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Am I wasting my time thinking of becoming a teacher?
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 13:15
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So, I hear they are going to cut another few thousand jobs. I have been thinking of the Dip the last few years. Granted I`d be 35 if I did it next year, and it`s basically the last throw of the dice for me.
I`m arsing around in the freelance world, but want to put my languages to use. Teaching would be the obvious way. However, I fear I`ll do the Dip and be straight to the dole queue..
Anyone doing it at the moment as a mature student? What are your thoughts?
Barry
(492 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 13:20
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No you`re not.
Even if you don`t get a job here,from what I hear,you`ll never be short of a decent job in UK or further afield.
Good luck!
wibbly wobbly wonder
(967 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 13:36
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I`m not a teacher but there was a demand for Science and Maths teachers a few years ago. If you have languages and want to teach you should also be in demand.
Also find out if the hdip would be recognised in any other EU countries so you are not tied to Ireland after your finished. Also you might not even need a Hdip to get a job abroad if its languages your into.
Hitch
(3,644 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 15:41
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Originally posted by cowpat:
Am I wasting my time thinking of becoming a teacher?
Can you say "what`s in it for me?" as Gaeilge.
If you can ,,,go for it.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 16:26
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Well Hitch, tá Gaeilge agam, ach according to the Teaching Council it`s not up to scratch. I did it for my undergrad years ago, but teachers have told me the fact I have it would also be an advantage. I would officially be able to study French and English as a foreign language for the Dip. I also speak Italian (or eyetalan as the irish say ) quite well but I don`t have any qualification in Italian........
Katanga
(5 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:04
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Send in your CV to a few schools. Go and talk to the principals and offer your services free as a language coach for leaving certs doing orals.
It will give you an introduction to it.
Languages are in demand, especially Irish, German and French. You would certainly not be short of work, even if an actual full time job would be a bit away.
Most principals wouldn`t care what the teaching council say, once you are registered for something and can be paid. They will put you teaching whatever you can teach.
Try it out.
sambomcnaughton
(347 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:04
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I do know someone that recently finished his teaching practice in England and is now at home here on the dole. Teaching seemed to be one of those careers that every Tom, Dick and Harry wanted to do during the past few years but now there are too many qualified with not enough jobs to go round (unless you have pull ) . But if its what you want to do then don`t let anyone stop you.
ballygowan
(1,987 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:08
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Go to the UK, do the PGCE & get a couple of years experience, come back home, et voila, the world will be your oyster.
dubliner 2
(10,823 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:09
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Originally posted by Katanga:
Send in your CV to a few schools. Go and talk to the principals and offer your services free as a language coach for leaving certs doing orals.
It will give you an introduction to it.
Languages are in demand, especially Irish, German and French. You would certainly not be short of work, even if an actual full time job would be a bit away.
Most principals wouldn`t care what the teaching council say, once you are registered for something and can be paid. They will put you teaching whatever you can teach.
Try it out.
Principals might not care but the Department do. The Teaching Council is becoming more and more of a force and a nuisance. If your qualifications are not up to scratch and you remain unregistered then you won`t get paid.
We had some part time work going this year, barely half hours. Over two hundred applicants for three spots, all language posts so it would not be true to say that there`s a demand for language teachers, at least in traditional schools.
Permanent jobs will be at a premium in the future. So will temporary ones bearing in mind so many are coming on the market each year. If you are prepared to go abroad then go for it but otherwise it is not a profession that is going to offer too much for the next five years at least.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:17
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That`s a great suggestion Katanga. I will follow that up and suss it out.
As it happens, a full time position may not suit me, so even part time hours would be good. I have my finger in a few pies at the moment that could still be in operation even with part time hours. However, I am thinking ahead here, and not just of the next year or so. If someone asked me what I`d like to be doing when I am 50, it`s not what I am currently doing.
When I sit down and think about what I want to do, the area of teaching always crops up, but I never go through with it.
Now, I am also thinking of the "market", and that it is saturated. I went back to do a post grad in my mid 20s in technical writing. The @rse fell out of that in Ireland, so I would like to at least make sure the next decision I make is a good one.
A year out in college in your 30s is a big sacrifice in my opinion, so it would want to be the right decision. I do like languages, and that`s what it always comes back to...
Katanga
(5 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:26
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The TC are an awful bunch to deal with, but if they will recognise you for something, then you can be paid by the department.
Did you say they will recognise you for French? That`s a good subject to have. Recognition is the big thing, you could end up teaching a lot of things after that.
Gt into a school for free. Obviously you need to get the dip, so if you find you like it, bite the bullet and do it.
If you have a relationship with a few schools, then that would help. That immediately puts you ahead of the 200 unknown applicants that Dubliner mentioned.
Its tough out there and there are no guarantees, but if you have flexibility in your current role, you could perhaps combine the two and see where it takes you.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:34
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Hi Katanga,
I studied Euro Studies - French and Gaeilge as my undergrad, but Gaeilge is no longer recognised on this course by the Teaching Council. French is, so I could save money, do the Dip in Limerick, and choose French and EFL as my two subject options.
So, I still have Gaeilge, though not recognised. I also speak Italian to a high level, not sure if it`s much use these days in schools, and have very basic Spanish.
I taught English abroad for 2 years so have a reasonable idea of what goes on in a classroom.
My only hitch is having the confidence to control 30 teenagers....
carryharry
(4,804 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:39
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Originally posted by cowpat:
Am I wasting my time thinking of becoming a teacher?
2 answers,
1. Yes if you want to teach in Ireland.
2. No, if your willing to leave Ireland.
Best of luck with it lad.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:41
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not looking good then..... :/
I could - off out of the country as it is, and get a job doing what I`m doing......
Katanga
(5 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:41
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Originally posted by cowpat:
Hi Katanga,
I studied Euro Studies - French and Gaeilge as my undergrad, but Gaeilge is no longer recognised on this course by the Teaching Council. French is, so I could save money, do the Dip in Limerick, and choose French and EFL as my two subject options.
So, I still have Gaeilge, though not recognised. I also speak Italian to a high level, not sure if it`s much use these days in schools, and have very basic Spanish.
I taught English abroad for 2 years so have a reasonable idea of what goes on in a classroom.
My only hitch is having the confidence to control 30 teenagers....
The teaching council will allow you to do extra modules to bring your Irish up to the grade. Figure out what these are. You might just need to do a couple of classes for a semester. Maybe even during the dip.
There is no doubt that things are grim out there, but where there`s a will, there`s a way. Teachers are still carving out openings for themselves at the moment.
Controlling a class is fine once you are organised and you remain calm.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:46
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The TC got back, told me the subject wasn`t recognised, but never told me what I had to do bring it up to the required level. I have gotten back to them and no joy........
I have gotten in touch with a few teacher already just to get their opinions. One of them went back to do a Dip about 6 years ago, and loves it. I spoke to him this time last year and he reckoned I`d still have a good chance with languages...
South Limerick Referee
(16,613 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:50
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My brother is secondary and has history business and economics but he is only getting bits of subbing here and there. I am Primary, and have got stints here and there, the latest stint being the longest because it will last well into next year, but nothing permanent.
If you want it that badly, get the qualification, but there is no certainty as regards the job situation. But whatever hope you have, you have to be qualified. The days are gone for getting unqualified work as a sub. I subbed for a year while also doing the Hibernia Teaching course, but those days are gone.
Katanga
(5 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 17:50
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Originally posted by cowpat:
The TC got back, told me the subject wasn`t recognised, but never told me what I had to do bring it up to the required level. I have gotten back to them and no joy........
I have gotten in touch with a few teacher already just to get their opinions. One of them went back to do a Dip about 6 years ago, and loves it. I spoke to him this time last year and he reckoned I`d still have a good chance with languages...
Where are you based?
If you have a lot of Irish as an undergrad, you can certainly bring it up to the required level. Keep at them.
It is a fantastic job to be honest.
BraveArse
(1,030 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 18:37
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Originally posted by cowpat:
Hi Katanga,
I studied Euro Studies - French and Gaeilge as my undergrad, but Gaeilge is no longer recognised on this course by the Teaching Council. French is, so I could save money, do the Dip in Limerick, and choose French and EFL as my two subject options.
So, I still have Gaeilge, though not recognised. I also speak Italian to a high level, not sure if it`s much use these days in schools, and have very basic Spanish.
I taught English abroad for 2 years so have a reasonable idea of what goes on in a classroom.
My only hitch is having the confidence to control 30 teenagers....
A key point there in your last comment cowpat. If you cant control them, as many cant, your life will be hell on earth. So i strongly advise you do some sub teaching first to see how it goes, else the Dip is a waste of time from the start.
The Educator
(340 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 18:43
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If you`re ok with getting ridiculed at every opportunity by those who benefited hugely during the boom years, but are now down on their luck then consider it. Not that easy to get permanency, which is the key in the profession. I`m teaching with people who have been at it for over 10 years and still are not classed permanent.
You need a thick skin for the classroom and internet forums. Oh and you need at least 7 houses that you are renting out. Otherwise don`t bother cause you`d have nothing to talk to your colleagues about at break time or when you`re relaxing in Bermuda for 12 weeks.
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 19:39
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Well, I`m in Limerick, and things can`t get any more uncertain than what I`m doing now.
Yeah, controlling a classroom, that`s the only thing that`s stopping me. I have a fear that I will crash and burn.
When I taught English, some of the students there didn`t give a shi&te so I found it hard to separate those who cared from those who didn`t.........
manfromdelmonte
(2,268 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 19:57
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Ah, the Teaching Council...
sucking money out of teachers to provide an extra layer of bureaucracy and `self regulation` for no apparent reason (the Department of Ed washing their hands of all responsibilites )
and giving lots of ex teachers, principals and inspectors a chance to go to meetings and conferences up and down thhe country and abroad, and clock up expenses and mileage
Oh, and making most teachers lives as difficult as possible in terms of recognition, applying for jobs and getting paid for that work
dubliner 2
(10,823 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 20:05
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Originally posted by manfromdelmonte:
Ah, the Teaching Council...
sucking money out of teachers to provide an extra layer of bureaucracy and `self regulation` for no apparent reason (the Department of Ed washing their hands of all responsibilites )
and giving lots of ex teachers, principals and inspectors a chance to go to meetings and conferences up and down thhe country and abroad, and clock up expenses and mileage
Oh, and making most teachers lives as difficult as possible in terms of recognition, applying for jobs and getting paid for that work
+1
And fully supported by the unions. Just another way for the top echelons to get some more of the gravy. And the idea that if you`re not registered/refuse to pay the fee means you don`t get paid is beautifully facist.
And I wonder will the ASTI et al stand up against assessing your own pupils now that Quinn has put that on the agenda with the reformed Junior Cert. It is a cornerstone policy apparently but it wouldn`t surprise me at all if they bent over once more and allowed their members to be screwed one more time.
magpie
(3,269 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 22:49
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Originally posted by cowpat:
So, I hear they are going to cut another few thousand jobs. I have been thinking of the Dip the last few years. Granted I`d be 35 if I did it next year, and it`s basically the last throw of the dice for me.
I`m arsing around in the freelance world, but want to put my languages to use. Teaching would be the obvious way. However, I fear I`ll do the Dip and be straight to the dole queue..
Anyone doing it at the moment as a mature student? What are your thoughts?
Are you any good at geography cowpat?
cowpat
(1,540 Posts)
Posted:
07-Nov-2011 23:49
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How do you mean magpie. I have a good general knowledge of geography, I`d like to think so anyways......
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