An Introduction to Teaching:
Teaching is an important part of the process of education. Its main function is to provide learners with knowledge and develop understanding and skills as-well. Teaching basically revolves around three major elements namely the teacher, the students and the topic being discussed. Teaching might seem a tough job once you start but it’s actually fun once you get used to it. It’s the opportunity to share an individual’s knowledge and years of experience with new learners. Such individuals are extremely dedicated to their jobs and this is a well-known fact. The main purpose of lecturers working so hard is to help beginner learners rise to new heights. Their sophisticated and advance teaching methods help shape learners in an ideal way because the newer generation needs to carry on human legacy and the knowledge we possess needs to be passed down.
Teaching in the UAE:
Starting a teaching career in the Emirates might seem appealing taking its posh cities, wide range of mouthwatering cuisines, landmarks and other perks into consideration, but starting a teaching career can be a nerve wrecking experience. Teachers have to pass the UAE teacher certification exams before they are allowed to teach legally within the country. Passing this test would result in the automatic issuance of their teaching license. The name of the program all lecturers are required to participate in is called the TLS (Teacher Licensing System).
What is TLS:
TLS (Teacher Licensing System) was introduced by the Emirati government in 2017 as a pilot phase. It is expected that TLS teaching license would become compulsory for all education professionals throughout the UAE by 2020. This means that everyone working as a teacher to a principal would be required to possess a valid teaching license in order to work legally in the Emirates. This system was a joint venture amongst the leading organizations within UAE namely; National Qualifications Authority (NQA), Ministry of Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Department of Education and Knowledge and Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education Training (ACTVET). This license is obtained by passing two tests, one in pedagogy and the other in the specialization of the applying teacher. The specialization exam deals with the content of a specific subject that is to be taught. For example, a Chemistry lecturer would specialize in Chemistry courses only. The second test is Educational Practice Test. This assessment basically relates to general teaching pedagogy. Pedagogy refers to the practice of education and how this influences the growth of learners.
What if a Teacher Fails?
Let’s suppose that if the applicant fails to meet the required criteria, the system then introduces them with training courses that are specially customized based on their performance in the test. This is basically done in order to achieve the desired result. However, this chance is not permanent. Teachers will be granted a period of 24 months in order to redo any assessment they were unable to clear.
Final Words:
Teachers should apply for UAE Teacher Certification Exams as soon as possible in order to pursue their teaching career legally within the Emirates and also to avoid unnecessary problems both in the present and in the near future.