You can read about teaching but the acid test is to spend as much time as possible in a school to see what life is really like on the other side of the teacher s desk to discover whether you will actually enjoy it before you apply for a teacher training course. Most teacher training providers will not even consider for you for interview unless you have some prior classroom experience. Check out the Teacher Training files in the Careers Service s information room for contacts in local schools. Teachers in technology colleges, in sixth-form colleges or within the independent sector do not have to be qualified teachers, but most are. Your chances of getting a job in these areas will be limited without a teaching qualification, but this will also depend on what you wish to teach, what else you have to offer and the competition from other applicants.
Most courses are usually one year full time.
There are some two year courses available, mainly designed to convert graduates from other disciplines into Maths, Design and Technology, Science and Modern Languages teachers. Some part-time courses are also available. These courses are based in groups of schools which are responsible for their design and organisation. The scheme covers both primary and secondary training. All courses lead to Qualified Teacher Status and upon successful completion may also lead to a PGCE validated by a HE institution.