After thinking long and hard I have made up my mind. I am going to be a teacher that gives private tuition for the rest of my life. I find that that is is the most suitable job for me. I am also going to write help books for students. I know I will suceed and what others think doesn't matter. So, after my SPM, by right I do not need to further my studies. But generally, people regard college/university graduates to be more clever and trust them more. So my question is, what is the best course to take in college that can actually help me become a better teacher. After all, I have put in so much effort in my SPM, co-curriculum and behaviour, it would be a waste not to apply for a scholarship. And please don't suggest me to go to teahcers college. That is not an option as I don't want to be tied down to work as a school teacher for the first few years and looking at teachers nowadays, I really wonder what they learn at teachers college.

I am very interested in music, should I just forget about college and learn how to play the piano and reach grade 8, then I can teach piano also? Not only the piano, I would like to learn to play as many musical instruments as possible. Are there institutions, countries or companies that offer scholarships to study music at this level. Music college sounds nice, but who would offer a scholarship to someone who can't even play one instrument? Another think that I'm considering is taking up a language course, such a TESL. Maybe some japanese course that will certify me to teach Japanese would be good?

This post has been edited by mumeichan: Mar 25 2006, 09:30 AM

I can't help you much there, but being a teacher before you full op out into the 'tuition' world is not a bad idea. Even if you come out with a degree, who are people to immediately trust you can do a good job?
Most of the 'powerhouse' tuition teachers I know were teachers (whether still teaching or op for retirement/quit the job). It is during their enlistment where they get the contacts from.

Unless my perception is very much wrong, don't think of being succesful as a tuition teacher without the contacts to even start with. Being a teacher gives you first hand knowledge what the syllabus is, and knowing in and out of the subject. You also get to know your colleagues, who can help you out with getting students or keeping you informed of the latest news.

Contacts shouldn't be a problem as I've given tuition before. But I quit a year for my SPM . And I can advertise. If I'm good, surely my student will recommend others to me.

I would recommend a degree, at least study some subject you are going to teach your students. I don't know what type of teacher you are... but i hope you are/will be the type that understands the subject and teaches for knowledge rather than to pass an exam paper.

Alot of what we learn in high school is dumbed down for the purpose of easy understanding. When you learn it at higher levels like universities for example things can be rather different.

Study the subject you are going to teach so you understand the material better. This way you can think of how to best present the subject to your students.

This post has been edited by silverhawk: Mar 26 2006, 01:12 AM

And I agree with what silverhawk has said. In addition, you can go for a job in private school, which helps you to increase a little knowledge on how to handle those problem that you would face when you are teaching as tuition teacher. What student needs is very well understanding of the particular subject that they took, and not just dump with homework and next week hand up. I agree, homework does their purpose, but what it the use of homework, when they can't understand what they are doing?

This post has been edited by stevanistelrooy: Mar 25 2006, 10:06 PM