Job Discussion Forums

jandc112003 · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Hong kong

Hello everyone!!!

can anyone give me an advice on what to do?? I am an ancilliary teacher here in hk for almost a year now. and I am planning to take up a course in YMCA. It is a correspondence course offered by the North American Montessori Centre (NAMC). I just want to know if it is recognize by most schools in hk most especially in kindergartens. or should i take TESL or TEFL instead????

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I suggest you make your own educated choice. It may not be an either/or choice but a combination of a TYEFL cert and a Montessori diploma.
This all depends on your current qualificiations. TEFL or TESL certs are postgraduate certs, but Montessori diplomas are Montessori-school specific - they usually require you to have relevant teacher qualification.
There are special kindergartens that subscribe to the Montesori approach, and they also organise special training courses for teachers. Those who want to teach at a Montessori kindergarten will have to embrace this doctrine wholeheartedly. To some extent, I would say it is autoritarian.

Montessori is a pedagogical approach or philosophy thought up by Maria Montessori a century earlier before Italy's fascists took control of their country. I highly recommend MONTESSORI - A MODERN APPROACH by Paula Polk Lillard.

I used to be in contact with Hong Kong Montessorians but have lost contact with them.

Another philosophy is called the Anthroposophical School that was created by Rudolf Steiner of Germany. They too have a branch in Hong Kong; unfortunately they are far more secretive and highly intolerant of other philosophies.

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

I wife was taking that course but had to drop out.

The course books are nice, the content not too challenging.

The Mont. is nice to add to an existing portfolio, however for my wife, she really needs a course with more classroom support and social interaction.

It's really your call.

Personally, I say if you have the time and money take everything available, it will only make you a better teacher.

As for how many if any doors completion of the course will open for you, it will depend on your other qualifications.