Has anyone studied to be a primary or secondary school teacher here in Switzerland either distance at an English speaking university or here in Switzerland.
Thanks
Ali
Hi
I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you can train as a Swiss teacher on an English speaking course. Most undergrad courses are not in English, a lot of MAs are.
As far as I am aware, there is no equivalent to a UK one-year PGCE course here.
I would steer well clear of any establishment offering "distance" teacher training and I don't honestly think it's an option in the UK. Not unless it's changed significantly.
If you do decide to study for a British teaching degree by distance learning, be aware that the EDK will not acknowledge qualifications unsupported by a properly mentored NQT (probationary) year, which can only be completed in a British school.
Hi Ali,
All primary and secondary teaching training programs here in Switzerland are in the national languages (Italian, German, French.) If you speak one of those languages (or are willing to learn) that is your best bet to teach here in Switzerland.. (Also, if you want to teach at the secondary level here in Switzerland you will probably have to have a Masters)... Here is a link to one of the schools - Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich (PH Zürich oder PHZH)
You can, of course, do a distance education certification program out of the UK (Open University for example), US, Australia, etc. However, I think it would be VERY difficult to find work here in Switzerland as a primary or secondary teacher in English without experience and with those qualifications. I am teaching at an English-speaking international school here - most teachers are hired internationally and all teachers have experience teaching beforehand. You might be lucky finding work as an assistant teacher depending upon your permit situation.
Good Luck, C
@ Curious In Zurich - sorry, quote not working properly:
Where? I really don't think you can, not in the UK. Or rather, you possibly can, but it wouldn't be taken seriously.
Yes, really. I have known someone who did a degree in education out of the UK and partial teacher certification from Switzerland. Please read the next sentence where I agree that the qualification for distance teaching certification would not be taken seriously here....
"However, I think it would be VERY difficult to find work here in Switzerland as a primary or secondary teacher in English without experience and with those qualifications"
I did read all of your post - I still don't think there are any distance learning teacher training courses in the UK and asked you where these were.
You tacked "those" qualifications on to teaching experience, which is, in part, why I queried.
You need an accredited qualification from an ITT higher education establishment and a supported, mentored, NQT year in a school, as stated by DB above.
No QTS, no experience, no recognition of qualifications = no teach in CH state schools.
Private schools, however, are a whole 'nother ball of fish.
Just to clarify here is one university out of the UK that does offer a "BA (Honours) Education Studies (Primary)" online - however, this course alone does not provide Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or PGSE.
http://www.openuniversity.edu/course...ifications/q94
PGSE can be earned also online. However, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England is conferred by the Department of Education and not by universities. The PGCE Education (overseas) does not, therefore, offer a licence to teach in the UK. ) Is QTS necessary in Switzerland in this case?
http://studylink.co.uk/education-cou...cher-training/
In the US here are also many programs offering degrees in education completely online - easily found with any google search.
However, this is rather beside the point as it is agreed that earning a distance education certification will not be helpful in attaining teaching work here in Switzerland.
I recommend doing a year or so of language work (if needed) and then starting upon a local Swiss teacher training program. However, this option would be practical if the person was staying here in Switzerland for longer term.
Also, in order to teach in CH State schools even as a qualified and recognized language teacher (of for example English or French) there also is required to be a very high level of the local language (German for example.)
I think in this situation it would also be impossible to be hired by an international or private school. Perhaps an assistant teacher job or an English assistant at a kindergarten might be possible.
I am currently studying to be a primary teacher at PHFHNW. I'll gladly answer any questions.