Summer teaching experience?

flips

Hi,

I am hoping to return to college in September to do teaching but would like to get some experience with children and/or teenagers. I am looking for summer work (willing to leave a permanent position to do this) in summer camps or something. I don't really know where to look. I've been looking on the internet but haven't come across anything. Does anyone have any other ideas on how to get this experience? I need the money so I can't do this on a voluntary basis unfortunately.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

Toto Wolfcastle

If it you want to train to be a primary teacher or an Irish teacher at secondary level then you could apply to any of the Irish colleges that are run around the country. However, it is quite late to apply for a job with one of them so you might not get one.

A lot of summer camps are run on school grounds. You could approach schools to find out if summer camps are run and also get contact details.

drusk

Have you been given confirmation of enrollment at a teacher training college for September? If not, I would strongly suggest that you hold on to your permanent job.

Another thing to note is that there are far more qualified and experienced teachers than there are jobs at the moment. Competition, even for simply gaining experience teaching throughout the summer, is extremely high due to the lack of jobs.

You have not said where you are based, so it is difficult to recommend places for you to apply for work.

E.T.

Another point to think about is Garda vetting - if you haven't been vetted already you'd want to apply for it straight away.

flips

Sorry I'm based in the midlands.

I was thinking about the garda vetting, can I just go ahead with that with no specific job or that?

I understand what you are saying about more teachers than jobs at the moment but i'm in a job that I HATE and teaching is what i've always wanted to do. I'm only in my mid tewnties and don't want to spend the next 40 years doing something I hate. I know there is the possibilty that it won't work out but I think I'd regret it if I didn't try!

Thanks for replying!

E.T.

I don't think you have to have a job to get vetted by the Gardaí but I have heard it takes ages (at least 4 weeks and I've heard of much longer) so it's worth doing asap!

drusk

In that case, fair play to you, and best wishes. If you really want to make it, you will. Ring the number on this webpage and they'll send you out a garda vetting form - http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/garda_vetting/default.asp?NCID=368 Fill it in as soon as you get it, as there is a waiting list.

As someone has already mentioned, language summer camps are usually your best bet for summer work. There are also schemes out there for teaching children with special needs. I saw something about that on a thread here recently, so have a root around for that. Your best hope of experience however, should be subbing in actual schools. Do up the CV and drop by the schools in your area and have a chat with principal. It's slim pickings at the moment, but every little helps.

Other than that, your biggest concern is getting into the teacher training colleges. Check out their websites and requirements for entry. I'm sure you stand as good a chance as any as a mature student.

Best of luck with it!

amz5

Do you have any sports certificates or anything like that? A lot of the English summer camps in Spain look for people to do sport with the children (often non teachers). The pay isn't usually great, but accomodation/meals can be included and you may not declare tax (although you should). In my experience the people who teach sports do not need TEFL certs.

Lots of qualified teachers look for jobs at summer camps in Ireland because the pay/working conditions are so bad and they need to suplement their wage.

eager tortoise

+1 to the above about summer camps.

Lots of teachers do take jobs at summer camps in Ireland but I still think it is worth a go. Most English Language Schools in Ireland run summer courses - in fact its one of the busiest times of the year. The courses consist of morning language lessons and afternoon excursions/activities. Whilst you would need tefl/teaching qualification to take classes the schools very often hire activity leaders (who are not necessarily teachers) for the afternoons/weekends to take out groups of students. That might be something of interest to you. A google search should give you a list of language schools running such courses and then it would be a matter of ringing/emailing to offer your services. Good luck!

Rubiee

There are usually many opportunities to teach EFL during the summer. Perhaps you could consider doing the cert - it will always stand to you for future summers or part-time work while training, as there are some schools that operate year round.
If not many of these schools/courses also require people to help out with the afternoon/weekend activities so that may also be an option.
Hope that helps