is it possible to become an english teacher if you didn't complete high school?

Question

i'm getting my ged. i want to go to college to become an english teacher. it feels a little contradicting to me to become a teacher with a ged since i didn't complete school myself.. :/ am i being foolish? haha. i mean i left school because of medical problems and i was out so much.. so i don't know. help?

Well, I was interested in teaching middle school or high school. I live in New Jersey, but I may be moving up to Montreal.

Thank you to those who actually bothered to help me out. :)

Answer 1

Once you complete your GED, you can go on an apply to college/university. It might seem contradictory to go into the teaching profession when you haven't followed the traditional educational path. But on the other hand, you could bring a different perspective to the profession because of the "non-traditional" experience you have had. It all depends on how you perceive it. Your experiences and insights will be different than that of teachers who went through the conventional path to teaching. There's no right and wrong to it. Each type of teacher will be able to relate to different types of students. So they are all valuable in that they can inspire or relate to their students to create learning opportunities.

You didn't say where you live or intend to study to become an English teacher. It also is important to know at which level (primary, secondary, or post-secondary---college/university) you hope to teach. These become important for you to better plan you future education. Primary and secondary teachers are licensed / credentialed by the state government (Dept of Education) where you study for your BA/BS. To find this, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SEA

Once you find the appropriate state Dept. of Education, visit their site and look up "teacher credentialing or licensing". This part of the site often tells you which colleges / universities in that state offer authorized teacher training programs. It also tells you the requirements to be credentialed in that state. And you should probably also look at the "standard" curriculum for English to get some insight as to what will be expected in terms of the teaching goals for English.

Keep in mind that since each state sets its own requirements for licensing, studying and completing your teacher training in one state does not automatically qualify you to teach in another state. You may still have to take more courses or pass additional tests to be fully licensed in another state.

If your goal is to teach English at the college level, a teaching license may not be needed. But that depends on the state and the type of college. Community colleges (2-year colleges) in some states may require a credential, but the process is usually not as rigid as a primary or secondary credential. Many community colleges require an MA/MS or higher with some teaching experience at the adult level. In 4-year colleges and universities often don't require a teaching credential), the starting point is often an MA/MS (master's degree) or PhD (doctorate).

If you have some favorite teachers or know of a good career counselor in your school, talk with them about the teaching profession. Find local area teacher association groups. Contact them and attend some meetings and get to talk with their members about your desire to teach and seek their insights. You may be surprised to find out how many teachers may NOT have followed a traditional path. Even if they did, as professionals, they are interested to nurture aspiring future teachers.

Self-selection and motivation are probably bigger factors in your successful pursuit of your goals. Don't get too bogged down with the GED vs traditional high school diploma. Completing either one is the first hurdle to your ultimate teaching goal.

As with any job, it is best done by those who have a passion for it. It doesn't matter what the job, if you truly love it, you do it with all your heart (live, breathe, eat, drink, sleep, think, dream it) and you will probably do that job better than the one who only goes in every day so they can have a pay check. So set your goal and persist until you attain it....and then, try to help and encourage others to do the same.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Answer 2

Certainly! Anything is possible! You have a GED, which is considered the same as a high school diploma! There are International schools looking for persons who can teach english as a second language. Of course you can always continue your education and upgrade! More credits go a long way and also volunteer work.

Answer 3

Find a college that offered Teaching English Course.

Answer 4

GED will get you into college just as a diploma will... go for it, just make sure when you get there in the classroom taht you dont teach those kids to hate things they dont understand, too much hate in this world. so much negativeness, people being donkey orifices, spewing their venom, when you get in that classroom be sure to mention to those kids that you are not more than 2000th cousin to anyone who is alive on this planet at this moment and that hate, only hurts the hater.

You would be a fine teacher as you would have had to fight harder to get there and then be more appreciative of the blessing you were given to be in that classroom.

Go for it.

Just dont teach the kids to hate America, or any other country, or to make assumptions, or misrepresent their animosity.
WHATEVER you do, dont teach the kids to justify their hatred and lack of manners with some bogus excuses.

Answer 5

You need a college degree to be a professional teacher, although I can't remember if it is an Associates degree or a Masters degree.

If you can get into college with a GED, I don't see why not.

Answer 6

It is never to late to catch up.
You can do much of it on your own; independent study.

While you prepare to get your GED there is nothing stopping you from taking English/grammar classes to get a head start.

The pre-test, and the GED will show you what area's you are pretty strong in, and what area's you may need to work on.

Two wonderful programs; our kids score very high on the language parts of admissions; are Applications of Grammar,
http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=grammarandspeech&uid=10321&returnURL=http%3A//ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/grammarandspeech

These books start at a 7th grade, and go to a 12th grade level; they are used mostly in home schooling, and by the 10th grade level it compares to about first year college level.

The other program is called Write Shop.
http://www.writeshop.com
Best writing program we have found.

Anyone can purchase these programs; they are great for self motivated independent students.

Do not let anyone tell you you "can't".

Good Luck..

Answer 7

You can get your bachelors in eled and masters in secondary so you can do both..

Answer 8

No, you will need a university degree to teach in most schools.

You can always finish your high school and get your degree if you want to even with various medical challenges. Talk to the various schools your interested in attending or that can cater to your specific needs.

Answer 9

a GED is the same as graduating HS, once you get your college degree you don't even have to list where you went to HS on your applications. It's like listing where you went to kinder garden, it's too far in the past to matter

Answer 10

u can stop feeling stupid..and head to college. lots of people get ged and go to college. that is commendable. good luck. i have a friend that is a social worker.. and she went to college with ged. she got ged and enrolled in college same day.