I-PGCE

[tinopener]

Hi,

I would like to get qualified/certified whilst still living where I am, as I really don't fancy moving back to the UK to do the PGCE, especially as I'd now have to pay international student fees (despite being a UK citizen).

Can anyone tell me whether they have completed or know of anyone who has completed an I-PGCE certification and is working at an international school? It's touted by the two UK universities that run the course as an online version of the PGCE, however this really doesn't seem right to me.

I'm aware that it doesn't give QTS status, but am not so worried by this as I don't see myself returning to the UK. I would however like to teach in higher ranking international schools here in Japan, and so wonder whether it's still viewed in the same light as a standard PGCE by international schools.

Thanks in advance.

[curiousme]

It'll be up to the individual schools to assess, but when most see 'PGCE' that's enough, especially if you are just doing it for a name tag and have the experience and knowledge to back it up. Even in the UK, it's the heads discretion whether to hire you or not and where to place you on the payscale, so if it ever came to it you could argue your case. I've seen it done.

I also know people who have been hired and then they've done the PGCEi / iPGCE afterwards. It has simply been an exercise in looking the part from what I could tell. Not to say it's pointless - I've heard it opens your eyes to theory but the one without practice wouldn't be suitable if you didn't have significant experience in the classroom.

If money is no object, you can qualify through the US / Oz too completely online.

[tinopener]

Thanks for your reply, curiousme.

Can you please tell me where you saw the applicant get accepted with an I-PGCE - not the school, but the country and tier of the school, so that I have an idea of what I can expect.

Thanks.

[Nemo.]

Hi I saw a thread on TES where it seems iPGCE holders could get QTS - a recent change. With videos observations if I remember. Check it out maybe true as current government think pgces are socialist propaganda and that al teachers need are rows of desk and a lot of chalk lol so more flexibility expected. If you get qts then schools would be more interested. Maybe not tier 1 without years of experience - or in a shortage subject of course where even tier 1/2 schools are a bit more flexible. But if true the new route to qts via an ipgce is certainly a boost to British teavhers who want to qualify but not return to uk.

[curiousme]

Nemo may be referring to the assessment-only route to QTS which is probably worth looking into if you have the experience.

I know people in both Thailand and Malaysia with the PGCEi/iPGCE. At least one of them is at a (almost unanimously agreed) top tier school and others are in 'good' (at least Tier 2) schools. That's not massively surprising as it is schools who have a reputation to defend that will want their teachers certified.

By the way, there are schools abroad where you can do the UK PGCE, but they are rare and must be Ofsted approved.

[Rhysboy]

I know of someone who completed an IPGCE (with Sunderland university I think) and is now teaching in Hong Kong at a PYP school. He was already in Hong Kong teaching in the NET programme whilst he did his IPGCE.

Japan is a competitive place so you will need experience as well as a teaching qualification. That said, there is sometimes an advantage in being at the right place at the right time so being in Japan already may give you an advantage.

Just out of interest, what subject/age range are you interested in?

[tinopener]

Thanks for your reply, Rhysboy.

I'm currently teaching at an international school in Tokyo, though a very poor one. I'm teaching quite a few classes and trying to build up experience which I hope will translate to other schools if I get the online PGCE.

Ideally, I'd teach middle school and high school students English Lit, as that's what my major is in.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[Rhysboy]

tinopener wrote:
> Thanks for your reply, Rhysboy.
>
> I'm currently teaching at an international school in Tokyo, though a very
> poor one. I'm teaching quite a few classes and trying to build up
> experience which I hope will translate to other schools if I get the online
> PGCE.
>
> Ideally, I'd teach middle school and high school students English Lit, as
> that's what my major is in.
>
> Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

I've sent you a PM.