Do you need a qualification to teach a night class?

[ForMashGetSmash]

I was wondering this as I would like to start a creative writing class for adults. I have a degree...but not in creative writing! I am well published in women's magazines, have had a couple of plays performed and my comedy sketches have been aired on Radio 4 many times. I make a living writing articles for trade mags and web content...that's my bread and butter. I write the interesting/fun/poorly paid things when I have time.

But does this qualify me to teach? If you know me on here then you have probably seen my bad grammar and spelling...all I can say in my defence is that I can't be arsed to edit when I'm on here...it's my leisure time!

So if you know how it works could you please enlighten me? I was thinking in terms of a short course covering the basics of short fiction for starters...should I contact the local council to see if they have anything I could apply for at local colleges? Or just create my own thing?

I think you CAN do it without, but in order to have your course taken more seriously then you'd need an NVQ8, adult learning cert, this is a short course & easy to obtain, eves etc

I know I qualify to Lecture at Uni in my trade, thats despite my not having a degree in it, but a years of good working experience, so similar to your self & I have done a little degree course lecturing,

where as on the other hand, I know a Woman who teaches at 1 of the top fashion Uni's, & apart from part time Degree course work, she runs a lot of her own mini courses, She has never worked in the trade, no experience at all, & IMO quite lacking in knowledge (I'm forever getting e-mails off her asking advice on stuff IMO she should know) though she does have a degree in fashion, so that apparently qualifies her to teach it

& I had to laugh at your comments on grammar etc on here thats exactly as it SHOULD be, & my take on it too :)

good luck

That sounds sensible rocinhippy....it was a worry I have to say...that I wouldn't have the first idea how to create a lesson plan. Also I suppose an NVQ8 would prepare you for any odd stuationss which coud arise.

I'll look into it I think...thanks!

You could also look at the short PTTLS course (preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector). Often local councils run these. There is also a Certificate and Diploma which can be taken flexibly after completing the PTTLS. As far as I understand, PTTLS is the minimum requirement for FE colleges.

It's quick (I did one in a week) and covers lesson planning, setting objectives,differentiating work, short appraised teaching session etc.

Dh didn't need any sort of qualification to teach guitar as an evening class for the Comm Ed dept. Just a personal recommendation, brief interview, hey presto.

I don't see why you would.

If people get something out of it and are willing to pay, that's all you need.

(Dh was amazed at how much time he spent planning the lessons, though. Total drag.)

Oooh thanks Kammy...will look it up now. Yes pintyblud that's what worries me!

To teach long term in an FE college you will have to obtain qualified teacher status it's a statutory requirement. If you are taken on as a visiting tutor, however, it will be a condition of your employment and the College will fund it. They have to in order to comply with Ofsted requirements, etc.