If you have a passion for education and can communicate well, a career as a high school teacher could be for you. Ready to find out how to train as a Senior and Further Education and Training (FET) Phase Teacher? Then read on!
Career Overview
As a high school teacher, you will be exposed to a number of different learners with no set class. You are expected to be highly competent in the subject that you teach. In general, teaching at this level will involve some “free” periods in which you will be able to do lesson planning and marking. This career also requires a lot of extra hours in the form of marking, setting tests/exams and planning lessons around the curriculum.
Required School Subjects
Entrance into studying to become a high school teacher will require proficiency in the following subjects:
- English Home Language or First Additional Language (matric level)
However, as a high school teacher, your teaching will be enhanced by proficiency in a number of other subjects. A few are:
- Xhosa
- Afrikaans
- Maths
- History
- Geography
- Biology
- Physical Science
Institution and APS
Almost all tertiary institutions in South Africa offer degrees that will qualify you to become a high school teacher. However, we suggest the following institutions:
- University of Cape Town (UCT) – Faculty Point Score (FPS) of 360
- UNISA – APS of 23
- University of Johannesburg (UJ) – APS of 26
Required Qualification/s Needed to be a High School Teacher
If you would like to become a high school teacher, you will have to work your way up a ladder of qualifications. A qualification in the Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) Phase teaching will need to be acquired if you would like to teach at a high school level. If you are interested in teaching at this level, you will need to be very competent in the subject you would like to teach. After having completed your studies, you will have both practical experience and theoretical training. Your qualification can either be a diploma or a degree.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is also a way to qualify as a teacher. This route requires you to have another tertiary qualification where you have completed two years (at a tertiary level) of the subject that you would like to teach. It is a one year qualification that will include both practical and theoretical training.
Required Skills
To become a high school teacher you will need the following skills:
- patience
- empathy
- be able to listen to, guide and aid learners of all levels of academic achievement
- be proficient in the field in which you teach
Where You Can Work as a High School Teacher
As a qualified high school teacher, it will be your choice as to where you want to work. You can work either in the public, the private schooling field and now even at an online school. If you would like to teach abroad, this is also an option. There is a high demand for English teachers in many foreign countries.
Working Hours
Working hours of high school teachers will mostly follow the school hours of learners. In South Africa, schools mostly begin the day at 08:00 and end anywhere between 13:00 and 15:00. As a Teacher, you may stay longer for staff meetings, meetings with parents or to conduct extra-murals such as extra tuition and sports practices.
High School Teacher Salary
According to Payscale, the average salary of a high school teacher is roughly R239,753 a year. With that said, this largely depends on whether you are studying at a public or private school.
What to Expect as a High School Teacher
As a high school teacher, you can expect to have many great encounters with your learners. You will play a pivotal role in guiding learners as they grow physically, mentally and emotionally. This can be both a demanding and rewarding profession.
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