Job Discussion Forums

[wangdaning]

There is a possibility that I might take on the PGCEi, I am curious if anybody has experience with it. I am a bit confused about it, and when I search for it I don't find much information.

[tttompatz]

Just heresay... that it won't get you a credential that is worth anything if your plan is to go mainstream in the UK or the international school circuit.

As an actual employer (K-12) I wouldn't hire anyone because of it nor would it give you a leg up on any other candidate ... basically, at the bottom of the stack behind all certified teachers (B.Ed/QTS) and at about the same level as someone with a generic BA in anything other than education.

.

[wangdaning]

I have heard that you can do the QTS part later to make it a full certification.

[HLJHLJ]

In England, PGCE and QTS are separate and independent. It's possible to pass the PGCE and fail QTS, and vice versa. QTS is required to teach in state schools, PGCE is not.

If you can get on one of the school based training schemes like GTP you can get QTS without a PGCE. The PGCEi would be irrelevant.

[wangdaning]

[HLJHLJ]

Yes, unfortunately the whole system has been tinkered with and added to so many times, it makes absolutely no sense anymore. It also differs in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, although there is a lot of overlap between their regulations. My info is mainly about English regulations.

QTS (qualified teacher status) is required to be licensed to teach in a UK state school. It's essentially a skills test. There are many different ways you can get it. It requires a certain skill set, subject background, qualities portfolio, assessed teaching practice, etc.

ITT (initial teacher training) courses such as B.Ed and PGCE provide an opportunity to gain all of these things at the same time as taking various theoretical courses. The theory side leads to the qualification, the skills set is submitted in application for QTS.

Other schemes like GTP (graduate teaching programme) skip most of the theory side of things and instead offer on the job training that provides the skills, portfolio, etc required to apply for QTS. Some GTP providers have an option to let trainees continue to study to get a PGCE as well, some just offer QTS.

There's also a couple of options for experienced teachers, including assessment only for a very limited range of subjects at secondary level, and special arrangements for teachers who qualified overseas.

[Matt_22]

[wangdaning]

[tttompatz]

Yes, but it is that home country certification and not the PGCEi that gets you beyond the glass ceiling that entry level EFLers hit.

.

[Matt_22]

Also, it really doesn't matter where you want to settle - unless you're going to settle in the UK. US teaching certification will give you the potential to work at the vast majority of international schools in the world, just as QTS would for UK citizens.

Seems like you're worried about observation (or at least being present for it). There are alternative pathways and degree programs to certification that accommodate teachers in international (distance) settings - if that is what you're looking for.

[wangdaning]

I am thinking about going to Australia. My brother is there and planning to stay. I don't really want to go back to the US, but also don't want to leave my mother stranded there without her children.

The reason I was thinking about PGCEi was because it will be free for me.

Thank you all for your answers.

[Matt_22]

[80daze]

I start this course this September and I'm really looking forward to it. I have a friend who did this course and is now working in an International school teaching Geography and History.

He informs me that others on the course have also made to jump from ESL into the International school area. As my BA is business management I would like to teach business studies as well as English and I'm currently brushing up on my geography (see other post).

The other attraction to the PGCEi is that it is worth 35% of their MA in Education - you have to do some teacher workshops and then write a dissertation to aquire the MA.

I cannot do the PGCE in England as they won't let my wife into England - she's Chinese and has been refused entry (in case we settle there!) So this is the best prospect for us

[Adeem]

Now I am nearing the end of QTS in England, I can tell you the difference.


A PGCE (not PGCEi) entails a 1 year course, starting off in university for about 4-5 weeks learning teaching theory, then doing a school placement, during which one day a week is spent back at university. You then have a theory break of a few weeks back at university, before commencing a second teaching placement. You finish these then do some coursework and bring your portfolio of evidence up to snuff to gain your PGCE.

QTS is when you actually become a proper teacher, as you complete it while working your first year as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). You need to have a certain amount of teaching observations and also in house training. You then need to compile an evidence folder from your day to day work that shows you have met the large number of standards needed to be a qualified teacher.

The PGCEi may well open some doors if you want to move into subject teaching rather than ESL teaching, but basically comprises the theory section of the PGCE which was by far the least useful.

The real training comes from working in the school, and working with experienced colleagues who can help you develop your practice. Without this, I feel that the theory itself would be of limited use.

However, the opening doors thing is not to be sniffed at, and talking to people who work in international schools or other places offering foreign school qualifications will hopefully elucidate whether it really is worth it.

[Tudor]

A very informative post Adeem - thank you very much.