Job Discussion Forums

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Has anyone done one of the teaching fellows programs in the U.S. to get certified to teach in the U.S? If so which one and what was your opinion of it? After I am done teaching abroad I am thinking about one of these programs for several reasons?

1) I can work in the U.S. as a teacher
2) easier to get a mortgage to purchase property before I move abroad again
3) some of the more lucrative jobs abroad require teaching certification

alwayslol · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 5

JZer,

I am considering the same, and have been looking into the ones in Philladelphia, New Jersey, and Texas. It seems to be extremely confusing as to the steps you have to take and your chances of getting in. On the one hand, they are always crying "we need teachers" and yet, if you actually talk to anyone who has tried to get a teaching job recently (even with a certification in hand) it seems to be another story. I'm just not sure.

One of the things that bothers me greatly is that it seems even if all goes well, it will still be about 6 months back home with little or no income while I start the process of taking the Praxis tests, waiting for the results, applying to each district's alternative certification/fellows program, and hoping someone will accept me. As I understand it, I cannot take the Praxis tests now from abroad, even via computer, as you still have to go to a approved location.

Is this what you are finding out? Perhaps we can share information. I'm also wondering if there are any similar programs in Canada, and whether they will accept Americans, as I would like to emigrate somewhere out of Bushland permanently.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I have not looked too seriously yet. It seems that the process takes a while. ie. living with parents or family for a while or working some terrible job to make ends meet.

but unless you want to live abroad for ever, I don't know there is much choice. Also, at least you will earn a salary while you do the certification. If you just went back for the certification you would be in school for a year without real wages.

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 5:17 pm Post subject:

JZer, we've talked about this kind of thing in the NA forum:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=31323

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=24641

Remember that if your undergrad wasn't in Applied Linguistics or TESOL or something very similar, you'll have to become certified to teach your subject. For me, that means if I want to become certified, I'd have to teach Business. Then at the very least I'd have to go through an ESL Endorsement program (12 hours at the graduate level), which even after that, chances are I'd be *mostly* teaching business, while handling a few "cases" on the side. Most of the public school esl teachers I've talked to say their job consists mostly of paperwork, and they may only see their students an hour a week. Many public school esl programs aren't fully developed yet, so while there is a chance to make a difference, you'll have to fight the administration for funding and answer to disgruntled parents as to why their child is going to have to re-do the fourth grade.

Perhaps the MA TESOL is your best bet??

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Jizzo T. Clown, thanks for the input but when I move back to the U.S. I need a job, not to enter another M.A. program. That is why i would look into the fellow program plus I have already taken graduate level classes in Foreign Language Education.

Jizzo T. Clown

jennyms · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

And highly respected about 90% of them. I was in TFA myself, but if I had to do it over I would go with Fellows in a heartbeat, the teachers I knew in DC and NYC were much more mature and committed, on average, and they actually trained in the city they worked in. Getting accepted did seem to be entirely dependent on the city, but DC is often looking for ESL teachers, so it's a good start.

You might also want to consider the cities you apply to based on the university they partner with for your classwork. DC's partner for all subjects except Special Ed was American University, and American's evening program was shameful. Nearby Baltimore, however, educates you at Johns Hopkins, and their City Teaching Residency is supposed to be wonderful.

If I tagged this link right, you can always browse communities through the New Teacher Project...

http://www.tntp.org/cli/lst.html

Good luck!