If
you’re currently considering a career in the education profession
and looking for a way to gain experience, then you may want to
consider a teaching assistant (TA) position. Teaching assistants in
South Africa are responsible for aiding professors and teachers with
their responsibilities. The largest marketplace for teaching
assistants is at the secondary education level, although there are
positions in universities as well. Teaching assistants who work in a
university environment are either graduate or undergraduate students.
Teaching
assistants may be responsible for several different administrative
and educational functions. For example, a TA may grade papers, teach
classes, or help with presentations. A TA may also help prepare
curriculum before it is presented in a classroom or they might
provide assistance to students with physical or learning
disabilities. Above all else, a TA is responsible for helping
teachers carry out their job more effectively and efficiently.
Teaching
Assistant Training
In
most cases, your training as a teaching assistant in South Africa
will happen on the job. As a university graduate teaching assistant
or undergraduate teaching assistant, you may not have taken any
education courses, however, at the secondary education level, you
will typically have taken classes that are specifically oriented
towards education theory and practice.
The
demand for TAs reaches across every category of education. Currently,
there are many Montessori pre-schools in South Africa that are in
need of TAs. Gumtree.com is one resource for finding positions in
this area. However, you should bear in mind that in order to obtain
one of these positions, you will need to have completed at least 120
hours of coursework.
To have the best chance of landing a teaching assistant position, you should first obtain your university education. A four-year degree in education is the best academic preparation you can obtain for these types teaching assistant jobs.
Teaching
Assistant Job Opportunities and Salary
Teaching
assistants may find employment in any number of educational
institutions across the country. You can work in private schools,
universities, high schools, pre-schools, and private tutoring
centers. It is particularly helpful if you speak both Afrikaans and
English when you are looking for these sorts of jobs.
Teaching
assistants may also work after school to provide academic support in
specific subjects. An aptitude for math, languages or science can be
especially helpful.
According
to Pay scale.com, teaching
assistant jobs pay an
average salary of R50,561 and the best-paid TAs can make around
R80,000. Childcare or daycare TAs generally make a lower salary than
those who work for private or schools. Currently, the TA workforce is
about 86% female and 14% male and most TAs have between 1 and 4 years
of experience. The best paying positions are typically found in
Johannesburg.
If
you’re considering a career in education and would like to gain
more experience in a classroom environment, then you should consider
a TA position. There really is no better way to find out what it is
like to work in an educational setting than this.
For
more information Please visit: TeachingAssistant Jobs and Become anAccountant .