Teaching in the UK - Page 3 - Ajarn Forum

My_Kow_Lope · 17th February 2007, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Had a friend got a job in Slough - left after first class first day (BTW he was an experiennced teacher in Aus of 15 years or something - so not a newbie)

15 years experience and he picked a school so bad that he quit after one day?

I'm only a run of the mill esl teacher with 3 years experience here in Thailand. However when choosing a new job in the future I shall make sure to do my homework before ever signing on the dotted line. If I made a decision like your friend then I'd blame myself, not the school or students.

There's so much negativity on here about schools and students. It's very easy to blame the school and students for every bad class/day you have. What about the teachers themselves though? How many teachers actually put 100% effort,care and preperation into their jobs and students? Those that do are usually the ones that have less disciplinary and behavioural problems. If there are problems then go ahead and sort them out, that's what you're being paid to do afterall. Don't just sit there and whine about everything.

PS. Paully already pmed you. Cheers.

kingwilly · 17th February 2007, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by My_Kow_Lope

15 years experience and he picked a school so bad that he quit after one day?

I'm only a run of the mill esl teacher with 3 years experience here in Thailand. However when choosing a new job in the future I shall make sure to do my homework before ever signing on the dotted line. If I made a decision like your friend then I'd blame myself, not the school or students.

There's so much negativity on here about schools and students. It's very easy to blame the school and students for every bad class/day you have. What about the teachers themselves though? How many teachers actually put 100% effort,care and preperation into their jobs and students? Those that do are usually the ones that have less disciplinary and behavioural problems. If there are problems then go ahead and sort them out, that's what you're being paid to do afterall. Don't just sit there and whine about everything.

PS. Paully already pmed you. Cheers.

no, he didnt even do one day.

ya sound a little bright eyed and bushy tailed mate. ya have a point, but.

My_Kow_Lope · 17th February 2007, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingwilly

ya sound a little bright eyed and bushy tailed mate. ya have a point, but.

Sorry for being enthusiastic and for being/thinking positive........

Silverfox · 17th February 2007, 23:48

I wouldnt live in Uk or work there and certainly not as a teacher. Small, shitty ,exorbitantly priced houses , rising crime (mainly proliferated by marauding semi-feral bands of yobs), shit weather, crap salaries if you choose to work in a really valuable profession such as nursing or education, but not if youre a footballer (twats), merchant banker (utter twats) or celebrity with no talent apart from being a celebrity (uber-twats), and a mentality/intellect which has been reduced to a shuddering low when compared with the rest of the world. And yes I am English and strangely proud to have an English passport.
Oh plus the place is now overrun by Eastern Europeans and Nigerians.

kingwilly · 18th February 2007, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by My_Kow_Lope

Sorry for being enthusiastic and for being/thinking positive........

dont worry abt - all young teachers get this feeling.....soon changes tho.

Welshman · 19th February 2007, 14:36

In case the OP still has a hankering to teach in the UK, this from the BBC

Many teachers 'stressed in class'

Half of teachers in England have considered quitting the profession because of stress, a survey suggests.

Two thirds of the 823 teachers polled felt stressed by teaching, half of them during lessons - the biggest cause being disrespectful pupils.

One in 10 told the researchers for Teachers' TV they worked longer hours than EU rules permit - and 60% blamed the amount of paperwork required.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6369867.stm

naboo · 6th May 2008, 05:31

24,000 incompetent teachers in the UK

I think they can make it 23,999 after I work my last day on 18th July.

I wonder what might cause the lack of quality graduates going into teaching?

I'd imagine it has someting to do with 'workload'.

paully · 6th May 2008, 15:31

^ But the government claims that the quality of new teachers entering the profession in the UK has never been higher

Of course there are incompetent teachers, but very easy to pick some figure out of the air and say 'because your students' exam results are down this year, you must be incompetent and causing those results'. Problem these days is that too many of the buggers just don't work at revision any more despite my (and others') exhortations - they just expect to be able to idle about, texting their mates and get through on the day with a B grade just for turning up, like they did for their GCSEs.

grasshopper · 6th May 2008, 17:15

I don't know a lot about the government system, except ESOL a bit, the only connection I have is my bro in law who's a Unison rep and lives in the same house - he's always grumblin on about it!

Teaching itself samesame everywhere - ok. Cost of living, accommodation especially, and high taxation go against it somewhat. Add to that the low salaries which will be kept low as there are plenty of people willing to come from everywhere and work for low salaries. Consequently, it seems to me at least, we have a reverse situation from Asia, maybe South America, in that they generally require qualified native speakers and the salaries, against the cost of living, result in you living a lifestyle 5 times better on the financial front.

This is not a UK basher statement, it just don't seem worth it to be here when you can do that^ elsewhere

it's been great but time to go - let me know how you feel in 6-7 months lou

peelieorion · 6th May 2008, 19:30

I loved teaching in the U.K (7 years) and I love it here. I only left the U.K because whatever you do, its never enough. I started in a failing primary school and with the help of a super head we made it into the 3rd best value added school in the country. Last OFSTED inspection we were judged to be outstanding in all but one category. but still people come in nitpicking, wanting more. Everyone at my school was working at 120% but you're always left with the feeling thats it not enough. Leave good overperforming school alone and focus on those leafy middle class cruising schools with old gits looking to retire. Schools need to be judged on their academic results not on how many computers they are. I believe the Irish system is incredibly tough as results all the way through your education count.

grasshopper · 7th May 2008, 05:33

^agreed and is why I went for government rather than private in LOS - even then you have to watch the glory-seekers

same here now though - just been working for a company where the students and teachers are treated with the least consideration I may ever have seen, the whole thing's about paperwork/front/contract=money - unemployed native and non-native speakers being sent to classes by the dole office as part of the New Deal thing

now doing a bit of IELTS cover work for a bit then buggering off - somewhat better - still private but students paying/coming of own volition and they're very good

laoshi · 7th May 2008, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by torbek

***For those with experience or knowledge of the UK education system***

Once I complete my GradDipEd in October this year, I am considering going to the UK for a couple of years to (a) build up some experience in a western system and (b) spend some time in Europe.

There are ads everywhere in Australia asking for teachers in to go to the UK. It is also one of a handful of "shortage" industries in the UK.

However, at 43 and without British grandparents, I will have to obtain a WP (or at least my employer will)...unlike a large number of Australian teachers.

Does anyone have any idea to what extent this might limit my opportunities in the UK?

There shouldn't be any problems. I would contact someone like Hays Recruitment or Select Education who have agencies in Oz too I believe. They should be able to get your documents and work sorted out. Although you'll probably have a short term contract initially...

paully · 7th May 2008, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by peelieorion

I only left the U.K because whatever you do, its never enough.

Ain't that true

Cawphad Guy · 7th May 2008, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by peelieorion

I only left the U.K because whatever you do, its never enough. I started in a failing primary school and with the help of a super head we made it into the 3rd best value added school in the country. Last OFSTED inspection we were judged to be outstanding in all but one category. but still people come in nitpicking, wanting more.

There seems to be this culture of targets in the UK, you always have to have targets. If you achieve those targets, you get more targets. I guess in theory it makes sense, keeps teachers trying to continually improve their ability, but it is also a tad de-motivating.

paully · 7th May 2008, 20:08

^ Gives the management a nice, big, easy target (pun intended) to aim the blame at if you don't reach your own course targets for, eg: success rates, A-C rates, retention rates, value added - YOU.
That's what it's all about these days. One of the key attributes of a successful teacher they don't teach you on teacher training courses is the ability to cover your own backside.