Becoming a Tutor – The Tutor’s Guide
If you want to teach or tutor adult learners or be in a further education setting, then completing the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) is for you. If you’re not convinced, let us convince you! This is the ultimate guide to becoming a Tutor/Teacher. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know. Including:
- What is a qualified teacher/tutor
- What do they do?
- How do you become one and what are the qualifications
- Finally, what are the benefits?
Carry on reading if you want to learn more!
What is a qualified Teacher/Tutor?
A qualified tutor/teacher is someone who possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively facilitate learning and development in their students. They have a recognised teaching qualification and relevant industry experience, enabling them to create engaging and effective learning experiences that meet the needs of their learners. They are able to identify and respond to individual learning needs. Using appropriate teaching methods and technologies to deliver quality education.
What do they do?
On a day-to-day basis, your responsibilities as a teacher/tutor may be different and range from all different things. To facilitate learning and help the development of their students. Some of these activities may include planning and delivering lessons. As a teacher/tutor, you would need to prepare lesson plans and materials in advance, as well as deliver them in a way that’s engaging to the learners.
Assessing and providing feedback, to help learners improve their skills and knowledge. Additionally, supporting individual learners, especially those who are struggling with their studies. Helping them to identify and address their learning needs. Alternatively, they need to keep up-to-date with any industry developments. Be that a change in curriculum, assessment methods or new teaching methods.
How do I become one?
If you want to become a teacher in further education, you don’t necessarily have to have a teaching qualification. You’ll need to have a relevant qualification in what subject area you want to teach as well as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. For example, if you want to teach plumbing in a college, you will need a relevant plumbing qualification as well as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET). The course is designed to give you an introduction to teaching. Giving you the core roles and responsibilities.
The AET course is considered the minimum qualification required for those who want to teach. As teaching adults is completely different from teaching children. It will give you the skills to enable you to teach adults, using a variety of different methods.
Alternatively, you can teach in one of these three main areas, these are:
- Vocational training (including apprenticeships)
- Academic teaching. A-Level or T-Level.
- English and Maths. Basic skills or ESL (English as Second Language).
In fact, your work can take place in a number of different settings. Such as a general or specialised FE college, Sixth form college, adult and community education centres, Universities, prisons and youth offender organisations.
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training was previously known as PTTLS. However, it has become known as the AET qualification. It now belongs to the TAQA suite of qualifications. This qualification allows you to teach in the Further Education sector, within your area of occupational competence. The course is made up of three units. These are:
- Unit 1 – Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training
- Unit 4 – Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups
- Unit 5 – Understanding Assessment in Education and Training
Unit 1 is completely knowledge-based. Where you will learn all about the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in Further Education. Unit 4 requires you to deliver a micro-teach session and evaluate your own practice. As you will gain more knowledge on how to plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive learning and teaching. Finally, unit 5 is all about how assessment is used in Education and Training and how to involve students in assessments. Furthermore, you’ll learn about record keeping.
You will need to attend one of our centers on a day to complete the Micro-Teach part of the qualification. Based on a couple of hours of study a week it should take you around 3-4 months to complete. However, you can complete it quicker if you have more time to spare!
What are the benefits of becoming a Tutor?
One of the main benefits is an increase in salary! Adding the AET qualification to your CV can help your chances of either receiving a promotion or getting a higher-salary paying job. And having this qualification you can really stand out against other applicants. As a qualified teacher in FE, you can earn between £24,702 and £37,258. This may vary from employer to employer. As well as your teaching and industry experience. You’ll also be able to spread your knowledge to the next generation of workers!
Taking on a new role will always have its challenges – but how rewarding is it when you overcome them? You can get the ultimate job satisfaction by becoming a Tutor. There is also career progression waiting for you!
Career progression as a Tutor
There are multiple different pathways for career progression as a tutor! In fact, you can move into a leadership or management role. Alternatively, you can move into another part of the sector, such as independent work-based training or becoming your own training provider. Moreover, you could move to a different type of college.
However, you can also go into assessing. By completing the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement or CAVA. As teachers who’re trained in assessment actually make better tutors. Teaching and assessing together gives you a deeper understanding of everything related to learning and assessment. Additionally, having this qualification can also make you look more appealing to employers, as you can assess and teach.
Am I eligible for the AET course?
If you’re 19 or over and have all the relevant qualifications and occupational competence, then yes! You are eligible to enrol on the AET course. Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is the primary means of submitting word-processed assignments, which is essential.
Start your AET course today!
Let Brooks and Kirk help you start your Education and Training course today. As industry specialists, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Education and Training sector. So it won’t be blind leading the blind with us. We also offer unlimited support for the entire duration of your course. We offer flexible start dates, with up to 2 years to complete your qualification. Meaning you can start today and fit the course around your own personal circumstances.
Brooks and Kirk are not-for-profit training provider, so our course fees are VAT exempt. From beginning to end, we cover everything you need. All the way through to your certification; regardless of the way that you pay. There are no sneaky hidden costs! If we haven’t convinced you and would like to have a chat with us, please give us a call at 01205 805 155 or send an email to training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk.
