Hi Psyguy,

I already have a second language to offer - French, my point was just that this could not be my main language due to my current level. So, it would have to be Spanish as the main language (with French at a lower level).

I guess I might just end up getting the PGCE and doing TEFL right after, considering that’s what I have experience in and have an MA in TESOL. I totally understand it’s harder getting your induction year if you leave it. But, I mean I could always at least come back 2-3 years later and complete it.

To be honest, I’d be more than happy getting into the HK NET programme. English is my native language and deep down I don’t want to teach Spanish/French it was just to get more qualifications and thought well maybe if I got a decent IS job teaching Spanish/French, why not. But, I see from what you say without completing induction year it’s not likely to happen.

Curiously, doing the PGCE in NI would cost me MORE money! I am eligible for a bursary in England that would comfortably cover fees/accommodation/travel/food, whereas in NI although fees are less and I’d be living at home I’d have to dip into my savings for transport/general fees. Ultimately, I think it’s best doing it in England for several reasons and for what you mention.

>>>> The HK.NET program isnt going to make a distinction between NQT/QTS, etc.

Do you mean here, they won’t make a difference between me having a PGCE but not having completed the induction year? I know for their programme your salary stops on the scale after a few times if you don't have a PGCE.


Thanks again for the advice,
Kevin

Thanks for the advice PsyGuy, it’s appreciated!

I'm a bit confused about this QTS thing. So, it's almost like a second QTS in the induction year that confirms you really have QTS? Something like that?

I did see that before about doing your NQT year in a British school overseas, which really appeals to me as an alternative to the induction year in the UK(someone who did their PGCE in NI would still technically apply for this though I’d imagine), but as I see it there are 2 problems: finding a school registered with COBIS to officially offer NQT induction year

1 That actually has Spanish on the curriculum (my French isn’t strong enough as lead subject and on top of that I don’t really have enough passion for this language). Thus you'd have to go through all those on the official list (there are about 35 at present and only about a dozen that interest me) and deduct all that don't offer Spanish on their curriculum which probably reduces it drastically.

2 That has an open position for said subject

But, maybe if I got lucky, that would definitely be something I would be interested in doing. My point in comparing FL with maths etc is that in general my chances of International schools aren’t really THAT high, thus my thinking is just to get licensed as a springboard to other things.

I totally agree with you that I should complete the NQT 1st year in England, but I’m really doing the PGCE itself at a push and really don’t want to stick around, thus the above option of NQT abroad, if incredibly lucky would be the best alternative. Or another option is maybe return to the UK in a few years to do it. Maybe I sound stubborn, haha, but I just don’t feel like staying in the UK another year to do an induction year.

Thanks a lot for the replies.

It would be teaching Spanish, with French to a lower level.

In Northern Ireland (NI) there is no shortage of state school teachers, whereas in England there is a major shortage, so that's probably why Shadowjack. In NI, it's said to be verging on the impossible if you're a newly qualified teacher to find work there.

Anyway, my plan is something like this: get the PGCE along with QTS, either in NI or England (I have already checked that QTS is definitely included in both courses), then leave immediately for Asia (I have zero desire to stick around UK after my PGCE and work a few years) and either find work in an international school or teach English. However, as I won't stick around in UK I don't think I could get a good job in an international school. I imagine they require people with at least 2 years+ post PGCE experience in their home country and frankly I don't want to do that (I'm knocking on a bit and want to try out Asia, find a wife and so on).

Furthermore, I don't think there would be that many openings for Spanish, if we compare it to subjects like Maths, Science and so on (right?). My main motivation for the PGCE is to use it indirectly and get a job in a programme called HK NET (teaching in state schools in Hong Kong). This is a very competitive job and being a licensed teacher gives you a better chance of being chosen. But, of course if I could get a decent international school job why not? I am just being realistic that for decent international school jobs they probably want to see a good few years of home country experience (as I say I'm not prepared to do that). With the financial support it means being able to get licensed for free if anyone's wondering why I'm going to this bother of getting something I might not even use directly.

Essentially, I don't mind if I don't end up in an international school but just wondered in case I did apply for one and realise having done it in NI was seen as not as "good" as say England due to the slight curriculum difference.

Oh regarding the money, you'd probably be surprised how high the financial support in England is (almost like a salary), so if I did it in England I'd not have a single debt. In NI, although the actual PGCE fee is a lot cheaper and covered by a grant, there is no extra financial support like England for living costs, however, I'd live at home in NI so those costs would be limited in the main to transport, which over 10 months won't be that much so I have savings to cover that easily.

Hi all,

I come from Northern Ireland and have been offered a place, both in my country, as well as in England, to train to become a licensed teacher, so I'm considering which one to choose. The curriculum in both countries is very similar with some minor differences; however, I was wondering, do people think that employers would view a PGCE done in England as more 'desired' than one done in Northern Ireland or would they view them as equal? I really ask this because maybe a British school might prefer someone more familiar with the English curriculum rather than the N.Ireland one (however, as I say, at the end of the day they are pretty similar).

I can get a big grant to do it in England, but would prefer to do it in Northern Ireland even though there is no big grant so am trying to look at the pros and cons of doing it in my country in order to decide. In short, I wonder would doing it in both countries have same "value" for teaching in an international school?


Thanks a lot in advance,
Kevin