

[jdl]

Professional teachers often take offense to the general use of the term 'teacher' being applied to anyone who has limited or inadequate training as determined by the professional body and national/state/provincial governing agency. I suppose a comparison could be made with the situation in which a law office secretary assumes the title of 'lawyer' (apologies to Erin) or a nurse receptionist calling her/himself 'doctor'.

This offense is understandable in that trained teachers have made a career decision at the undergraduate level and have selected a course of studies ranging in duration from 5 to 8 years (equivalent to most law and medical studies) specifically focused upon the art and science of teaching.

Having completed a multi year and expensive education process, teachers, their professional organizations and sanctioning bodies are very reluctant to give the name 'teacher' over to anyone with less qualification; read esl 'industry standard' here and prefer the term instructor or lecturer or better still 'teacher assistant'

So if you were to ask the question to a certified teacher, "Why the turnover in ESL" the argument would generally go as follows:
1. Lack of training/education appropriate to the profession results in
2. A lack of committment to the profession and a failure to recognize the skill/knowledge set to become sucessful which leads to
3. a lack of investment to the profession resulting in
4. a critical mass of practioners who do not see themslves as professional individuals and set the standard for the generalization which is transiency in the job market, poor continuing education, lack of professional codes of conduct, poorer pay and security, and a lack of career potential.

This rather crude analogy may sum up the argument: ESL is to teaching what Macdonald's is to working.

How does one change this image and reality since perceptionn is reality? The first step always comes with the consumer and the demand for a standard. That is another story.

[JZer]

[PattyFlipper]

[Glenski]

[JZer]