Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ed Provencher]

Do any of you good folks have firsthand knowledge of teaching degree programs in Australia? I would like to look into the possibility of earning such a degree and am looking for some advice before I delve into this further. Thanks.

[nzbradly78]

I have a New Zealand course, and they are pretty similar. New Zealand, of course is better. Normally that's tongue-in-cheek, but you spend more time in classrooms (15 weeks in total). Its also cheaper. Here's the rundown:

If you are going for a primary certificate, you can do the course in 15 months in both NZ and Aussie. All you need is a Bachelors and a real commitment to teaching. The unis want your money, but they don't want to put crappy teachers into the pool either.

If you want to be a secondary school teacher, you need a degree in the field you are teaching. For example, if you have a science background, you can teach science. Interdisciplinary degrees qualify you for nothing.

Teaching in NZ and Aussie is great. Its a lot of work, but you are well compensated compared to the US. There is lots of holiday time and you are surrounded by real committed professionals. Especially is the land of Oz. To get yourself into a postion to get a full time gig, you should look at Darwin, since they are screaming for teachers in the Northern Territory. Don't bother with New South Wales, you'll never get a job.

Relief teaching isn't bad. Sorry for rambling here, but I just thought of this. I don't know what the rates for Australian teachers are, but in New Zealand, you'll make $200 a day for relief work. Not bad pay at all, just no holiday pay. This is important to consider, because this is how you get the mythical full time teaching position: regular relief work at schools will get you noticed by the principals and that'll get your foot in the door. And once your in mate, you are in!

Its a fun program, not very hard at all if dive in headfirst. The advantages of have a teaching certificate extend beyond working in Aussie or NZ. I got a job at an international school in Europe starting next autumn. I had offers in Japan and India as well.

Good luck!

[isisaredead]

i've been looking into the same thing. here is a list i've found that i hope you find useful:

http://www.degreesoverseas.com/popular-degrees/popular-degree-programs-in-australia/education-and-teaching-degrees/

[Weigookin74]

[nzbradly78]

Just speaking about NZ, but I'm pretty sure that Australia has similar requirements, though the GPA bit may vary from uni to uni. I'm not going to disclose my undergrad GPA, but I certainly didn't set the world alight back in the day.

The actual application process isn't hard. You fill out the application, write an essay, and get two or three referees. They'll have to write their letters on a form you get with your application. I think these carry more weight than your undergrad GPA. People change a lot when they start to work and I guess the applications committee figures that if you are willing to put aside 15 months and pay so much money to become a teacher, then its something you aren't doing on a whim.

If you went to an overseas university, you will need to submit new sealed transcripts and your diploma to the NZQA. They'll go over your courses and decide if your degree matches one you could earn at a New Zealand school.

I really can't recommend the programme enough, even if you aren't planning on living in New Zealand (or Australia) for the long term. The degree is good for English speaking countries and international schools.