Teaching English in the UK as a Canadian.

[stephaniehoffman]

I know they loved me when I taught English in Japan as part of the JET Program, but I am wondering if there is anywhere in the UK that would like to have me teach English? I wonder if the British would not be interested in having "Co lonial English". I hold a BA in English from Kwantlen University College, but I wonder how much that will be of value in the UK? I want to become a EU citizen and wish to become English as I am a Canadian citizen.

[Amaryah]

Hi Stephanie,

I'm a Canadian qualified teacher and have had a number of problems teaching here, even though I have an honours BA in English and Drama and a BEd in Secondary education. In the English system, schools have the option of paying me as a qualified or unqulified teacher despite the fact that in Ontario we go to university for a minimum of 5 years to teach secondary English whereas here it might be as little as three years post secondary education.

I am presently teaching Drama (covering a maternity leave)and I'm being paid as a qualified teacher, but I have been teaching in the UK for three years. In fact I've never taught in Canada at all. but that still doesn't matter.

Best wishes in finding employment as an English teacher here. it may be more difficult than in Japan.

Good Luck,

Amaryah

[Deus]

If you have a degree, get on your local Graduate Teacher Programme where you'll get uk qualified on the job, paid in as little as 2 terms. Then, no problem.

[Bumz]

Hello all!

I have a similar question and wondered if anyone could help me:

I am planning on moving to England permanently in about a year and a half. I am not a qualified teacher in England or here in Canada but I do have a degree in journalism. I applied to teachers college for this year and did not get in so I am reapplying for next year. I have been reading, though that a teaching degree from Canada won't make any difference as far as working there. Is this so? Will I have to go through the same process to become certified over there whether I go to school here or not? If so, it seems I should just save my money.

Also, I have been trying to find out more about teaching while earning your certification. This system seems very different and confusing to me. Anyone know how to go about doing this? I am a bit worried that over there you seem to require some sort of math-related certificate from high school that we didn't need here. In Canada, nobody seems to care what you took in high school as long as your university courses add up to enough teachable subjects.

Sorry for the huge question. I feel very lost and confused by all of this. Any advice would be a huge help.

Thanks!

[AngelKiri]

Just wanted to put my 2pence in

One of my best friends here in the UK is an elementary (primary) school teacher. She had to take courses for 3 years to get her qualifications and has to take out a student loan for £10,000 to pay for the courses which she is now repaying. Keeping in mind that Student Loans the UK offers are strictly for British Citizens, a Visa wont entitle you to those kinds of benefits (or any social assistance benefits. well most Visa's dont anyway).

So if your planning on getting your certification in teaching while over in the UK, you best look into your options and how you will be able to fund your stay/courses. I'm sure it's not impossible, but it will be more complicated then getting certified while in your home country (Canada).

I think the previous poster was saying that you will not necessarily be entitled to the same 'qualified' teacher pay just because you have a Canadian teaching qualification. I doubt you would be considered for teaching roles fresh off the boat/plane in the UK if you dont have ANY qualifications in teaching though.

Hope this helps with some of your questions, good luck

[stephaniehoffman]

Of course, I don't expect the British to bow down to my English skills like the Japanese did! England is the mother country! I expect to get the least mileage for my English skills from the British! But I do feel that having a Master's Degree in English from England will do me good. I don't expect any red carpets like I would should I teach in Asia!

[Deus]

again, read my answer.