Globalisation brings people together from all walks of life. This trend has increased the demand for language schools across the world. Aspiring language teachers can start their careers by getting relevant qualifications.
Citizens in the UK would need to be fluent in English and in the target language that they will be teaching. A bachelor’s degree in education or an equivalent qualification may be enough to get you a full-time teaching position. Upon completing the degree, you would need to get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from the relevant teacher’s association.
Universities and other educational institutions run Initial Teacher Training (ITET) programmes to help individuals with the process of becoming a teacher. Bachelor’s degrees on their own won’t always allow aspiring teachers to get their foot on the door. There are still ways to land a teaching job by engaging in postgraduate studies.
Graduates can apply for an additional qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This qualification can be pursued upon completing an accredited bachelor’s degree in the language of teaching.
Postgraduates that do not hold a degree in language can still become a teacher if they have fluency in the language they wish to teach. These individuals will then need to pass a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course to boost their knowledge of the language.
Teaching degrees and the PGCE certificate run practical programmes where new teachers get immersed in the classroom environment. Experience is at the core of successful teaching. It is essential that teachers have experience, especially when teaching a specific age group.
The UK government requires teachers to have at least 2 weeks of classroom experience before they can attain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Practical experience demonstrates an individual’s teaching skills.
Teachers need to have the ability to manage the classroom on their own. Teaching roles can be challenging but extremely rewarding. The key roles of a language teacher may include teaching practical classes, lesson planning, and testing performance through tests and examinations.
Teachers in the UK can earn upward of £25,000 annually. Teachers can get higher-paying jobs if they get more experience or take on leadership roles.