[EsmereldaGreen]

This is slightly premature as I'm a PGCE student but I'm very interested in teaching abroad one day (after my two years experience is done here) and I'm wondering do I need anything in particular to teach IB? I know the website recommends a masters course at Bath but I wanted to check was there a different way of learning about IB other than a masters course. I'd like to be fully prepared before applying for jobs and as I am likely to be moving back to Northern Ireland at the end of the year I figured I'd check it out now as perhaps my only opportunities would be in England/Scotland.

I'm sure you guys have answered this sort of stuff before so I'm sorry if I'm at all repetitive but I would really appreciate it if someone could give me some insight.

Thanks,

Emmy

This post has been edited by EsmereldaGreen: 06 October 2009 - 08:29 PM

[Laurence Hicks]

There's nothing in particular you need to do in order to teach IB History, Emmy, and there's no special mystery about the programme. Almost all the books IB schools use are similar to the ones used at A Level, and by and large the skills that are taught are no different either. Consequently, if you can teach A Level then you can teach IB, although bear in mind that the majority of IB schools offer 20th Century World History as their preferred IB option.

[Dom_Giles]

I agree with Laurence, you can go on training days with IB but usually you don't need any specific expereince to be an IB teacher. If you can teach A Level you can transfer. Often job adverts will ask for IB experience but it isn't crucial. I got a job a few years ago in an IB school having not taught it before. It might be fair to say that IB History is harder than A level but teaching ti doesn't have to be.

Good luck with the PGCE (Now THAT IS hard!)

This post has been edited by Dom_Giles: 07 October 2009 - 09:50 AM

[EsmereldaGreen]

Thanks very much, it's really appreciated!

[rachelloughery]

Hi!

I just caught this and wanted to say hi! I'm from Northern Ireland too and did my PGCE at Coleraine and then a year at Methody and one at BRA. I'm now teaching in Costa Rica!! I had only taught L6 at MCB and BRA and had no IB experience but still got the job I wouldn't worry, I think it is definitely more based on interview and obviously A-Level experience will help. In terms of preparing yourself personally I would recommend READING. I know I spend a lot of my time now reading history books to get the level of depth I feel is needed to teach IB. I especially recommend anything by Overy. I would make sure you are familiar with the Dictator's and WW1 and WW2 as a lot of schools seem to do these options. All the Irish/British stuff is kinda useless though, lol. However, as you are undoubtedly really busy as it is you probably shouldn't worry about it at all! Aiiiii, I'm babbling, it's Friday and exams start next week.
I'm rachelloughery@hotmail.com if you want to get in touch. I'm really a bit over excited to see someone from norn iron on here!