I am a secondary Maths specialist with 8 years experience in the UK. My wife is looking at training to be a TA in order to make us more attractive to International schools.
Do you think this WILL put us in a better position or would it not make the slightest difference?
Any opinions would be great, thanks in advance.
Couples - One teacher and one TA
What qualification does your wife need, how much does it cost and how long does it take?
Where I am, most teaching assistants are local, unqualified (not all) and poorly paid (pretty much all).
You might be better off posting on TES which is far more British
http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/64.aspx
Mind you, a lot of places in Asia you'll easily live on one salary, so if your wife was earning 30% of what your were it would be purely savings.
Where I am, most teaching assistants are local, unqualified (not all) and poorly paid (pretty much all).
You might be better off posting on TES which is far more British
http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/64.aspx
Mind you, a lot of places in Asia you'll easily live on one salary, so if your wife was earning 30% of what your were it would be purely savings.
Not worth It
Unless your wife is getting certified as an actual teacher, getting certified as a teachers aid isnt worth anything. many countries dont recognise it, and it really doesnt qualify you for anything. There is little regulation outside of western countries about Teachers Aids, basically anyone with experience working with children can be a teachers aid.
Your case isnt unique, the "sell" for you is that your a highly experienced math teacher which has a lot of demand. Its common for a school to create or give a trailing spouse a support position, as a tutor, aid, clerk, ESL teacher to get a teacher they really want. I dont see the money and time spent on such a TA course being worth anything, or increasing your marketability.
Your case isnt unique, the "sell" for you is that your a highly experienced math teacher which has a lot of demand. Its common for a school to create or give a trailing spouse a support position, as a tutor, aid, clerk, ESL teacher to get a teacher they really want. I dont see the money and time spent on such a TA course being worth anything, or increasing your marketability.
Thanks for both of your replies. My wife is a solicitor and would love to retrain as a teacher, but we're not working in the UK at the moment and have 2 kids, so a PGCE is off the cards. Am I right in thinking there are no decent online/distant learning courses out there, she could possibly do placements at the schools here?
Thanks again for your time.
Thanks again for your time.
And
Bath does an online/distance PGCE, several other schools in the UK, and Australia offer them as well. You dont really do a placement for a PGCE, just some observations, and many schools will work with you on doing them anywhere. You dont really do your placement until your working on QTS. Otherwise the PGCE is all coursework.
I'm sure I posted a longer thread than the one above last night, but it appears not to be there.
Check that the online PGCEs are valid in the UK. Some are, some aren't. Some are designed for those overseas and not valid in the UK (university money grab). Don't just rely on the university to give you that information.
Secondy, if your wife is intending to teach in the UK eventually, then she will have to complete her NQT year (if she doesn't want to do that, then it'd be a waste of time), otherwise she'll be stuck on the bottom rung of the payscale when she gets home. COBIS schools (Council of British International Schools) can now facility this year, so when considering where to apply (this starts in Sept 2012), these schools may be advantageous.
Check that the online PGCEs are valid in the UK. Some are, some aren't. Some are designed for those overseas and not valid in the UK (university money grab). Don't just rely on the university to give you that information.
Secondy, if your wife is intending to teach in the UK eventually, then she will have to complete her NQT year (if she doesn't want to do that, then it'd be a waste of time), otherwise she'll be stuck on the bottom rung of the payscale when she gets home. COBIS schools (Council of British International Schools) can now facility this year, so when considering where to apply (this starts in Sept 2012), these schools may be advantageous.
Clarify
International Schools that are COBIS schools are eligible for you to complete QTS. If you don't plan to teach in public schools QTS is a waste (some would argue, me included, that it's valuable at independent schools as well). My assumption was your wife would return to the legal field back in the UK, if and when you returned, and that the teaching qualification was to teach while your overseas.
Wow, thanks for all your replies. I'll have a look at the online courses mentioned and post back for future readers.
PSY, yes, my wife will probably go back into Law if and when we return. We would just like the option of not having to return and the 2x income is the only way bearing in mind we have 2 babes.
Thanks again everyone.
PSY, yes, my wife will probably go back into Law if and when we return. We would just like the option of not having to return and the 2x income is the only way bearing in mind we have 2 babes.
Thanks again everyone.
Well
Well then QTS is a definite waste, and any PGCE will due. I understand the need to double your income, and there is very little in law your wife cold do on her own. If she's going to teach, and so are you, and you have 2 infant children, who is going to care for them during the day?
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stellalocal
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Re: Well
[quote="PsyGuy"]Well then QTS is a definite waste, and any PGCE will due. [/quote]
I'm not sure I entirely agree with this, even internationally the better schools may want QTS (not NQT year) so don't rule it out. I know my school in Egypt employed a couple of NQTs with QTS during my time there, none without, I know one was sent away to at least get some experience. And some job ads that I've seen have stated 'QTS'. I'm not saying QTS is essential, but may give your wife better options, if it's not possible she may still be able to get a teaching job at a not so good school depending on where you are.
I'm not sure I entirely agree with this, even internationally the better schools may want QTS (not NQT year) so don't rule it out. I know my school in Egypt employed a couple of NQTs with QTS during my time there, none without, I know one was sent away to at least get some experience. And some job ads that I've seen have stated 'QTS'. I'm not saying QTS is essential, but may give your wife better options, if it's not possible she may still be able to get a teaching job at a not so good school depending on where you are.
Disagree
If his wife was applying for a vacancy n her own merits, I'd agree with you, but in this case the OP is a fully qualified and experienced math teacher and they are really just exploring how to make his wife "legal" as a teaching couple, instead of a trailing spouse. Pardon the -, but the OP is the steak, his wife's just the gravy...
Even if it was different there aren't many schools you could do QTS at outside the UK, some yes, but not many. You would have to either be working at one of those schools or be close enough in commute to be employed at one. While its possible, it's not very likely. In that regard though if it's doable, of course QTS would be advised.
Even if it was different there aren't many schools you could do QTS at outside the UK, some yes, but not many. You would have to either be working at one of those schools or be close enough in commute to be employed at one. While its possible, it's not very likely. In that regard though if it's doable, of course QTS would be advised.