Further education teacher

Further education teachers organise and teach programmes designed specifically for adult learners. They impart a wide spectrum of subjects, ranging from academic areas such as mathematics and history, to trainings for personalitiy development, technical expertise or practical courses like languages and ICT. They teach and support adults aspiring to broaden their knowledge and their personal and professional skills and/or to achieve further qualifications. Further education teachers consider the previous knowledge and the work and life experience of the learners. They individualize their teaching and involve the students in the planning and executing of their learning activities. Further education teachers design reasonable assignments and examinations suitable to their adult learners.

The following job titles also refer to further education teacher:

further education lecturer
sixth form teacher
further education practitioner
tutor of further education
practitioner in further education
continuing education teacher
sixth form tutor
teacher of further education

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as further education teacher. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Further education teacher is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to further education teacher.

adult literacy teacher
language school teacher
digital literacy teacher
university teaching assistant
hospitality vocational teacher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of further education teacher. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of further education teacher with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of further education teacher.

Assessment processes: Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.
Training subject expertise: The topic, content and methods of the training, acquired by doing research and following training courses.
Adult education: Instruction targeted at adult students, both in a recreational and in an academic context, for self-improvement purposes, or to better equip the students for the labour market.
Learning difficulties: The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.
Curriculum objectives: The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

These skills are necessary for the role of further education teacher.

Guarantee students’ safety: Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Employ pedagogic strategies to facilitate creative engagement: Communicate to others on devising and facilitating creative processes through the use of a range of tasks and activities appropriate to the target group.
Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Observe student’s progress: Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.
Liaise with educational support staff: Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues relating the students’ well-being.
Show consideration for student’s situation: Take students’ personal backgrounds into consideration when teaching, showing empathy and respect.
Manage student relationships: Manage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.
Adapt teaching to student’s capabilities: Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Assess students: Evaluate the students’ (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.
Adapt teaching to target group: Instruct students in the most fitting manner in regards to the teaching context or the age group, such as a formal versus an informal teaching context, and teaching peers as opposed to children.
Demonstrate when teaching: Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.
Adapt instruction to labour market: Identify developments in the labour market and recognise their relevance to the training of students.
Give constructive feedback: Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.
Perform classroom management: Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Apply intercultural teaching strategies: Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.
Encourage students to acknowledge their achievements: Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Teach further education: Instruct adult students, not participating in standard higher education, in the theory and practice of one or several subjects with the aim of self-enrichment, ranging from academic areas such as mathematics and history to practical courses including languages and IT.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of further education teacher. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Teamwork principles: The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.
Education administration: The processes related to the administrative areas of an education institution, its director, employees, and students.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of further education teacher. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Assist in the organisation of school events: Provide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school’s open house day, a sports game or a talent show.
Deliver online training: Provide training by using online technologies, adapting the learning materials, using e-learning methods and communicating online. Instruct virtual classrooms.
Assign homework: Provide additional exercises and assignments that the students will prepare at home, explain them in a clear way, and determine the deadline and evaluation method.
Consult students on learning content: Take students’ opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.
Facilitate teamwork between students: Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.
Monitor developments in field of expertise: Keep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.
Construct individual learning plans: Set up, in collaboration with the student, an individual learning plan (ILP), tailored to the student’s specific learning needs, taking into account the student’s weaknesses and strengths.
Escort students on a field trip: Accompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.
Promote education course: Advertise and market the programme or class to potential students and the education organisation with the aim of maximising registration numbers and allocated budget.
Assist students with equipment: Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.
Develop curriculum: Develop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources.
Manage resources for educational purposes: Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.
Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Work with virtual learning environments: Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.
Advise on lesson plans: Analyse policy issues which impact on students’ experience of education. Advise on the ways in which lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved in order to reach education goals, engage the students and adhere to the curriculum.
Teach digital literacy: Instruct students in the theory and practice of (basic) digital and computer competency, such as typing efficiently, working with basic online technologies, and checking email. This also includes coaching students in the proper use of computer hardware equipment and software programmes.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Oversee extra-curricular activities: Supervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.
Organise projects to fill education needs: Fill education gaps by organising projects and activities that help people to grow academically, socially or emotionally.
Provide career counselling: Advise beneficiaries on future career options through counselling and, potentially, through career testing and evaluation.

2359 – Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Further education teacher – ESCO