I have to write an application of personal qualities that i can bring to a teaching job, i inshallah should qualify as a primary school teacher in June, but have to apply for jobs now.
One of my key personal qualities is that i can speak 3 languages (all the other students are all English apart from a few irish lasses), i can’t seem to find the right words to describe or explain how being a mulit-lingual teacher well affect, enhance and make me a better teacher compared to a teacher who is not mulit-lingual…
i only need a small paragraph…and its taking me weeks to write something!!! im beginning to think its not a good quality to have.
In fact, today, our schools are truly a reflection of the increasingly diverse communities in which we all live, and I personally see linguistic diversity as a very valuable qualification in serving the increasingly diverse K-12 student population.
You can positively affect the learning and achievement among students of diverse ethnic backgrounds especially by helping in academic adaptation of migrant and overseas students. This is becoming more challenging day by day.
I'v managed to convey the advantages of mulit-lingualism in regards to assiting and meeting the needs of EAL students, but what about the non ethnic children? what about the SEN children?
I need to show that my quality is inclusive to all children as i will be applying for jobs in areas which do not have many bilingual/mulitlingual children.
How will i affect the general school life with this quality? iv managed to ramble on about parents of ethnic minority children and how i believe effective communication with parents is an integral part of their children's education...etc
if you are not applying to a school with many EM/EAL pupils dont mention it in your application, it may pigeonhole you, make refrence to your own mulitlingual skills, also make sure u address all the points in the job spec even in your personal statement and provide evidence for it.
Working in mainly white schools u will also be an asset as you will bring an understanding of different cultures and may well be the only person of colour they meet so just by your precence you will break down negative stereotypes - if they exit.
As a speak of three different languages u understand the compelxites that pupils of primary age speakers face as they increase their understanding and knowledge of English. Also this skill has enabled u to understand language development and acquistion and thus will allow u to plan more effectively for your pupils. Also put inclusion at the heart of everything - SEN, able pupils, that you have high expectations of ALLL pupils and say that your background makes u recognise the commonalites amongst people.
Also as a ( i always say a 'black woman') u see yourself as a role model, u are deeply committed to equal opportunites and belive your background and skills will be a valuable asset in educating children to value and live in a diverse mutlicultural enviroment.
hope this helps
do not forget u have a can-do approach, u r positive, enthusiastic and most of all a sense of humour.
best not to mention u r a gupshup addict but do say u r very IT literate and will seek to use ICT in ur teaching - they love that
yep, i was untill recently, now i am education consultant, pm me if u want me to read ur application in the future or need prep for interview. good luck with ur application, inshallah it will go well.
why not broaden your skills to not just effect the minority children but you can also point out as someoene with multi language/multi cultural experience and knowledge you can bring an broader/world/globarl perspective THAT benefits ALL children in our classroom as we as educators prepare them for a global multi cultural world....
this is what i needed help with, the being inclusive to all children part and how i would word it, im not good with explaining myself. however, i think i did try to, i just hope my personal tutor writing the reference manages to convey my qualities as she has to write it, not me. I think i'l get a chance to write about myself when i apply for jobs and obviously interviews, this was just the university reference.
I am slightly worried about being pigeonholed though, all of the other students seem to have sporting qualifications, first aid, and loads of other personal interests.
I'm going to start a sign language course as i remember bits of makaton which is a simpler version of sign language. I need more qualities though, i dont think its enough to say that im interested in sports as i dont have any evidence of me participating in any sporting events :( and somehow i think my love for shoes will be over looked.
iv started collecting artefacts from visits to other cities and form my own city, i'v even started collecting toilets rolls and plastic bottle for Art and D&T!!
Glad I came across this thread. My wife has been offered a job as a teacher with training to start in May. I will email this thread to her to read. Some very good comments and points to ponder are listed here.
In her case, she also speaks 3 languages.... American, British and Urdu. ;)
