I have just finished my application and want to know really how much work is involved - i know people who have done it years ago but want an update on todays courses!
2007-01-28 20:37:04 · 4 answers · asked by kee 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I finished in September. The course is intensive, as anyone will tell you. There were times when we handed in an essay every week or so, you just had to move on to the next one, as soon as one was done with. I found it hard at firsdt as I'd been working for a while and so wasn't used to working in my own time at home. Placement is exhausting work when you begin as well, but you do get used to it by the end and most of us were 'winging' it without lesson plans once our final assessment was over!
The hardest thing by far is getting a job once you are done. I'm not working as a teacher and doubt I ever will be. You need to be able to move inner city if you really want a job, if you have a partner/ kids this is not always possible and you should be prepared for that.
2007-01-28 20:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like anything worthwhile, there is always hard work involved. I did my PGCE 4 years ago while I was pregnant, and it was extremely hard - not because of the pregnancy, but because of the sheer volume of paperwork that must be got through. There is the large volume of books and course-related material to be read and understood (the different methodologies to be considered for example), there is your lesson plans and the background research you will have to do for them, then there is the marking and assessing to be done, and there is what's called 'reflection' - working out how successful your approach has been. And finally there is your dissertation, with its background reading, source reading and finished product to be considered.
You will also be placed in schools and expected to take on more and more teaching as the term progresses - this builds up to about 2/3 of the curricular week towards the end of your year.
it is hard work, I can't lie, but if teaching is your vocation, then it will be worth it in the end. Having involvement with the future of the young people of this country, knowing that you have 'made a difference' and contributed to society, plus the 6 week summer holiday (!) will be reward in itself. Best of luck.
2007-01-29 04:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by Roxy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I havent done this course but hubby is a teacher. He did the PGCE and found it a lot of work! He liked the teaching practice but found the theory horrendous!
But he loves his job and it was worth it.
For those who cant get a job. My advice is get some supply teaching and this will keep you in teaching. Then this will give you some experience for long term post.
Other thing is maybe consider teaching abroad. There are always International schools advertising this time of year in the TES. They may require two years experience but if you can built up with supply work this may be a way of getting long term post.
International Schools are all over the world and are usually teaching UK national curriculum.
Good Luck with the PGCE its hard work but worth it.
PS. Scotland may be recruiting teachers and are wanting more people to train if your willing to travel.
2007-01-29 05:02:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, doing the course right now. The one I do gives you essentially half of an M.ed. This means lots of (I think) meaningless assignments on research, theory etc rather than the useful stuff that you can actually do at school in front of a class. Students I have met from other universities do more practical and informative assignments. Bear this in mind, I hadn't a clue when I started out!
2007-01-29 17:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by horsemonkey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋