Job Discussion Forums

[Lobster]

Probably the greatest benefit from this program would be a solid foundation in teaching and classroom management. It probably won't earn you more money except in an international school, but at least you'll know what you're doing in the classroom.

RED

[ecubyrd94]

I would complete the course personally. Six months isn't that long of a time and you will benefit from it as a professional either in China or elsewhere. As others have said, without it you will most likely not be considered for any of the higher paying international-type school jobs.

With that being said, are you able to do the continuing education courses to remain certified from abroad? I ask because I was temporarily certified in my home state prior to going to Korea 6 years ago and lost that due to the fact that I didn't complete the additional coursework. I went home last year and reapplied for certification only to find that my subject area (geography 6-12) had been lumped into one broad certification (social sciences 6-12). I would have had to spend a year or so taking additional courses for that, hence my move back to Asia.

I was able to land a position at a very good (imo) semi-international school here based on the fact that I was certified at one point and had many years teaching experience. Maybe I got lucky.

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

Okay... so if you become a credentialed teacher, you are likely to run into a thing known as BTSA, essentially the twoish year process after the initial/preliminary credential. You usually have to be in a public school system for those two years, although there are ways for (especially) Catholic school teachers to get around that. If, like mine, your credential is only five years, you need to get to China, teach, get back, and find a minimum two year position (presumably in the same state where you earned it, but if not, it can get even harder), leaving a three year stint in China (which can feel very long.) If you see yourself being in China that long or longer, I would recommend skipping the credential... find great websites, books, podcasts, etc. and focus on those building up a serious amount of material/portfolio items for your eventual assignment in a public education classroom (at the very least, I know I do not want these routines and procedures in my classroom...). You would be shocked how few of your colleagues actually have experience teaching how to speak English as we are usually trying to get our students to Shut. Up. Now.

Whether you pursue your credential now or later, I would recommend adding the M.Ed. as well. The degree is not really worth a lot (no degree will ever help you write a Child Protective Services referral), but it is a lengthy theoretical exposure to an area that YOU picked (not just a lockstep credential program) that will allow you to really soak stuff up, particularly if it is in an area that you feel you are weak in (the best math teachers always seem to be the ones who were horrible at math becuase they had to think about it a lot). Once you are in your own classroom, dealing with parents, rent, and just getting through thee day, committing to and completing a master's program is pretty hard for most fulltime teachers.

Aloha,

XLB