Job Discussion Forums

TEFL anonymous · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tampico, Mexico

After a few years teaching I've decided that it's time to make attempts to improve myself and my employment position and throw myself into trying to get into management. I realise that I need to study more for this, so following the well trodden route of many before me, I successfully applied to do my DELTA and am due to start in September.

However... I recently found out about a Pg Dip in Educational Management run by International House. Now wouldn't this better equip me for my desired future positions? Or is it really necessary to do the DELTA?? Which would employers be more likely to want?

I'd be so grateful for any advice you can give me!!!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

My experience has been that employers mostly want you to be in the right place at the right time.

Others may have experiences different than mine, but everyplace I've ever taught, management was hired internally- from the ranks of the teachers, in most cases.

I'm the director of English programs in a mid-sized institute; I had no special qualifications for management when I moved into this position. (Got a dip in teacher training now, and reaching for the MA...) But my experience is that many schools are loathe to put people in charge who they don't know, even if the stranger is more qualified than anyone they have in house.

Thoughts?

Best,
Justin

MELEE · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

TEFLA

I have that very Dip in educational management. It has undergone some changed since I took it 7 years ago. ( Shocked

my how time flies) It was a very good course and worth every peso I changed into sterling to pay for it. It definately prepared me to be a manager.

But like Justin said, I don't know if it would have actually gotten me a job as a manager. I was already in line for such a promotion when I signed up to do the course. Actually at that time, I think that was one of the adminissions requirements for the course. It was all distance and you had to be in a position where you had a school to experiement on. Every module consisted of reading, then writting up a project to improve that aspect of your current insitution.

I don't think doing the DELTA is going to not give you more opportunities, I think it is a good course and you will learn a lot about English and teaching it. I agree with Justin that employers will want to know you and trust you more than go "Wow, management studies let's hire him." And you can always do the other dip later, when you are in a management position.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Sherri · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

I agree with what Justin and Melee wrote. I was a DOS in Japan for over 10 years, and I am a coordinator of an ESL program now. Your best bet would be to find a school or institution where there is room to grow professionally, get the hands on experience, then move on to steadily increase your purview. Of course you need the teaching experience and qualifications to get you started. I had masters in an unrelated field and the CELTA when I started, but now I have an MA in TEFL. I could not have been considered for the job I have now without the MA in TEFL, but for my first move up the career ladder, I needed to be a teacher at that institution.

Sherri

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm working at a couple of presigious schools in the capital, so that when we go to another city, I should have more experience than those who only stay in the provinces. If you can work in the capital's best schools, than you should be able to do well in the provinces.

Also, if you stay long enough at a place, you're bound to move up.

And try to go to a few conferences or congresses.

tedkarma · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:08 am Post subject:

There is another way to "Move up" and that is to get out of language schools altogether and avoid the major headache of supervising people (did that for almost 20 years and DON'T miss it!) - move up to a university position.

While university positions don't usually pay much more (if at all) your workload is usually quite a bit less and it will allow you time to earn extra with private classes, publishing or other things that strike your interest - without the management headaches. Most tertiary positions offer MUCH more paid time off as well.

As long as you are willing to study - just get a good one-year MATESOL - and head off for a much more enjoyable life.

Don't compare apples with oranges - some people will point out the similarity in wages - and even if time off is about the same the workload will be far less - allowing you energy and time to pursue other interests.

I've worked the university circuit for the last 15 years and the free time has allowed me to publish eight EFL textbooks (extra income) and learn how to do websites (extra income) and teach a lot of small private classes (personally and financially more rewarding than doing it for a language school).

All this without having to panic and cover someone's class at the last minute because they decided to backpack on down the road without letting you know . . . Or dealing with hostile and angry employees.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

tedkarma · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 2:08 am Post subject:

Sherri · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 2:38 am Post subject:

tedkarma · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 4:57 am Post subject:

TEFL anonymous · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tampico, Mexico

Thanks so much for all your responses - they've been really interesting to read and have give me a lot to think about.

I guess that my problem is that although I love teaching, I want a new challenge. Which is why I was thinking about management or teacher training. I've been a senior teacher and enjoyed the responsibility, but having just moved to Mexico, I'm going to have to start at the bottom again I think! I'm really looking a bit of a change which will eventually make me some more money (always comes back to that!) and give me some options for professional development for the future.

Thanks again, you've all been so helpful!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject:

As someone involved in both management (75%), teacher training(25%) and teaching (25%; these percentages reflect division of my time)...a word of advice:

If you don't want to have a heart attack before 40, go with teacher training.

I love my admin job, because it's allowed me to design and implement programs that I both really believe in, and really enjoy. But, it's due to this part of my job that I have not had a whole night's sleep since I-know- not-when. If my cell phone rings when I'm sleeping, it's admin, not teaching or teacher training that calls.

Unless you really WANT to build a program, to create new opportunities in a given area, in short, unless you have a really desire to exhaust yourself in order to fulfil a vision you have, stay the hell out of management.

I like my job. But the experience has not been without a certain ambivalence...

Best,
Justin

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I acted as DOS once for a few months. Ugh. You couldn't get me into admin/management if you paid me a million dollars. Well, maybe a million...

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270