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PGCE course in Bangkok - Wanted


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There is a PGCEi available near Victory Monument with University of Nottingham (I think) but not relevant for the UK....only international.

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I am sure its a good course but... 175,000 for a diploma? I doubt most can afford it.

But if it can get you into some of the big international schools (that would need clarifying) then that cost could be swallowed within 3-6 months on wage difference alone. I know that there are courses that are cheaper in Bangkok that can provide a decent opportunity but may not be viewed in the same way by these schools.

Horses for courses. This might well be overkill for a person determined to teach English but for other disciplines this might well prove to be useful. However I must stress that there is a lack of clarity as to whether this course counts for anything towards your full PGCE in the UK. I know that this does NOT defer QTS by UK standards...then again nor does a TEFL or TESOL.

Edited by draftvader
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I am sure its a good course but... 175,000 for a diploma? I doubt most can afford it.

Yes it does seen rather excessive when most are probably only going to be working in a Thai government school earning between 35-40 pm. excluding tax, insurance etc.

I did hear that the MOE has on its website (in Thai) a list of accredited PGCE courses for those needing to satisfy the rules regarding teaching in Thailand with a Thai teachers license.

Ramkhamhaeng University will suggest that their 12-month PGCE course is accredited with the MOE, but it isn't.

There is also a Philippine establishment over in BangKapi offerring a course, but their website hasn't been updated for years.

I am surprised that more information isn't available.

I have been asked to look for a PGCE course in Bangkok that will cost around 50k, take 12-months part-time study and will only be used to teach in Thailand.

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I am sure its a good course but... 175,000 for a diploma? I doubt most can afford it.

But if it can get you into some of the big international schools (that would need clarifying) then that cost could be swallowed within 3-6 months on wage difference alone. I know that there are courses that are cheaper in Bangkok that can provide a decent opportunity but may not be viewed in the same way by these schools.

Horses for courses. This might well be overkill for a person determined to teach English but for other disciplines this might well prove to be useful. However I must stress that there is a lack of clarity as to whether this course counts for anything towards your full PGCE in the UK. I know that this does NOT defer QTS by UK standards...then again nor does a TEFL or TESOL.

Nottingham was the first British uni to establish a full campus in Mainland China and has a first class reputation in its commitment to overseas course delivery. The reason to invest in such a course would be a long term commitment to a teaching career and use of this qualification plus teaching experience in Thailand as a more or less guaranteed entry to a full PGCE in somewhere like the Institute of Ed in London. A good way to clean up one's CV by the way if you only say, possess a IIii in a relatively soft subject from one of the lower ranked unis and knowing you are up against it in the jobs market.
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I was offered a place on this course last year, (I have deferred entry until this Autumn due to some family issues).

My take is this:

Firstly, Nottingham University is a well-respected British university, and this PGCEi course has a good reputation - it is not 'a walk in the park'...

The 'i' stands for 'international', and the course requires an initial attendance in Bangkok for about one week, with all further study online.

This is a general PGCE course, and does not offer (AFAIK), specialisation in eg Primary Education or in a subject such as Maths or Science.

The course seems good valuer for money, especially when one compares the cost to that of the on-campus PGCEs in the UK.

The important difference between this course and the UK on-campus courses is that the PGCEi does not convey QTS (licenced teacher) status in the UK, nor is it a partial route to obtaining such status at a later date. If you propose to teach in the UK at some later date, the PGCEi will not help you to get QTS.

Will it help you to get a teaching job in Thailand/south-east Asia? Most certainly. Although 'tier 1' international schools usually look for a UK PGCE qualification and QTS, I do know (from direct discussion), that a respected school such as BIS, Phuket will accept this qualification from a teacher with south-east Asia teaching experience.

One question to ask yourself before applying for this course is what area of teaching so you want to be involved with? A PGCE qualification is typically for teachers who work in Primary or Secondary education, whilst an M.Ed may be more suitable if you intend to teach in university or vocational colleges, (or in a management role in a school).

This is my own 'quandry' - whether to study for the PGCEi or for an M.Ed. I am 55 years old and teaching is a second career (actually third career for me). My teaching experience has mostly been at primary age level, and the PGCEi is therefore a useful qualification for me to obtain. But I worry that potential employers will shy away from employing a 'mature' primary teacher, (although I have male colleagues aged 65 and 72 who are still teaching primary ages).

Simon

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've been thinking of getting my PGCEi to further my career as a teacher. I recognize this maybe completely useless once I go back to North America. The price at Keele university is 4,500£ for in-service teachers and Nottingham is 3,170£ which is quite a dramatic difference.

Anyone out there with any advice or taken the course before? Thanks!

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  • 5 years later...
On 5/9/2014 at 2:44 PM, draftvader said:

But if it can get you into some of the big international schools (that would need clarifying) then that cost could be swallowed within 3-6 months on wage difference alone. I know that there are courses that are cheaper in Bangkok that can provide a decent opportunity but may not be viewed in the same way by these schools.

Horses for courses. This might well be overkill for a person determined to teach English but for other disciplines this might well prove to be useful. However I must stress that there is a lack of clarity as to whether this course counts for anything towards your full PGCE in the UK. I know that this does NOT defer QTS by UK standards...then again nor does a TEFL or TESOL.

Can you do QTS in the UK if you have passed this course?

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  • 8 months later...

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