Job Discussion Forums

[timothypfox]

I am working in Japan at a private high school near Kagoshima City, and I had a question about no or low cost professional development classes, seminars, or conferences.

For those of you who have worked in public schools in the USA, you may be familiar with the Professional teaching license. In New York State the unconditional Permanent teaching license no longer exists, but teachers can keep the Professional level license indefinitely provided they complete and log about 175 professional development hours every 5 years.

I would like to keep my NY State license in TESOL in good standing while in Japan (i.e. I don't want it too expire), so I wondered if anyone knew of no or low-cost ESL professional development I could do preferably over the Internet. I could probably claim some of my school meetings for some of these hours - but I am sure they will look for seminars, courses, or conferences as well when checking my hours.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[timothypfox]

I'm going to re-post this in the General Forum as it may be more applicable to teachers working in other parts of the world.

[Mr_Monkey]

I'm in a similar position - I'll send you a PM later when I have the time.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Wouldn't joining JALT and then going to their meetings every month cover it?

[timothypfox]

Yes. That would probably cover it. Thanks for the idea.