Job Discussion Forums

[babyoilrig]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone could help me answer two questions please?

I am doing a CELTA course starting next week - I was just wondering if it is possible to get work in the UK just with this qualification? (I also have a business degree). If so, what type of jobs would these be, and how would i go about finding them?

Secondly, I have a question regarding the PGCE. I am considering applying for one starting next September, but i would like to teach abroad in the future. A few of my friends teach abroad with a PGCE - but i have heard that using this qualification to teach abroad could devalue it - making it more difficult to achieve UK teaching jobs in the future. Does anyone know if this is true?

If I did a PGCE it would be in Business Studies for secondary. Does anyone know if there is much demand internationally for Business/Enterprise teachers, and how easy it would be to get a job?

Thanks v much in advance xxx

[naturegirl321]

UK: maybe check the UK boards. I'm guessing a language school, but it seems like it's hard to make a living in the UK as a TEFL teacher. YOu'd probably find jobs via your TEFL course. They often give you a list of employers. Or check out the ads here, or seriousteachers.com or tefl.com or the chronicle or local newspapers.

For your PGCE, have you checked international schools? YOu could find a job at an IBO school or similar and teach Business. Intl schools pay well. Only issue would be experience. They usually require two years. BUt some schools are more flexible, espeically those in not too popular countries. You said you lived in Cambodia. It'd be easier to find a job at an intl school there than say Italy.

I'm not sure how a PGCE would devalue. Unless you mean that some employers look less favourably on those that teach abroad versus those that teach in the UK.

The demand for bsuiness teachers is pretty decent. I-m guessing similar to math or science, at least in secondary school. The IBO woul dbe a good place to check out for jobs and info. AS for how easy it is to get a job that depends on your expectations. Jobs are always out there, it's the good jobs that are hard to find. If you go to an intl school job fair and have the quals and experience and are willing to work anywhere in the work, you should get a couple of job offers.

[Kofola]

You can't teach in the state sector in the UK with just a CELTA, so you would be limited to private language schools where permanent contracts are like gold dust and wages are about as valuable as household dust.

The real problem with teaching abroad is not that your qualification devalues, but that (like anything else) you may not have the kind of experience a UK school is looking for, esp the state sector. While international schools may offer the same curriculum and exams, the environment and legal and regulatory framework are often very different - community liaison, OFSTED inspections, working with SEN, conducting risk assessments, mentoring etc. Thus, long-term experience abroad might mean that you would have no/different experience of these while other teachers with the same length of service in the UK would have. However, given teacher shortages, it would be more a case of perhaps finding it difficult to compete for the more attractive jobs.

Plus you would have to make sure you had done your NQT in the UK. Otherwise you'd be returning to an NQT post even if you had several years experience abroad.

[ossie39]

With your intended PGCE in Business Studies, you could teach in an f.e. college rather than a school. Once you get accepted on that PGCE course you might request your 2nd teaching practice in a further education college to widen your experience further. Alternatively, do a PGCE (Post 16) which also is recognised by the ministry for education. You might gear some of your PGCE towards computing, if only at a basic level. Computing would be useful in an international school.
Your CELTA will be very useful in teaching in mainstream schools, in the UK and overseas. With a PGCE and CELTA, you might get a job as an EAL teacher in Britain but these are rare. A CELTA and a Business Studies/Computing PGCE will make you attractive to private colleges and universities overseas although a masters would increase your chances for the latter.
Working outside mainstream UK schools can mean that you don't do or delay the probationary year (for full NQT approval) but that isnt really a problem. Once you have gained a qualification it doesn't devalue. Good luck.