Wow, seriously, that is absolutely why there is a shortage. I truly can't comprehend how any sane person can keep up with such demands... It just seems very unrealistic making a person make 4-5 lesson plans PER DAY. Just reading TWO pieces of literature and planning each day exhausts me. I cannot imagine switching gears that much in a single day. I am wondering if I am getting myself into one hot mess by going over there. Maybe it sounds worse than it is??? I am currently TOO SPOILED I guess. I feel like I need to physically go there, see it, shadow teachers, etc and see how schools REALLY operate... It is very risky for me to just go and not know, that whole "leap of faith" philosophy only can go so far. I mean, I don't want my entire existence to become obsessing over work... I just am a work to live person, now a live to work. So... now, I am rethinking things....
THANKs for the honesty and responses!!!!!!! |
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It can be very difficult - and the grading is often much more difficult in English in England than the US. No multiple choice or short answer tests. Assessments are all written essays of varying lengths graded based by the national scales. It is doable, obviously, many people still do teach there. I think part of finding a school that will work for you is one with a good system in place of units. Both schools I taught at had at least something there to work from (besides A level English Language) for all new teachers, which you could supplement. If you are in a good school that has teachers who will share their work that is obviously helpful, though many people like to keep things to themselves. As English Teacher said, be prepared for a lot of Shakespeare, they do at least one play each year, and if you end up teaching Drama you will probably do at least some bits there as well. Some unit plans can be found online, I found a lot last year, I can't remember where now, but it was a very organized.
You mention sitting in on classes and things like that, I would definitely recommend it if you are able to. Like if you already have a trip planned, contact some schools and see if they'd be willing to have you for a day. Be sure to visit experienced teachers as well as NQT's, and especially any overseas trained teachers, regardless of where they are from, because their experience will probably be most similar to your own. Good luck with your decisions! |
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Thanks Jess,
so.. doable..
Curious, how much teaching experience did you have before you relocated there? How long did it take you to adjust? WOuld you say you have a comfortable handle on things?
Thanks! |
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I think coming here for a visit might be a good idea, if you can do it? We don't get out of school until the 20th of July this year, so after you finish up in the States, you could try that, perhaps?? It is difficult teaching here (this doesn't even touch on the student behaviour issues), but many of us do stay (I'm in my 4th year). THe good thing is,after you get lesson plans made the first year, it's just a little tweaking the next time through, usually. So the fist year is the toughest. But as Jess said, the marking is very detailed and time consuming. Mock exams in year 11 come to mind . . . spending Christmas break sitting by the tree with mince pies, marking two classes worth of exams for 80-odd hours. O, joyful season.
The breaks every 6 weeks are great for either travelling, or catching up on work. People go both ways. A friend of mine does all his catch up work on the breaks, while I choose to work about 12 hours a day Mon-Fri, and have my weekends and breaks free (except for the marking of exams occasionally).
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Depending on the situation you can get job, though I'm not sure how likely, with just your student teaching. My position was found in this way, but it was unique because the school found out one week before the end of their school year (end of July) that they had an English teacher whose Visa was expiring and she couldn't renew. So, lucky for me, it worked out that I had a job with no US experience. It was literally the hardest year of my life, but I am so proud that I accomplished what I did. I'm sure they prefer experienced teachers.
As for preparing you for exams, that would be a very school by school situation. You can ask to be sent on courses about the exams, or your school can have people in. My school last year had a women from the Edexcel board in to discuss the new GCSE requirements that were coming up in the next year. My first school, I asked around about a lot of year 12 exams because I only had one exam level class. You can easily find old exams to get an idea, and I'd do that now, while you have time, because when the school year comes, as you can see, you'll be running about like a chicken with your head cut off.
Discipline - I never taught in a bad school in the US, but even my school that received all Outstandings on their OFSTED reports had some very bad children. Maybe someone else can explain it better than I can, but it just seemed you had to work a lot harder for very basic things. Like being quiet to begin class, not talking while I am talking. I never knew that it was fairly common to have students who were the equivalent of 9th and 10th graders line up silently outside the class and enter in silence, so yeah I had a big target on me!
Like English Teacher has said you can play it two ways, work very long days to have weekends/breaks free. Or be done a little early and work weekends and breaks. I was never any good at accomplishing work from home, so staying until 5,6,7 marking and planning were a way to enjoy the weekends sightseeing, etc.
I can't remember if I've addressed all your questions, but if I haven't please remind me of what you still would like to know. |
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