teaching

 I am not a teacher in the states, but just got my degree.
How easy is it become a teacher in the UK and how is the job market.
 
Do teacher's assistants need to take courses to qualify for a job?
 
If I am over on an ancestry visa what are the chances I will get paid to train? 
 
How easy is it to get a place where you work and train at the same time?
 
thanks

I have been here for 10 months and have not been able to find  work yet..  I have  about 7 years  experience  in the states..and could find  a job at the  drop of a hat there..  have a good  nest egg.. you may  be needing it..   :\\\'(

Here's the official DfES (Dept for Education and Skills) website on how to become a teacher:

http://www.teach.gov.uk

I think you'll find that there are several programmes available to try and get more teachers here.  THere is a desperate shortage of them at the moment.  However, I'm not certain of the rules for non-citizens.  It's worth looking into!

If you already had teaching experience in the US (minimum two years), you'd have to find an LEA to sponsor you (not the easiest task) -- you'd have to go through "student teaching" again (observation, portfolio-building, etc.) and would likely receive a stipend while you were retraining.

Since you don't have any teaching experience, the easiest thing would be to go back to school to get a PCGE.

The ads for teaching assistants have required an NVQ3 or some sort of youth/playwork qualification, depending on the age you'll be working with.  I think there's also a specific teaching assistant qualification you can get at most colleges.  Of course, there's more leeway if you already have experience as an assistant in the States.

I'm not sure about being paid to train (other than in the above scheme).  I would assume you'd need to qualify for tuition assistance or something as I've never heard of any other way people have had their training paid for.

thanks lola!

Thanks Lola!  Your information was helpful for myself as well!