Teaching charity reports surge in interest

Posted 29 May 2009

The economic downturn is prompting many young people to consider teaching as a stopgap, new figures suggest.

Teach First, a charity which recruits graduates to work in challenging schools in England and Wales before pursuing their intended careers, is even attracting interest from Scotland, the BBC reports.

The organisation only started recruiting in the country last year and has already seen a 50 per cent surge in applications from St Andrews University.

Meanwhile, new recruits from Edinburgh University are also up 37 per cent in 2009.

Taking a year out is similarly proving increasingly popular, according to the news provider, with Bunac revealing there has been "a noticeable increase from last year in the number of people looking to go abroad".

Gaining a TEFL qualification before travelling is a good way to make the most of the experience, according to another gap year travel company.

Real Gap insists TEFL jobs help bypass financial concerns as many pay well enough to fund further travel once the contract is completed.

Category: Teaching and Learning