What Qualifications Do I Need To Work As A Teaching Assistant?

The job of a teaching assistant just like the name implies is to assist the teaching process in the classroom. They assist children in the classroom to assimilate better and in most cases they could even work during the holidays to ensure the kids don’t dump all they’ve learnt in the spree of the vacation. The job of a teaching assistant is hardly an easy one but the experience is worth it and so long as you are not volunteering, you’ll certainly be well paid for it.

The Qualifications I Need to Become a Teaching Assistant

Being qualified for the position of a teaching assistant has three major routes or portals. So we will be looking at each of them concisely. Let’s begin with the first and in no particular order since all are great portals.

The College Route

If you want to be a teaching assistant, going to college is a great idea. There are lots of colleges with approved Teaching Assistant courses that you can undertake and wrap up in just a year to become qualified.

On-the-Job Training

You can be working as a Teaching Assistant while still studying relevant courses on a part-time basis to be fully qualified as a TA. However, not all schools offer this kind of gesture and if they do, chances are that you’ll still be allowed to undergo more training or even sponsored by the school for further training to streamline your role.

Online Courses

You don’t have to even be in a brick and mortar classroom to gain relevant knowledge on becoming a Teaching Assistant. You could sign up for some online courses with reputable institutions and engage in their accredited TA courses. This online route offers you some level of flexibility as you can study and write exams at times convenient for you. If you have any questions about this article or any online courses featured on The Course Mix just let us know.

Other Prerequisite Qualifications

Beyond the four walls of ivory towers, distant learning at comfort zones and on-the-job training, you need to be equipped with the following:

Literacy and Numeracy – As a teaching Assistant you need to be married with numbers (calculations) and have a good command of English. You’ll be tested on this before you are employed.

Solid Educational Foundation – This one is needed especially when you are doing on-the-job training, because you can’t go to college without have basic educational certificates and you can’t study online without them. A minimum of a GSCE is needed with at least a C grade in Math and English, most schools will be glad you did well in sciences equally.

Approved Qualifications for Teaching Assistants

The following qualifications from a reputable and accredited college or online institute can qualify you for a Teaching Assistant job in addition to you proving your mettle in some basic tests in Literacy and Numeracy.

• Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
• Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate
• Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma
• Level 3 Diploma in Specialists Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools

Other Skills You Must Arm Yourself With

You might not necessarily be thought these skills in the classroom but it is pertinent that you know them.

• Patience with kids
• Ability to respect differences in the kids
• A professional disposition and appearance
• Ability to work with a team