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bj80 · Joined: 31 Mar 2017 Posts: 63

One of my friends is from South Africa, despite me being American.

He advised me to get a PGCE from there because it's a valued teaching license at a low cost.

1. Is a PGCE from South Africa as valuable as other PGCE's?

2. Is a PGCE is good as a US state teaching license?

3. Anything other critical thinking skills I must bring into the equation?

To me, I simply want a teaching credential to get a shot at international schools, etc.

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

If the PGCE is from a reputable provider and won't be obtained online then it would be useful to have.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 1:03 pm Post subject:

I don't know anything about whether a South African teaching qualification will be recognized in the States, but, I'm doing a PGCE at the moment through an Australian university and I lived in South Africa for two years. If you are interested primarily in international schools then maybe it might be an idea to contact a reputable international school recruiter (Search, ISS etc.) and ask them their thoughts on the worth of a teaching qualification from the RSA. I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem. Seems to be plenty of certified South African teachers working in their profession abroad, but, anyway....

In regards to universities, I'd recommend the University of Cape Town. I taught there as a tutor (in History) and also conducted research there for my PhD. It's an English-speaking university and has the best academic reputation in Africa. At least that was the case about seven years ago. Cape Town is also one of the world's most beautiful cities, is a great place to live and has plenty going on Cool

. Good luck!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

This is what I was referring to in regard to proficiency in one of ZA's other official languages:

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 3:10 pm Post subject:

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Language requirements and culture are something to seriously consider since k-12 teacher education programs (PGCEs and licensure) are designed to meet the specific learning needs of the student demographic of the particular country. Even the ESL/English Language Learner (ELL) public school teachers in my US state have to meet the requirement or preference for Spanish proficiency or some other world language per the ELL/bilingual add-on endorsement. Teacher education programs and licensing in states with a large number of Spanish L1s reflect the language and cultural needs of this student base.

On a related note, some employers/governments abroad don't accept TESOL-related degrees from non-Anglophone countries. They're concerned about quality and/or whether the degree's course content was broad enough to fit their particular citizens' language learning needs.

Folks need to rethink their one-size-fits-all view of educational credentials.

bj80 · Joined: 31 Mar 2017 Posts: 63

Thanks for the information.

I agree that "one-size-fits-all" approach is tempting but often misleading.

I'll look into it. I definitely want more certificates, etc.; but, I find few that can cover all the bases.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Good for a job with ADEC in the UAE.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world