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Original poster

How to become a teacher? - advices please!

16 replies

Inmap · 05/10/2015 14:14

Hi everyone,
I would like to become an early years - primary teacher.
I have a Spanish degree in marketing and advertising, could I validate this in UK? Which courses or certificate do I need to get? how long it would take me? I have been doing some searching but nothing clear about where to start.
It would be great and very helpful if someone working as a teacher could tell me their experiences as I love children but I am not aware about how hard this can be.
I am a full time worker mum and that is the main reason why I would like to change my carer, to keep working full time but have more chances to be with my daughter. Now I am insurance broker and I barely can see her before go to bed.
I know that teacher sometimes need to work longer hours, but not everyday day of the week right?

I am really looking forward to hear from you,

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:
futureme · 05/10/2015 14:15

You will work long hours in term time and spend a lot of evenings and weekends working. BUT you will have time in the holidays to spend with your daughter whcih may balance it out.

Original poster
Inmap · 05/10/2015 14:21

Definitely it will be more than enough.
Could you tell me any tips from where should I start?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Tiggeryoubastard · 05/10/2015 14:23

Your English is great, but to be a teacher you would need to improve it.

hollieberrie · 05/10/2015 14:26

Don't do it! Wink

Kidding but you do need to be sure - the training and first couple of years are very intense and you will be working long hours - no way round it.

It does get easier after that as you know what you're doing & planning & preparation takes you a bit less time.

Then my advice would be go part time in order to maintain a reasonable work life balance!

Seriously though it is great fun and very rewarding if you're sure it's for you.
First Steps would be :

  • do some work experience in a local school - you will have to do this to get onto a pgce course anyway and it's a good opportunity to see what the job is really like.
  • contact training providers to check that your degree would be accepted for you to do the 1 year pgce course. I don't see why it wouldn't be - but not sure of the rules about degrees obtained abroad.

Good luck!

PurpleDaisies · 05/10/2015 14:28

Primary teaching is hard to get in to-lots of people apply so there's a lot of competition.

The first thing I'd say is you need work experience, ideally in a primary school for as long as possible. This world give you a better idea of the job is right for you. I really question your motivation from your op-teaching is a really hard job and if you only want to do it for the holidays you'll last five minutes.

You could approach a few universities and see whether your Spanish degree would satisfy their entry requirements. Mfl is an advantage for primary, but you might need to sit GCSE English and maths if you don't have equivalents.

hollieberrie · 05/10/2015 14:29

I wouldn't worry about your English - sounds fine to me and we have several non native English speakers at my school who are great teachers even without perfect grammar etc. For early years you'll be fine.

noblegiraffe · 05/10/2015 14:30

Teachers do work long hours term time, don't assume that teaching would mean that you would see your daughter any more in the evenings, and you might even see her less at the weekends. The training year is particularly tough, and then your NQT year is very hard too.

Primary is quite competitive depending on where in the country you are, so you could train and then find yourself without a job. Check out the TES jobs website for your area to see what the job situation is.

No idea if your degree would get you onto a PGCE, you could contact your local training providers and ask.

Why not volunteer to help in a local primary school to see what it's like?

LisbethSalandersLaptop · 05/10/2015 14:32

There is nothing wrong with OP's English for teaching.
Just saying.
OP, what about MFL at secondary level?

KittyandTeal · 05/10/2015 14:36

I imagine you will be fine converting your degree. You may need to take English and maths equivalence tests.

If you want to teach because you love children and are passionate about creating the best life chances for them then it's definitely the job for you. If you want to do it to spend more time with your dd then it won't be the job for you.

I teach ey part time. I work 2/3 days for a few hours on the days I have off. My working days I'm in school at 7.30 and leave at 5 (which is early compared to when I was full time and co pared to work mates but my I have to get home for my dd)

My dm looks after dd when I work as I have no childcare around me that starts early enough for me to get to school on time.

I love my job but it is full on and hard work. I am lucky that my job share actually works full time but is out of class on my days so she does most of the admin/ data stuff. There is absolutely no way I would be able to do my job full time and spend decent time with my dd (apart from holidays)

Original poster
Inmap · 05/10/2015 15:17

Thank you very much, you are being very helpful! - Yes, MFL is an option for me but the process is the same right? I will def contact training providers to check if my degree can be accepted.

OP posts:
LisbethSalandersLaptop · 05/10/2015 15:17

I am not sure Inmap, but I have heard there is a shortage of MFL teachers.

Original poster
Inmap · 05/10/2015 15:21

Great! I will have a look then!

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 05/10/2015 15:21

When was the last time you were in a classroom op?

Original poster
Inmap · 05/10/2015 15:37

I finished School 8 years ago then 5 years in Uni.
During the last 2 years of school I did a volunteer in primary schools in tough areas where the children were quite difficult, I was assisting and helping the teacher. This gave me a great experience , so i know what is being in a classroom full of children but i don't know what is being a teacher because I only was assisting and helping.

OP posts:
ItchyArmpit · 06/10/2015 18:23

Re: working hours. You will have longer holidays, but during term time you can expect to be doing 50 - 60 hours a week. Most schools have after-school meetings at least once a week, plus twilight training sessions. Parents' evenings as well. The vast majority of teachers have to devote at least half a day over the weekend to planning and marking at home. You will not be allowed to take time off during term-time unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.

It is possible to switch between primary and secondary after you have qualified, but it is not usual. Try to get experience volunteering in both before you decide.

Start your research here:-

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

ktkaye · 06/10/2015 18:39

Teach First offer a great training program for graduates and if you are accepted they will place you in a school where you will be paid a wage while you train. It's full
time study and full
time work, which is tough but can be done! I took this route in to teaching and qualified in the summer. Try their website for more info x

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