Teaching adults

NewLifeAhead_2

Hi,
I'm in desperate need of a career change. I'm almost 28 and currently work for a finance company. Ive always enjoyed it largely due to factors other than the actual work itself (close to home, flexible, employers are old friends of parents so good working relationship etc), but now the work has become so quiet that I am bored to tears.
What I would love to do is teach adult literacy and basic skills - kind of like the workshops you hear about getting people's skills up to date to enable them to gain employment etc.
How do I go about this? Would I actually need to complete a degree then go on and do a P.G.C.E? Or is there a shorter, more specific course if you want to teach adults?
My local careers website is useless, as is the local college site. Cant seem to get anywhere on google except bringing up primary/secondary teaching information.
If anyone does this Id really appreciate some advice.
NB I have all my basic G.C.S.E's grades A's and B's, but no further academic qualifications. I would also, if possible, like to stay in work as long as possible throughout my studies, even if only for the first year.
Thanks in advance.

DomRavioli

Hi OP

See link : http://www.niace.org.uk/sites/default/files/90-How-do-I-become-a-teacher-of-adults.pdf

Point 5: you will need a specialist qualification, either a degree or equivalent vocational qualification (think its a level 5), AS WELL AS either QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) or ATLS (Associate Teacher Learning and Skills) once you have your degree/vocational qualification.

I'd advocate the Open University if you're looking for a degree; great distance learning, you can get tuition fees depending on your income and I've found it to be easy to manage.

DKLS

Learn direct is one of the biggest providors of ICT training.


This is taken direct from one of their tutor ads under Essential/Desirable:


Maths and English at GCSE ‘C’ and above or level 2 equivalent essential
·A level 3 subject support qualification in literacy where the tutor is supporting literacy learners (PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS with Literacy specialism)

·A level 3 subject support qualification in numeracy where the tutor is supporting numeracy learners (PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS with Numeracy specialism)

·Any level 3 teaching qualification where the tutor is supporting Functional Skills, Employability or IT (L3 Cert in Learning Support, PTLLS and CTLLS)

·Knowledge of using the internet and email are essential.

·Good communication skills with the ability to communicate with a diverse range of learners at different levels

·Ability to demonstrate skills in using a range of Microsoft Office applications or relevant qualification such as ECDL or ITQ.

·Strong administrative skills with ability to organise workload and prioritise time between learner support and administrative tasks.

silvercar

I taught adult numeracy. Firstly as a volunteer assisting the teacher in an evening class at an FE college. Then they asked me to take the class (paid). From that I moved to being paid to teach adult numeracy classes during the day at 3 different FE colleges. I then also taught 16-18 year olds on BTEC courses.

I had academic qualifications at the time and took a city & guilds certificate in teaching numeracy at the same time as my first paid job.

This was a few years ago, so the rules have probably changed.

Here is a page that gives some information.

A lot of the qualification requirements will say that "working towards XX qualification" is acceptable, so you can sometimes get through the door if you agree to take a course alongside working. Experience in working in this environment is obviously an advantage.

NewLifeAhead_2

Thanks for all the really helpful replies! I probably should have mentioned I'm in Wales, and it looks like the learndirect courses are only for England, or at least the funding is anyway. I shall have a proper look at these links this evening, feeling very excited now to be taking a new path in life! :beer:

janiebquick

I have taught adult numeracy, as well as Key Skills and Functional Maths in an FE college. Despite what others have said here, you DO NOT NEED either a degree or specialist qualifications to teach in FE, although they do help.

My advice to you would be to make informal enquiries at your local FE college. Find out who manages the delivery of adult numeracy and ask if you can come and talk to them. It's quite possible that there are support roles available (both paid and unpaid) so you can get an idea of what's involved and how to take it further.

Good luck - it can be tremendously rewarding!

NewLifeAhead_2

Id just like to thank you all again for your replies. Thanks to your advice and links, I am starting a "Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning sector" course TOMORROW!!!! :eek:
I had a good read and rang a number for my local WEA (Workers' Education Association) who informed me the course starts tomorrow, the entry requirements were to be educated at level 2, and its 1 evening a week for 20 weeks - absolutely perfect for me! This is a level 3 course and there is a level 4 course to follow.7
Im so excited, I literally felt like running into a wall today in work but i think I will manage it a lot better knowing its not FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE anymore ! :D:D

So thank you again :beer:

FR_262

I don't want to put a downer on your plans, but have you really thought about this?

Have you done voluntary work first?

I'm sorry to say that most of the people you will be teaching are likely to have been forced onto gov schemes and not there because they want to learn.

They are likely to have been disruptive in school and/or have Social, Educational and Behavioural Disorders.

Be prepared for your pupils to make very slow, if any, progress.

I used the P Scale and B squared. I don't know if these are still in use but google them. They are a way of recording small steps in the learning process.

I really do wish you all the very best. It can be great fun and it can be rewarding.

silvercar

I'm sorry to say that most of the people you will be teaching are likely to have been forced onto gov schemes and not there because they want to learn.

They are likely to have been disruptive in school and/or have Social, Educational and Behavioural Disorders.

Students at FE level can be broadly split into 16-19 yr olds and adult learners. Adult learners are generally there because they have chosen to enrol and improve their education. Generally keen and enthusiastic and a joy to teach. Many have not had any formal learning for a number of years so may be slow to make initial progress. Many are making up for losing out at school for some reason. Wide ability range.

16-19 yr olds again have a wide range of ability and enthusiasm. Granted there are some who would rather be anywhere else and some can be disruptive. Others will be there because either they have been let down in their education or have let themselves down. They can present a variety of challenges, may not have a good background, may not speak English well. On the other hand, some may be very keen to get qualifications. Generally classes for this group are split according to the general level of qualification they are working towards.

It can have its challenges but can also be very rewarding work.

I agree with the previous poster, you should try and do some voluntary work first. If this is not possible ask if you can observe some classes.

WishICouldFindMySlippers

Ann Gravells' book "Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector" is an essential buy if you're doing PTLLS


ISBN: 978-0-85725-773-4


Its usually on Amazon for around a tenner. Her other book, Passing PTLLS Assessments, is worth a look if you see it in the library, but its not really worth buying

Who?_me?

FR_262 wrote: »

I don't want to put a downer on your plans, but have you really thought about this?


I'm sorry to say that most of the people you will be teaching are likely to have been forced onto gov schemes and not there because they want to learn.

They are likely to have been disruptive in school and/or have Social, Educational and Behavioural Disorders.

Be prepared for your pupils to make very slow, if any, progress.

I really do wish you all the very best. It can be great fun and it can be rewarding.

I teach adults in an FE college doing employablity skills and vocational skills. They are all unemployed and have low literacy / numeracy levels. THese people are NOT mandated and come of their own free will.

For most people coming onto these courses the problem is fear. Fear that they are going to look foolish or thick, fear of the unkown, fear of the pressure on them. This all comes out as bravardo and reluctance, but the key is being able to get to know them and change this and make them feel safe.

You will be expected to work in a classroom (voluntary) one you get onto the next stage of your course when you will see if youare cut out to work.

Alot of functional skills is also with 16-19 yr olds who are more reluctant becaues they aren't mature enough and don't have the skills and understanding of how important it is. Education is wasted on some teenagers!

Finally, many adult ed courses are hourly paid, and run for maybe 6 weeks at a a time and your job depends on you keeping them engaged, so don't expect a nice steady income.

It is huglely rewarding, as the smallest thing to us makes a huge difference to them. You really do see how others live and it's quite frightening what some of them have to put up with in their lives. Your ablity to engage with these people is going to be the key test - you knowledge means nothing if you can't get them to work with you.