Page 25 - ELG2202 Feb Issue 479

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Qualified teachers should beat a path
to a UK university, says Melanie Butler

hy do universities, on average, basis. According to
outperform language schools? the University and
One reason is that they teach College Union, the
Wbetter: 78% of accredited bottom rate per PHOTO WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
university language centres are awarded a classroom hour is
strength in teaching by British Council inspectors. £15, which is also the
Universities do so well because they employ average hourly rate
more highly qualified and experienced for language school
teachers. Normally only fully qualified EFL teachers. Durham University
teachers can work in UK universities, which However, for every
means they must have a first degree, an initial hour you teach at a university, they pay an money advertised is often similar, but the
certificate, at least two years experience and extra hour and a half for all the other things a difference in hours is huge.
a diploma. Most universities also look for a teacher has to do: assessment, administration, This year, one summer school provider is
master’s degree meetings, professional development and, currently advertising for fully qualified teachers
By contrast, in the average language school, above all, lesson preparation and marking. to work as academic managers, offering £670 a
most teachers just have the initial certificate. So before tax, the minimum you can earn per week plus free food and accommodation. For
Research shows that the biggest factor in hour you teach is £37.50. that, the staff are expected to work 72 hours
how fast you progress is not the class size Many language schools actually deduct plus 8 hours a night on call for emergencies.
or the method of teaching, it’s the quality money from teachers for breaks between If they have experience teaching academic
of the teacher. There is a small number of lessons, typically 15 minutes in every hour. So English, the same teacher can earn £650-£750
great language schools with a fully qualified, the teacher is paid £11.25 for 45 minutes of plus free accommodation at a university. There
highly experienced faculty, but many lesson and nothing for the break. And as for they’ll work 37.5 hours a week, which includes
teachers prefer the cachet of working for administration, meetings, etc, they often don’t 20 hours teaching. The competition for such
a university. get paid for that either. jobs is fierce and the ads are going up now on
Then there is the money. Both universities
In the summer, both language schools and
EHU TESOL 18.11.2021 93mmx135mm.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2021 12:00 Page 1 jobs.ac.uk and the BALEAP website.
and language schools hire teachers on an hourly universities offer short-term contracts. The Who do you think will get the best teachers?

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