subject: A Home Learning Course Could Give You The Experience You Need To Become A Teaching Assistant [print this page] If youve been considering a career with children or feel as though you would be well suited to a role as a teacher then before making the career change it can be a good idea to seek the appropriate qualifications. A career in teaching certainly has the potential to be a truly rewarding experience, however should you wish to pursue this then there are minimum requirements that must be met. For example to become a fully qualified teacher you must first complete an undergraduate degree and a one year PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education), in addition to a course of ITT (Initial Teacher Training) so as to get enough practical experience to gain a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). If you do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to go straight into a teaching assistant position then a Teaching Assistant Diploma is a great place to start, as no previous experience or qualifications are required for entry.
Its fair to say that these Teaching Assistant courses can vary quite considerably, however many of them tend to focus on modules like supporting childrens development, keeping children safe, providing support to colleagues, contributing to positive relationships, and offering support for any learning activities. However they are not limited to these, other modules that might be included could be communications technology, supporting children with disabilities or special learning needs, supporting childrens play and providing displays.
There are some great opportunities to progress from the position as a teaching assistant, and the wages are quite sizable too not to mention the holidays. On average the starting salary for a teaching assistant are around 11,000 and 16,000, however higher level teaching assistants can expect to earn as much as 18,000 a year. After completing a teaching assistant course it can be a useful addition to your CV to have some experience, this is most easily obtained by getting voluntary work at your local school, this will allow you to put the theory into practise and provide valuable work experience and contacts.
One of the most economical and flexible routes into this career path is to complete a teaching assistant course from home, this can be done online or on paper. On average this type of course will take around 200 hours to complete but you can set your own time frame within a 12-month period so if you have prior commitments such as work or a family then it can work around you. The course is assessed through questions with descriptive answers and the completion of practical tasks.
