Testimonials: Teaching Placements in the UK
Rachel Rubin (UK teaching placement, Spring 2023). Currently a full-time teacher in London, UK.
“I highly recommend that any BEd student who loves to try new things and learn about different cultures apply for an international teaching placement. My time in the United Kingdom was an amazing experience, and for me it was the best way to end my six years at Lakehead.
Throughout the seven weeks I was overseas, I learned a lot, not only about teaching, but also about the UK in general. The students at my school taught me about their favourite sports (football and rugby), and the teachers shared traditional foods (such as beans on toast and afternoon tea) and recommendations on the best places to explore in the area (like Greenwich and Soho).
The experience pushed me to develop my teaching skills in new ways. I had to be adaptable and collaborate often with teachers, as lesson planning was done collaboratively and the timetable changed frequently to accommodate extra-curricular activities for the children such as chess, kickboxing, and swimming lessons. This taught me to be ready to change my day plans on the fly. I also developed new classroom management techniques that I hadn’t experienced in Canada, such as using a tambourine for transitions and holding “R&R sessions” with students.
Travelling to London was also an unforgettable experience; there is so much to see and do! Many great museums and galleries are free of charge, and there are amazing outdoor spaces to enjoy, like Hyde Park. The food and entertainment scene is also incredible as London embraces many different cultures. I made lifelong friends and had many unforgettable adventures—and this is only the beginning, as I accepted a teaching contract in London following my placement!”
Paige Szever (UK teaching placement, Spring 2023)
“Completing an international placement in the UK was a dream come true. The journey brought many new experiences and relationships, and I learned a lot about myself along the way.
Teaching in the UK is very different from Ontario—I experienced culture shock during the first couple of weeks at the school. One of the key differences is that teaching in the UK is more lecture-based, with less hands-on/inquiry-based learning. The standards for students in the UK are also very high, both academically and socially, and discipline is a key point of focus.
The most impactful teaching method I experienced involved the differentiation and scaffolding of tasks. The school where I completed my placement provided students with three entry points or “levels” to choose from, depending on their comfort level with a specific concept/subject. I plan to incorporate this into my future teaching.
The international teaching experience also gave me the opportunity to grow as an individual. As a shy and introverted person who has struggled with social anxiety, I never imagined I would travel and live far away from my family, but I did it, including taking a train and travelling in Scotland (visiting Glasgow and Edinburgh) by myself. I have become more confident in speaking up and doing things on my own as a result of this experience. There were also so many highlights with travel and tourism, such as exploring Windsor Castle, witnessing the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and the King’s Coronation, and seeing Big Ben/London Eye Area at night.
This experience has inspired me to want to teach in other parts of the world. I would 100% recommend an international placement to other students … it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Tamsin Andrews (UK teaching placement, Spring 2023)
Pictured: Paige Szever (left) with Tamsin Andrews (right)
“My teaching placement in Watford, England was a very valuable experience, key to developing the teaching philosophies I learned at Lakehead. While I expected there would be differences in the curriculum and subject material in the UK, I didn’t expect there to be such a difference in teaching styles. Experiencing such a change in lesson delivery and teaching style made me a stronger future teacher. It forced me to challenge myself and fight through uncertainties, to still deliver the best lesson that I could. Because of this experience, I feel much more confident in my teaching ability, as well as my ability to take charge of any class and any subject.
I am more resilient as a teacher because of the adversity I faced by choosing to teach outside of my comfort zone. For this reason, I would recommend a placement abroad to any teacher candidate. Facing the unexpected makes you stronger.
In the future, I hope to find a permanent teaching position in the UK. Having the opportunity to teach and learn in a school in England before taking steps to finding a full-time teaching position there was an invaluable experience, helping me to make an informed decision about where I find myself best suited in the UK.”