Grad School Entry Applications

Entry to Graduate School is a highly competitive process. On average, over 1.5 million applications are received by these schools every year. Out of those applications only about half get accepted. If this does not alarm you consider this, the acceptance rate for Doctoral programs alone is just about 25 percent. Scholarship programs and fellowship programs are under threat due to the recession as funding slows. All of this indicates the importance of trying hard and trying early.

The first step is to look for schools that interest you. Make a list of all the schools that you like based on location, facilities, reputation, etc. This list will possibly be a long one but don’t worry, this is merely the beginning. The next step is to divide the list into three broad categories:

1. The best and hardest to get into

2. The ones that have good facilities and fit your needs the most

3. The failsafe; in other words, the schools you wouldn’t mind settling for in case no one accepts you.

Now, prune each of those divisions by selecting the ones that you deem are the best out of the lot; other factors like semester fees, travelling and accommodation may play a deciding role here. Once you arrive at a fairly short list, do some research on the internet to find out all the details about those schools that you need to know. Try calling up some of the professors at those schools to get further information. Based on this information, cut down the list even further and start applying.

Teaching English as a Second Language: Tips for the Non-Native Speaker

Who says you cannot teach English if you are not a native speaker of the language? These days, more and more people have gained expertise in the English language without having been born in English-speaking countries. For example, people in Asia needing to learn English may not have the resources to go to the United States or the United Kingdom to study the language. Instead, they will turn to non-native people like themselves who have mastered the English language well enough to teach it. If you are confident that you have what it takes to teach people the four macro-skills of English as well as the micro skills, here are some tips to help you become more successful in your chosen career path.

Get certified. It is one thing to go back to school and get an Education degree or a master’s degree, but it’s an entirely different thing to get certified to teach English. If you have an Education degree under your belt, you still need to take several exams to prove you eligible to teach English to non-native speakers like yourself. These exams will prove your credibility and allow you to be at par with international standards of the language. The IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is one of the most popular tests for non-native speakers. The test focuses on writing, listening, speaking and reading, and is designed for non-native speakers who are venturing to higher studies, or are going abroad to an English-speaking country to work.

Other exams worth taking are TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), which is specifically designed for teachers like yourself. Also, keep your communication skills updated and sharp by engaging in seminars and workshops, especially those related to principles of learning. This is because some people can use a language well, but have no idea how to teach it. Finally, create a portfolio of your work. You should keep track of related experience. For instance, if you are a regular contributor in the local newspaper, or a freelance DJ on radio, you should include these. This tells your prospective student that you are able to put your communication skills to good use.

Choosing to be an Elementary School Teacher

Becoming an elementary school teacher has become an appealing option for many. The hours are good and the money isn’t bad either. But it is not an occupation for everyone.

The first factor in deciding whether you should take up a career as an elementary school teacher is – do you like children? This is a very important factor and you have to be honest with yourself when you give the answer. Dealing with young children is not an easy task by any means and handling a whole classroom full could drive you crazy. You need to have lots of patience and the diplomacy to handle parents and their moods as well. Some days you will on top of the world and feel like you are making a real difference; other days, it will take you every ounce of will you have to just get through to the end of the day. If you feel you are not up to the task, look at middle school or a little higher.

The next factor you should consider and take to heart is that fact that you will be one of the most influential people in these kids’ lives. You will provide a lot of the initial molding of their minds, which will eventually influence their lives later on. This responsibility must not be taken lightly. You must understand that you are there to impart knowledge and to help guide young minds on their path. Once again, do not take up this job if you are looking at it simply as a means of making money.