Teacher training courses confusions for the first timers – how to choose the right course?

The demand for the teaching jobs has been on the rise in the United Kingdom. This has increased the demand for the various teacher training courses among the candidates. But there are quite a few confusions that exist when it comes to choosing the right course. In this article, we have taken the liberty to address some of the prime confusions that one may face while making the virgin choice about entering the education and teaching field.

Main confusions towards choosing the right teacher training course

Some of the prime common confusions include:

     1.       Choosing the right course

The options for teacher training courses are many. Some of the most famous courses offered in the UK include the Teacher Assistant course, Award in Education and Training (AET course), Diploma in Education and Training (DET course), Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE courses) and many more. The choice of the course should depend upon your expertise on the field, your knowledge, capability, and passion to serve in the job role. The best way to making the right choice is to conduct research on all of the options available and then choose the one that best suits your lifestyle.

      2.       Meeting the entry requirements

The entry requirements of the teacher training courses can vary as per the chosen course. While each of the separate courses has a specific set of requirements, they are mostly basic. Some of the courses need you to have access to conducting micro-teach sessions. These sessions will be used to assess the practical skills of the candidates wherever necessary. Unless you are applying for an introductory course, you will also need to provide a qualifying certificate of the basic skills of numeracy, literacy, and ICT, especially if you are planning to apply for advanced courses necessary to work in the sectors of further education and adult learning.

      3.       Choosing the right training provider

While the traditional classroom-based training course providers are an obvious option to look into, the choice of online training providers is also many. There are a few specific benefits that you can enjoy depending on the type, of course, you choose to attend. The classroom-based teacher training providers allow you the chance to interact directly with the trainer to solve your queries and develop your skills. The distance learning option, on the other hand, grants you the ability to carry on with the course contents at your own speed. The merits and demerits can vary depending on the type of training provider you choose and thus you must take time out to decide carefully based on your requirements.

If you are not sure if you really want to develop a career in this field, then the best option is to start with the teaching assistant course or the AET course to make sure that you are passionate about working with the young learners. As you start developing the skills, you can opt to join the higher courses and further sharpen your skills in coming time.