Going from world of TEFL to being a T.A.

[james_in_japan]

Hi everyone
I am posting to you all to ask for some advice please.

Im currently teaching English in Japan and have been here for over 4 years teaching adults and children in group classes and one to one. I have also taught in 2 Japanese Kindergartens for a year.

My question is in regards to my experience and how useful it would be in trying to getting a job as a teaching assistant in a Primary School. Ultimately I intend to do a PGCE but first I would like to do a year as a teaching assistant. So do you think I would need do acquire further qualifications in order to do this or do you think my extensive experience here in Japan is adequate?

Thank you very much

James

[Admin]

Hi James

There are currently no mandatory requirements to have any formal qualifications to work as a TA in UK schools, so your existing experience should stand you in good stead for a job as a TA. Just make sure that you have an upto date CRB (Police Check) and good references from your existing work, and this will ease the way to getting TA work.

If you do plan to do a PGCE, it is now almost a pre-requisite that applicants have some TA experience before being enrolled on the course.

Hope this helps. Good Luck