Hey guys,
I know a lot of people have been asking about this, but is there anyone here who knows it for sure or has actually managed to get the QTS or a US license after the PGCEi course?
I am just about to finish the PGCEi and I do not want to start another 6.000 dollar course (like that teach now programme). I was just hoping to get a license using my BA (UK degree in English and Spanish) and my PGCEi.
Do they count work experience at all when considering someone for a license? I have worked as Head of Studies in Spain at a language centre for a year and been at an IS for a year in China.
Please share your thoughts and experience on this matter.
Has anyone managed to get a QTS or US license with a PGCEi?
Response
Yes, weve had at least two members of the forum who was successful in getting QTS through the US and then obtain QTS. I personally have helped 7 through the process 5 granted and 2 denials, of the 5 granted US credentials one of them did not apply for QTS, one of them was denied QTS and the other 3 received QTS.
They absolutely count experience because its required. What you will be doing is applying through Connecticut (CT) for the initial credential (entry grade) based on the experiential route. The minimum is two years but a strong factor common in those granted the credential is 4+ years of post PGCEi experience in accredited ISs. If you get enough experience you may even be eligible for the CT provisional credential (professional grade). Once you have those with your 4 years experience you will want to obtain and apply for the Hawaii (HI) standard credential (professional grade), you then use that to apply for QTS as an OTT.
While it absolutely is achievable, its not a guarantee, there is a lot of discretion in an application, and you wont know until you try. However, if you are unsuccessful youll be informed of the deficiencies which may simply be more experience.
Regardless of your PGCEi, you can apply for the Massachusetts (MA) provisional credential (entry grade), it will effectively be a lifetime credential, but you wont be able to use it to get QTS. Its a couple exams (at least 2) for most subject areas, though you will likely have to travel to get them.
Your language ES experience wont count and your Chinese IS experience likely wont count either, they want experience post PGCEi.
A lot of talk recently on the forum has been about DC, and while DC used to be the big clearing house of IE credentials they changed the rules sometime ago, you can no longer use your PGCEi to get what was then the Regular II credential.
They absolutely count experience because its required. What you will be doing is applying through Connecticut (CT) for the initial credential (entry grade) based on the experiential route. The minimum is two years but a strong factor common in those granted the credential is 4+ years of post PGCEi experience in accredited ISs. If you get enough experience you may even be eligible for the CT provisional credential (professional grade). Once you have those with your 4 years experience you will want to obtain and apply for the Hawaii (HI) standard credential (professional grade), you then use that to apply for QTS as an OTT.
While it absolutely is achievable, its not a guarantee, there is a lot of discretion in an application, and you wont know until you try. However, if you are unsuccessful youll be informed of the deficiencies which may simply be more experience.
Regardless of your PGCEi, you can apply for the Massachusetts (MA) provisional credential (entry grade), it will effectively be a lifetime credential, but you wont be able to use it to get QTS. Its a couple exams (at least 2) for most subject areas, though you will likely have to travel to get them.
Your language ES experience wont count and your Chinese IS experience likely wont count either, they want experience post PGCEi.
A lot of talk recently on the forum has been about DC, and while DC used to be the big clearing house of IE credentials they changed the rules sometime ago, you can no longer use your PGCEi to get what was then the Regular II credential.
Re: Response
PsyGuy wrote:
> They absolutely count experience because its required.
>
Thanks for the quick reply.
Well, my next step was going to see if Texas (or any states really) would accept and sponsor me for a local teaching job. I have been considering Texas simply because the bilingual community needs English-Spanish speaking teachers (that is what I was told).
I guess my best option is to apply for a license. That will help me understand what requirements (regarding the experience) I need to meet in order to get a full license. I am just not sure if Texas is the best option. I am still trying to understand the US system.
> They absolutely count experience because its required.
>
Thanks for the quick reply.
Well, my next step was going to see if Texas (or any states really) would accept and sponsor me for a local teaching job. I have been considering Texas simply because the bilingual community needs English-Spanish speaking teachers (that is what I was told).
I guess my best option is to apply for a license. That will help me understand what requirements (regarding the experience) I need to meet in order to get a full license. I am just not sure if Texas is the best option. I am still trying to understand the US system.
Reply
@Elysium82
If your Spanish is Castilian Spanish than not really. Most principals there wont do a virtual interview, especially if you dont already have a Texas credential. Even if they were to sponsor you and get you an H1B1 visa, youd have to enroll in an EPP/ITT program. Texas might accept the CT initial credential with deficiencies but they will make you take the Texas assessment exams at a minimum.
The only real benefit of Texas is if you need a professional grade credential fast. Typically its something like a late in cycle appointment (near the end of peak recruiting) but they need a teaching couple and the non DT/IT spouse has only months to get credentialed, then if you have the coin and the time and the resources and can travel and live in the US than you can get a credential in about 4 months. It will cost you about the same though as doing Teach Now and without the travel.
If your Spanish is Castilian Spanish than not really. Most principals there wont do a virtual interview, especially if you dont already have a Texas credential. Even if they were to sponsor you and get you an H1B1 visa, youd have to enroll in an EPP/ITT program. Texas might accept the CT initial credential with deficiencies but they will make you take the Texas assessment exams at a minimum.
The only real benefit of Texas is if you need a professional grade credential fast. Typically its something like a late in cycle appointment (near the end of peak recruiting) but they need a teaching couple and the non DT/IT spouse has only months to get credentialed, then if you have the coin and the time and the resources and can travel and live in the US than you can get a credential in about 4 months. It will cost you about the same though as doing Teach Now and without the travel.
Re: Reply
PsyGuy wrote:
> @Elysium82
>It will cost you about the same
> though as doing Teach Now and without the travel.
Oh my....that sounds crazy. I know people who have quit the PGCEi course in favour of the the Teach Now option. I can see how big of a difference it would have made. Well, at least now I can see that no matter how hard one tries, things are more complicated. I am already at an IS making good money and about to get my PGCEi. I guess I am better off just staying on here. I was just hoping to gain more experience elsewhere.
By the way, any recommendations when it comes to these EPP/ITT course? Then again....the final goal is to get the QTS without moving to the U.K..
> @Elysium82
>It will cost you about the same
> though as doing Teach Now and without the travel.
Oh my....that sounds crazy. I know people who have quit the PGCEi course in favour of the the Teach Now option. I can see how big of a difference it would have made. Well, at least now I can see that no matter how hard one tries, things are more complicated. I am already at an IS making good money and about to get my PGCEi. I guess I am better off just staying on here. I was just hoping to gain more experience elsewhere.
By the way, any recommendations when it comes to these EPP/ITT course? Then again....the final goal is to get the QTS without moving to the U.K..
Reply
@Elysium82
The deciding factor between a PGCEi and Teach Now is access to a classroom. There are PGCEi programs that have no teaching component at all, its entirely academic, you never have to set foot in a classroom. Whereas to complete Teach Now you effectively need an appointment as you need a classroom for 12 weeks.
Texas Teachers:
https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/texa ... l-teaching
The deciding factor between a PGCEi and Teach Now is access to a classroom. There are PGCEi programs that have no teaching component at all, its entirely academic, you never have to set foot in a classroom. Whereas to complete Teach Now you effectively need an appointment as you need a classroom for 12 weeks.
Texas Teachers:
https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/texa ... l-teaching
Re: Reply
@PsyGuy
That is interesting what you our saying about PGCEi courses. My 3rd module was totally about teaching and I had to evaluate a lesson sequence that I taught to IB students. Anyways....thanks for sharing that link. I'll send to teachersoftomorrow a message and see if it's the right option for me. Much obliged.
That is interesting what you our saying about PGCEi courses. My 3rd module was totally about teaching and I had to evaluate a lesson sequence that I taught to IB students. Anyways....thanks for sharing that link. I'll send to teachersoftomorrow a message and see if it's the right option for me. Much obliged.
Re: Reply
PsyGuy wrote:
> @Elysium82
>
> Not all PGCEi are the same, there are some Uni that have a field experience
> component (IE. Sunderland) and some that are entirely reflective and
> academic (IE. Nottingham).
@PsyGuy I hear you. I made the mistake of going for the Nottingham one.
I have seen some of your posts elsewhere regarding work experience that might count positively towards a US teaching license application. Would you say that IB (an official school in China) counts? If yes, it only counts after obtaining the PGCEi degree, right?
> @Elysium82
>
> Not all PGCEi are the same, there are some Uni that have a field experience
> component (IE. Sunderland) and some that are entirely reflective and
> academic (IE. Nottingham).
@PsyGuy I hear you. I made the mistake of going for the Nottingham one.
I have seen some of your posts elsewhere regarding work experience that might count positively towards a US teaching license application. Would you say that IB (an official school in China) counts? If yes, it only counts after obtaining the PGCEi degree, right?
Reply
@Elysium82
I wouldnt say that Nottingham is a mistake, there are candidates who dont have access to a classroom at all. Spouses who are trailing on a corporate expat package who happen to be in the right city of a cohort. Its not for everyone but its for some people.
It would depend what you actually taught and the letter from the IS. Is it an IB IS that offers DIP but you didnt teach in the DIP program, who is the leadership writing your letter? They are primarily interested in experience thats post qualification so it would be after you get the PGCEi, it would be different if if wasnt an IS if your experience was in a regulated (public/maintained) DS but that isnt going to apply in this case.
I wouldnt say that Nottingham is a mistake, there are candidates who dont have access to a classroom at all. Spouses who are trailing on a corporate expat package who happen to be in the right city of a cohort. Its not for everyone but its for some people.
It would depend what you actually taught and the letter from the IS. Is it an IB IS that offers DIP but you didnt teach in the DIP program, who is the leadership writing your letter? They are primarily interested in experience thats post qualification so it would be after you get the PGCEi, it would be different if if wasnt an IS if your experience was in a regulated (public/maintained) DS but that isnt going to apply in this case.
Re: Has anyone managed to get a QTS or US license with a PGC
@PsyGuy
Firstly, I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Please, let me know if you have any experience with TEA and Teachers of Tomorrow. TEA has encouraged me to register an account and go through the credential transfer process (through a 3rd . agency). They want to find out whether or not my degrees and experience are accepted by the the state of Texas. They said that they had several teachers who were based outside of the USA find employment in Texas after the credential transfer. I do understand that an English-Spanish degree might not be a desired one there, but I guess I'll give it a go anyway.
I was also offered a course by Teachers of Tomorrow which seems to lead to a Texas licence,but I have no idea (I am still researching) how it is different from the teach now courses and if I even need it after the Nottingham PGCEi. Do you happen to know much about them? Do you recommend them?
Firstly, I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Please, let me know if you have any experience with TEA and Teachers of Tomorrow. TEA has encouraged me to register an account and go through the credential transfer process (through a 3rd . agency). They want to find out whether or not my degrees and experience are accepted by the the state of Texas. They said that they had several teachers who were based outside of the USA find employment in Texas after the credential transfer. I do understand that an English-Spanish degree might not be a desired one there, but I guess I'll give it a go anyway.
I was also offered a course by Teachers of Tomorrow which seems to lead to a Texas licence,but I have no idea (I am still researching) how it is different from the teach now courses and if I even need it after the Nottingham PGCEi. Do you happen to know much about them? Do you recommend them?
Reply
@Elysium82
Yes, TEA is requiring you to go through an NACES evaluation to determine what youre UK qualifications are equivalent too.
Teachers of Tomorrow is a skills based pathway to a standard (professional grade) Texas teaching credential. They arent different from the DC Teach Now program in that both of them are skills based pathways. The Teach Now program is more globally accessible, they use the PRAXIS exam (available throughout the world) and you can do your field work OS. Teachers of Tomorrow uses the Texas specific exam (TeXas) and your relatively limited to doing your field experience in Texas and parts of Mexico. Teachers of Tomorrow would allow you do your field experience in any regulated (public/maintained) or private/independent DS in the state. You would only be able to do Teach Now in a private/independent DS in Texas (or any other state, as regulated DSs are going to require a regional, state specific license of some type thats usually only available through that states EPP/ITT providers). The difference, as it does in most cases, is the availability of field experience. Finding an IS to do Spanish in IE, for Teach Now for the 12 week field experience is essentially going to require you to have an appointment in an IS to do. For Teachers of Tomorrow you can either find a DS that will hire you on a paid one year internship to do your field experience or for about the same coin as Teach Now you can do clinical teaching for 14 weeks. Thats the other difference, Teach Now is a 9 month program. With Teachers of Tomorrow, if you go the 14 week clinical teaching route you will be done in about 4 month total. Lastly, Teachers of Tomorrow will require you to relocate, and live in Texas for about 4 months.
Yes, TEA is requiring you to go through an NACES evaluation to determine what youre UK qualifications are equivalent too.
Teachers of Tomorrow is a skills based pathway to a standard (professional grade) Texas teaching credential. They arent different from the DC Teach Now program in that both of them are skills based pathways. The Teach Now program is more globally accessible, they use the PRAXIS exam (available throughout the world) and you can do your field work OS. Teachers of Tomorrow uses the Texas specific exam (TeXas) and your relatively limited to doing your field experience in Texas and parts of Mexico. Teachers of Tomorrow would allow you do your field experience in any regulated (public/maintained) or private/independent DS in the state. You would only be able to do Teach Now in a private/independent DS in Texas (or any other state, as regulated DSs are going to require a regional, state specific license of some type thats usually only available through that states EPP/ITT providers). The difference, as it does in most cases, is the availability of field experience. Finding an IS to do Spanish in IE, for Teach Now for the 12 week field experience is essentially going to require you to have an appointment in an IS to do. For Teachers of Tomorrow you can either find a DS that will hire you on a paid one year internship to do your field experience or for about the same coin as Teach Now you can do clinical teaching for 14 weeks. Thats the other difference, Teach Now is a 9 month program. With Teachers of Tomorrow, if you go the 14 week clinical teaching route you will be done in about 4 month total. Lastly, Teachers of Tomorrow will require you to relocate, and live in Texas for about 4 months.