Obsolete?

[Ice_9]

Hi there,
I have a couple of questions that I hope yuou can help me with as I decide on a career in TESOL.
1) I know that the government wants everyone in teaching, by 2010, to hold a PGCE. If I do my TESOL now - is it going to be worth the paper it's printed on (and the money spent)?
Will colleges take me on are will they be looking now towards PGCE applicants?
2) Is there a PGCE for ESL? I thought hey hadn't yet decided. And this inaction is not helping me choose a course.
Thx
Any more questions, I'll post.

[Tdol]

There is a PGCE ESOL: http://www.geocities.com/travelteach...fications.html
Given that you have the time, why not look into a Master's in ESOL? Nobondy will question that and it is what is required by universities for ESL teaching, which pays better than colleges.

[Ice_9]

Thx for the link and the info on Masters. Can you do a MA without any prior ESOL experience?

Also, could you help on the first question?

Cheers :D

[Tdol]

I'm not living in the UK now, so I am not sure. When I left, the position was that all ESOL teachers would have to have recognised teacher status to work in FE colleges, and that included things like the CELTA. When I did my Master's, they required two years' experience as a minimum, though I don't know whether other places would also require that. However, they could take candidates with less experience if their academic qualifications were regarded as enough.