Career Spotlight: Teachers

Welcome to our very first episode of "Career Spotlight"!

In this first episode we explore one of the most popular jobs in South Africa: Teachers.

The objective of this series is to introduce high school students to the many jobs out there and to give them a better idea of what each career really does on a day-to-day basis.

Did this video shed some light on teachers that you didn't know?

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Remember, this is our very first podcast and we'd love to hear from you on where we can improve to bring you the very best career information possible.

Becoming a Teacher

There are a few different education degrees depending on the type of teacher you'd like to be.

BEd Early childhood and foundation phase: Pre-primary to Gr. 3
BEd Intermediate phase: Gr.4 to Gr.6
BEd Senior phase: Gr.7-9
BEd FET General: Gr.10-12

Contrary to popular belief a school teacher’s day does not run from 7:00 - 14:00. Beyond teaching children in class, a teacher is responsible for planning lessons; assembling visual aids for the lessons (slide shows, props, etc.); composing class tests, term tests, and examinations; grading papers; marking homework; etc. At school teachers are often responsible for extra curricular activities, such as sport coaching, choir conducting, chess club, etc. as well as supervising detention and social events.

During breaks they take turns in patrolling the school yard and many teachers spend their break times helping struggling students or getting a head start at marking homework or grading papers (since these activities take a long time to complete).

During school holidays many teachers are expected to accompany children on sports tours or cultural activities, providing extra classes for struggling students and preparing lessons for the next term.

They also have teachers’ meetings, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings and responsibilities that can run until late at night.

If you want to become a teacher because of the "short work hours" and "multiple vacations" during the year, think again. Teachers work just as hard as everyone else and often have longer work hours than the typical 40 hours a week.

Teachers have to be passionate about education, inspiring young minds, enjoy working with children and have a strong personality to stand up to difficult students. Becoming a teacher is not choosing “the easy life”, it is choosing to shape tomorrow’s leaders through education, gentleness and discipline. It is not always easy, but it is extremely rewarding for the passionate educator.

Minimum requirements for admission:

NSC: 30

English/Afrikaans: 50%

For BEd FET Natural Science: Maths: 60%; Physical Science: 60%

For BEd FET Economic and Management Sciences: Maths 50%

Course length: 4 years

Universities that offer education programmes:

Stellenbosch University

University of Cape Town

University of Johannesburg

University of KwaZulu Natal

University of the North West