I've read over some of the topics and they offered some great information. I'd like to lay out my current situation in the hope that you guys can offer some suggestions.
I'm a History graduate who moved abroad to gain some teaching experience. I spent a year in the TEFL circuit while volunteering for a top tier international school. The IS offered me an EAL position and I am now in my second year, however, I have no teaching credentials to speak of so I signed up for the PGCEi at Nottingham. I looked into returning home to complete the PGCE but for now it's not an option.
By December 2016 I will have a PGCEi plus two and a half years prior experience in EAL at a top tier school. As far as I'm aware it's post PGCEi experience that counts, or is it different if the experience is at a respected IS?
While there are a few classroom teachers who hold a PGCEI my employer no longer accepts it and there is an ongoing debate among colleagues about its worth with regards to career progression; it used to be good but not so much anymore. However, after reading this and other forums, I believe it depends on what you want to do with it.
With regards to my own circumstances, I don't want to teach at a top international school. I think this makes the PGCEi more marketable in terms of which level of school I'd be aiming for. I'd also be applying for elementary positions.
When my next contract ends, if I leave my current school with a PGCEi and 4 years EAL experience ( 2 1/2 prior, 18 months post) then it should open the door to higher 3rd tier and some 2nd tier elementary positions. If I had the chance I'd throw my hat into the ring for a History position.
Any advice would be appreciated.
PGCEi Plus EAL Experience
Response
ESOL experience is generally poison, if you have a professional qualification, are at a respected, accredited IS and whatever else the recruiter wants than it can count. So many recruiters have had problems with ESOL teachers/instructors. Most of them dont want to touch it if the experience isnt from an IS well known in IE.
Some ISs will count pre-certification experience, it depends on the IS, and the position, and the tasking, and the demand. In general however, no only post certification experience counts, and that invariable makes you cheaper which is a primary consideration for lower tier ISs.
The PGCEi is a working credential at lower tier ISs, and a lot depends on the factors. Are they a British IS or an IS offering a British curriculum? What are their goals. How competitive are they?
The other issue is what you can do with it, such as apply for a US certification using the PGCEi and then taking the US certification and applying for QTS.
You dont have 4 years experience you have a year and a half, which doesnt even meet the 2 year standard experience for an entry class IT. You can spin it, but your going to be looking at 3rd tier ISs that are desperate, and few ISs are desperate for an elementary IT.
Find an IB IS/DS and spend a year or two actually teaching PYP (while getting trained at the same time) and you become marketable.
Some ISs will count pre-certification experience, it depends on the IS, and the position, and the tasking, and the demand. In general however, no only post certification experience counts, and that invariable makes you cheaper which is a primary consideration for lower tier ISs.
The PGCEi is a working credential at lower tier ISs, and a lot depends on the factors. Are they a British IS or an IS offering a British curriculum? What are their goals. How competitive are they?
The other issue is what you can do with it, such as apply for a US certification using the PGCEi and then taking the US certification and applying for QTS.
You dont have 4 years experience you have a year and a half, which doesnt even meet the 2 year standard experience for an entry class IT. You can spin it, but your going to be looking at 3rd tier ISs that are desperate, and few ISs are desperate for an elementary IT.
Find an IB IS/DS and spend a year or two actually teaching PYP (while getting trained at the same time) and you become marketable.