Retraining as ESOL tutor

[goteam]

Inspired by another thread I have been looking into becoming an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutor. It's something I began looking into and abandoned a few years ago as it seemed like training would take a long time and a lot of money. I have seen CELTA courses advertised but all the jobs I have looked at over the past few years ask for an additional teaching diploma such as a PGCE or DTLLS. This is for local authority and FE jobs. Has anybody trained in this area who could advise? Obviously doing both courses would take forever and this puts me off...

[DianaT1969]

I don't believe there are many jobs in the UK now for CELTA only qualified teachers. Most of the private language schools shrank in size or closed down while Theresa May was at the Home Office. Overseas students requiring visas were funnelled towards universities instead. Universities provide foundation years for English (IELTS/CAE) but may indeed require teachers to have a DELTA or other higher ed teaching qualification.
My Ex managed a language college around 10 years ago and his colleagues who loved teaching had to leave the profession as there just wasn't enough work. With less Chinese students likely to come to the UK in the next 2 years, I don't see that improving.

[goteam]

Ah @DianaT1969 that's interesting. So the CELTA alone is more for private language schools. Interesting that work is shri king. I'm in Lindon and see quite a lot of jobs but mostly part time. That is what I want though.

[TheCanterburyWhales]

Most private language schools will take Celta qualified teachers for short term (generally) summer jobs. I am in management for a language school and I'd say about 95% of the summer staff have "only" Celta. You won't get taken on anywhere reputable (ie recognised by the British Council or English UK) without one. Many of our summer teachers are straight off Celta and we are their first job.

You've kind of picked a bugger of a time to be thinking about doing it in the UK tbh, Brexit will mean fewer Eastern European and Italian/Spanish adults coming over (eventually) for work who are the clients at most local authority run courses. And of course this summer has blown up in our faces and won't be happening. Maybe next year. The Asians will come back and will probably be the first to do so, as they are temperamentally less nervous about all things health wise. My school is possibly opening up in August only for the Chinese/Japanese/Korean market.

You need a Celta under your belt whether or not you have a PGCE. Used to be the case that a school would take a PGCE qualified teacher without a Celta but the British Council (who inspect) don't like that-we now have to write rationale reports for non Celta teachers.

It's a work your way up job. You're unlikely to get anywhere other than private language schools until you've got experience.

If you want some experience without a qualification, some of the thousands of online places take native speakers. You're given crib sheets for lessons that you basically read from. They are interested in young and energetic teachers.

[Devlesko]

There are several lower level teaching certificates that only take a couple of terms. A PgCE requires a Degree and further study in education. Mine includes 180 masters credits.
There's a huge gap in between.

[goteam]

@TheCanterburyWhales I get what you mean about timing! This is the first chance in ages I have been able to take some time to think about retraining.

@Devlesko I will look at the lower level teaching qualifications. Thanks.

[MaybeDoctor]

Have a look at City & Guilds Award in Education and Training - previously known as PTTLS.

You can do it at a local college in about 10 weeks. It is a basic teaching certificate that opens the door to jobs in FE and training. It is the first step on the way to DTTLS.

[goteam]

Thanks @MaybeDoctor will do.