Job Discussion Forums

[Nochasauras]

This will be my 3rd year of teaching with pretty much all my prior experience teaching adults, the last 4 months of which were teaching Sabic trainees at JIC. I've decided to make the jump to young learners before I get my Ma and I was wondering if I could ask anyone out there who is teaching Elementary level (i'm teaching 4th grade math, science and english), what I could expect in that learning environment with the Saudi cultural demographic and what is expected of the teacher.

I know different expectations can vary from school to school, even between different branches of a single corporation, but i believe its going to be a real paradigm shift away from adult instruction, specifically in my teaching methods and behavior.

Thanks for the constructive input. All other, well i'm sure there's another boring post for it somewhere else.

[trapezius]

If I were you, I would be soliciting realistic input, as anybody would.

[veiledsentiments]

From what I have seen, if you are switching to K-12, an MA isn't that useful professionally and really doesn't move you up the ladder that much. To get the best jobs what you need is certification from your home country to teach at elementary or secondary. Do you have that?

I don't think that you would find another thread about this. I think you may be the first!! Most people are looking to move up to university level from K-12 because to be honest... IMHO... it is much less work.

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

there's a reason why the mininum requirements to teach adults TEFL can be as low as (besides being an adult yourself) and a 3 month certificate course while the minimum requirements to teach elementary is a 4 year degree and state/national cerification which includes a full time semester student teaching , a massive written test and a back ground check.
teaching elementary anything is immensely more complex and you have your students longer throughout a typical day than an in and out TEFL teacher
mind you there were some crap requirements like the 'history of education in the usa' while i was getting my certification but you have to know the learning process COLD as well as what typically delays and interferes with it. throw in social pressures and child development and your day is full. but i didn't even introduce the curricullum and how it progresses kg-grade 6 in all subject matters. time management / behavior control , stress management for the teacher (a real important part of your training), student assessment (whoa - i had an elemenetary principal that required a page of hand written comments on each student - 250 words minimum - no simple a, b, c, d or f), did i mention parental and administration pressure? A LONG BUT REWARDING DAY - the little time you have will revolve around planning your needed holidays.
and i didn't even mention learning disabilities which are in every elementary classroom not just the special needs schools.....
teaching elementary is not for everybody
but those who do it well are frankly more skilled than a successful tefl teacher in my humble opinion
there will be moments when you think you're totally unprepared (for this scenerio, develop a good realtionship with a senior teacher who can advice you). if you don't ever think this way, you ARE totally unprepared and i won't want my kids in your room
good luck

[johnslat]

Dear 15yearsinQ8,

Having taught the gamut, from Head Start through elementary, junior high, high school, and college/university, I agree totally with what you wrote.

I have unbounded admiration and respect for "lower-level grade" teachers.
Their average day makes an average EFL/ESL day seem like a walk in the park.

Regards,
John

[InterRick]

Dear johnslat,

Have you ever walked in New York's Central Park at night?

Regards,
Rick

[usa_in_gulf]

15yearsinQ8 is right on the mark!

I have had successful careers in both the lower elementary and university levels. By far, lower elementary is much more work and preparation�but also by far the most rewarding!

Comparatively, EFL teaching at the university level is a vacation! Most elementary teachers would consider it like teaching an after-school club!

I have recently moved back to the university level so that I have time to finish my PhD! Something that I simply could not do while working in the "elementary world"!

[johnslat]

Dear InterRick,

"Have you ever walked in New York's Central Park at night?"

Actually, I have - but after two hours, I gave up. Would you believe that I didn't come across a single person whom I could mug? People seem to be way too paranoid these days.

Regards,
John

[InterRick]