Backpacker Teachers
When browsing the Internet, I’ve come across the term
‘backpacker teachers’. I think you know what I mean:
an American on tour of Europe for 4 years, teaching
English here and there while the real profession is a plumber, a
car mechanic or no profession at all. But
today I’ve come across another posting which shows that
this is progressing. It’s a string of many posts by many people
who overly agree that one does not need a Bachelor’s degree
in English/teaching English to be a good teacher.
Well, that’s the first step to become a backpacker teacher.
what went on, was a list of countries that do not require
a degree to give visas. I suggest people check how visas and
work permits differ in the first play, perhaps, they are too
backpacker to do that.
Next, I agree that it’s not the degree but practice
that makes one a good teacher, but I would still insist on
getting basic qualifications in the field. Self study, maybe not
backpacker’s favourite, is a good idea, too.
Imagine I start repairing cars or doing brain surgery without
having qualifications. I could watch TV, surf the Internet,
have a surgeon boyfriend to gain experience and off I
would go. Sounds idiotic, and it really is. I wish some people
would shut their mouths and open their brain to the world of
how proper things should be done in a proper way.
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I totally agree!
One should not do job he is not wualified for. It will create an army of
“self announced-called” experts who will underestimate someones longlastig effort to become good at some fieled.
If you want to be qualified, and present yourself as an expert in front of other peopele, then get some degree by legal institution
Alen
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
When you say degree, are you referring to a college degree or an ESL or equivalent certification?
There are many who have college degrees and yet are not qualified to teach, and, by the same token, there are many who have a great desire to teach and get certified in ESL or similar, but do not possess a college degree.
I think it’s a shame that many schools will only accept an ESL teacher if they have a BA degree, regardless of their teaching experience or other training. Their loss!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:58 am
Jan,
by a degree I mean a college degree in the first place. It does give some sort of qualification. We can argue how useful the curriculum really was but it is a foundation qualification anyway. It’s good that after that people have more training, naturally. But just have a 4 week course without background knowledge and be off to the world to teach….no. That’s bad.
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:38 am
I’m so glad other people have said this. I have a degree in languages so have a better grasp of grammar than most but even I’m daunted at the thought of teaching English. I’ve opted for a 4 week CELTA course and looking around at various forums, I’m astonished at people who think they can do a weekend course and then go to teach.
I’ve seen questions like “I have no degree or teaching experience. Do I really need a TEFL qualification to teach?” Whaaaaattt? Words fail me.
Yes, there will be a few people who don’t have a degree and make excellent teachers but you need a certain standard of education or a great deal of experience.