Page 14 - ELG1909 Sep Issue 466

FEATURE . NEWS FEATURE

Wanted: Tefl teachers to retrain for PGCE or iPGCE?

jobs in British international schools DUBAI BRITISH SCHOOL The PGCE, Postgraduate Certificate of
Education is a one-year post-graduate
teacher training course. Those who

training year, can gain qualified teacher
By Lisa Magloff complete the course, along with a
Bell argues that the UK government also status (QTS), which allows them to work
Colin Bell has a long history with English- COBIS needs to make it easier for teachers with in English state schools.
language teaching. “I did a CELTA in 1997 international experience to enter or re- The PGCE was originally delivered in
in London, so it’s my first profession.’’ The enter the UK schools’ system by developing universities, and included some teaching
head of the Council of British International closer collaboration between the UK and the practice in schools and this is still the
Schools (COBIS) first came across the EL international education system. model in Scotland.
Gazette while training at Saxoncourt, then COBIS works in collaboration with the UK In England, it is increasingly being
went on to teach EFL in the Czech Republic Department for Education and Department delivered in specialist training schools,
and in Tokyo. for International Trade in supporting the UK The Dubai British School is one of many COBIS members that have been awarded the with teachers working as they train.
Today, Bell heads up an association with education sector to access global opportunities. Patron’s Accreditation and Compliance level of quality assurance. The iPGCE is a PGCE for teachers
more than 500 members worldwide, offering The collaboration resulted in a recent working in international schools. It is
schemes for accreditation, compliance and report, International Education Strategy Global politically for the government to be seen to concerns from our members in Europe on the delivered by UK universities through
professional development. Potential, Global Growth, released in March. encourage overseas nationals [to come to the attractiveness of bringing UK teachers out to distance learning. Those taking the
COBIS represents member schools with It outlines a strategy to increase education UK to teach] in the short term, but perhaps Europe, and vice versa.” iPGCE need to have access to a school
educational bodies, the corporate sector and exports to £35 billion by 2030, as well as grow for the long term.” For Bell, though, the real reason to increase where they can conduct some teaching
the British Government. to 600,000 the number of international higher Then there is also elephant in the room - the opportunities for greater numbers of people activities.
So, what does any of this have to do with Universities with member schools to deliver education students studying in the UK. Brexit. to teach in English-medium international The iPGCE does not give teachers
English language teachers? an international Postgraduate Certificate in British international schools play a key role Not only might it be politically difficult schools is not just about the money they QTS status, but they can gain this
In 2018, COBIS undertook a large-scale Education (iPGCE). in this by providing a route for students to gain for foreign nationals to come to Britain to generate. through an assessment-only top-up.
research project looking at teacher supply “We looked for key partners. At the qualifications, such as GCSEs and A-levels, teach, Brexit may also make it more difficult “Equally important is the soft power and While not all international schools
in British International Schools. It found 94 moment, we have five providers – Educational that lead directly to UK universities. for European international schools to recruit influence that language promotion through accept the iPGCE as a qualification,
percent of British international school leaders Success Partners, TES Institute, University of So, how does Bell think the government British teachers. English medium schools can provide. It has many will hire teachers with an iPGCE or
were finding it ‘somewhat’ or ‘very challenging’ Buckingham, University of Sunderland and can promote teaching as an international This Brexit uncertainty is already having an never been more important that we promote on the basis that they work towards QTS,
to recruit teachers. The sector will require an Manchester MET.” profession while also helping teacher retention impact. “Despite assurances that qualifications the UK as an open place, we want to promote for example, through a top-up course.
additional 230,000 teachers within the next Member schools get a reduced rate for at home? will continue to be recognised, there are the best of Britain.”
12 years. iPGCE places and there are now 11 ITT He sees one solution as “signposting, the
Says Bell, “We recognise that growth of training schools worldwide. opportunity to teach overseas right when
international English medium schools is How can EFL teachers make use of this people join teacher training.” He feels the
phenomenal, there is something like one a resource? knowledge that they could spend a few years
day popping up … a new school or an existing Bell suggested teachers should, “make teaching overseas could end up drawing more
school becoming reclassified.” contact with a local COBIS member school people in. Currently, 71 percent of those
This makes it all the more urgent to find a which is involved in the ITT program, build a signing up for teacher training are not even
solution to the recruitment challenges. relationship with that school – send them a CV told it is an option.
I asked Bell about options for an EFL teacher or letter, use a personal network or volunteer... Bell also highlights the value of training
who wanted to make the move to teaching in You don’t need to come back to the UK to gain host nationals as UK-qualified teachers.
an English-medium international school. This qualifications.’’ “We see the value in training host country
was not a group that COBIS had spent much Increasing the role that overseas schools nationals. It’s all drops on the stone. We
time considering, but he was very interested in play in training is just one part of the solution. do recognise that it’s not going to play out
the possibilities. “If we can draw more people
into the profession by drawing teachers from COBIS MASTERS DEGREE IN
the EFL sector that can help strengthen the
professional status.”
Many EFL teachers make the move to
international schools to support English ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING: ONLINE
language learners. Some do mainstream
teaching, but without qualified teacher status
allowing them to work in their home country
they can still struggle to fine work back home.
The COBIS report found that 71 percent Teachers from all over the world can take this part-time programme,
of British teachers returned home to teach in which is studied entirely online in 2.5 years.
the UK within 10 years, bringing with them
experience and skills. It offers postgraduate level study in key areas of current theory and
The association saw an opportunity to help practice in applied linguistics and English language teaching.
people overseas, whether locals or British
citizens, to gain teaching qualifications to
work in UK. “We are very keen to not be seen For more information about the programme please contact:
as the big bad wolf, only taking teachers one MastersELTonline@britishcouncil.org or visit www.southampton.ac.uk
way,” says Bell.
Interested in developing a scalable training
approach, rather than a one-off program, the www.britishcouncil.org.mx t: (+52)55 5263 1982 or 1815 /BritishCouncilMexico @mxbritish
association have established partnerships for
initial teacher training (ITT) which pair UK The COBIS team with Honorary President, Sir Roger Fry, at the Annual Conference.
14 September 2019 editorial@elgazette.com 15