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Londonlover
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 90 Location: London
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:00 pm Post subject: Qualifications to teach English to refugees/asylum seekers? |
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Anyone know if there are qualifications that specifically train you/qualify you to teach refugees and asylum seekers?
I'm just asking out of interest.
When I moved back to the U.K. recently after 5 years abroad, I thought I'd quite like the idea of getting into ESOL teaching at F.E colleges. However, I quickly realised that things had changed in the UK and in my absence a National ESOL curriculum had been set up ('The Skills for Life' thing) and I get the impression that having a CELTA and a PGCE and University teaching experience all count for nothing when it comes to those F.E. ESOL jobs because the colleges are looking only for people who have direct experience of working with the 'Skills for Life ESOL curriculum' for the teaching they do with refugees and asylum seekers. I would have thought that in London F.E. Colleges in particular its all about ESOL rather than EFL teaching. I don't think us normal TEFLers with our IH Task-based /language games approach are given a second look in the applications pile for the refugee focussed ESOL jobs, as we don't have that relevant experience. Anyone in the know here?
So for future reference are there specific ESOL Skills for Life training courses and certificates for teachers? Or does one just do some voluntary teaching with the Refugee Council to get the experience? |
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Will.
Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: |
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I would put your CV on top of the pile on the side for serious consideration. thye other pile is discarded without another look.
Don't knock yourself. You have much to offer even in ESOL. Experience counts. Most colleges wil expect you to complete the necessary qualifications for FE or HE teaching a Cert Ed or a Fento Level 4 qualification. A Dip/DELTA in itself is not sufficient as it lacks subject specification training, same for the CTEFL it is helpful though and desired in ESOL as is the CTESOL. Expect a CRB check if kids are involved.... they normally are, in many situations of refugee teaching a creche is involved. I don't know about any specific courses for teaching Asylum seekers and refugees although NIACE do/did deliver a series of training sessions for implementing the national Curriculm a few years ago and are still delivering them. Most useful.
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/curriculum_esol/
http://www.fento.org/
http://www.niace.org.uk/
http://www.esol-sig.org.uk/
http:/www.talent.ac.uk/
http://www.natecla.org.uk/ |
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Londonlover
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 90 Location: London
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the reply, Will. |
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SueH
Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy
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Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hi LL,
I got into FE teaching with only a CELTA and without overseas experience (I was career changer). The work was a bit part time, and then one college paid for me to do the C&G 4707 Part 1, but never completed part 2 as I moved colleges (those temp contracts) and couldn't do it at the other college.
I'm now in the Italian Alps; the snow is very good but as I'm setting up house and looking for work, I really can't afford to risk going skiing!
I wouldn't worry too much about specific qualifications as long as you are in the right place at the right time, and agree to additional training as outlined by Will. It's easier to get the subject specific level 4 training in London, I think, but the links Will has given you are very useful.
PS Hi Will! |
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Londonlover
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 90 Location: London
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Hi Sue,
thanks for the advice.
I've enjoyed reading your postings on this forum.
So have you upped sticks and moved permanently to Italy? Or is that house a mountain lodge winter holiday home that you bought with all the big bucks you earned doing TEFL in our beloved UK ?
Cheers
LondonL. |
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SueH
Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Hi LL,
It's merely one of my many residences, Monte Carlo, the pied-a-eau in Venice, the broom cupboard in Central London where I sleep upright, the place at Cowes I keep for the sailing and where I keep my Halberg-Rassy 42...
A move for a few years at least, although as Mum gets older I might want to return to the UK for her. For those readers on here who take things literally (not you LL!) the first paragraph was only in my imagination. Wouldn't mind crewing on a boat like that though.
Sue |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Wouldn't mind crewing on a boat like that though. |
A friend of mine gave up TEFLing in London to do precisely that. I don't know whatever possessed him |
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John Hamilton
Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 45 Location: France
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Qualifications to teach English to refugees/asylum seeke |
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Londonlover wrote: |
I get the impression that having a CELTA and a PGCE and University teaching experience all count for nothing |
I'd agree with the other posters. You've got an excellent CV. If you meet any idiots that suggest you haven't ignore them and continue bashing away. I'm sure you'll meet someone somewhere who has the wits to realise you are a highly qualified experienced professional though you may well have to endure a few twits who don't even know what a CELTA means. |
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