Joe Neil
Secondary teaching
So, you're interested in Secondary teaching, but not sure what subject specialism you want to teach? If you are taking some time to make this decision, then your instinct is quite right. Choosing your subject is an important decision because it's one that will help to determine the success of your working life as a teacher. As a Secondary teacher, you will be expected to have excellent subject knowledge in your specialism, and crucially, be able to teach it to all the age groups within Key Stages 3 and 4. That includes preparing them for them their examinations, including SATs in Years INSERT, and GCSEs, so they are very much relying on your expertise to support them. Basically, your enthusiasm for the subject should communicate itself to the learners themselves, and inspire them to make progress. If during your studies you need an essay, you can always use the services of an online essay writer.
Choose the right subject
It's also really important to choose the right subject from the point of view of your own career and professional development. Remember that you will eat, sleep and breathe your subject, be expected to 'top-up' your, advise colleagues about it, and eventually lead your subject department on behalf of the whole school - or even a group of schools. So, putting it simply, you need to choose something you really love.
Your choice of subject will also affect the way you choose your route into Secondary teacher training. There are now more ways than ever before to train and qualify, so you should find one to suit you. You can choose areas of study based on vacancies.
Check up requirments
What about the requirements for particular subject specialisms in secondary teaching? Well, this is obviously going to depend on which route you take. If you are already a graduate, they'll obviously take your first degree into account when considering you for a particular subject. If you're not they will obviously look at any previous experience or knowledge you have in your chosen field.
Not sure about your level of subject knowledge?
The good news is that there are courses specifically available to help you develop your specialist knowledge before you embark on either route. If you're not yet a graduate, you can take a specially designed Subject Knowledge Booster Course for two weeks, focused on Design and Technology, Geography, IT, Maths, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, and Science.
As you will see, Secondary education, in particular, allows graduates to develop their expertise in a subject specialism they really love, as well as share their expertise with colleagues. This may involve them moving swiftly on to the subject or departmental management level.
Don't worry
However, if you're worried about getting stuck in a rut or pigeon-holed around a single subject specialism, there's good news too. Basically, there is usually a huge difference between the policies of ITT institutions and schools, when it comes to allotting subject-specific jobs. Whereas your ITT course will direct you onto specialisms directly related to your core interests or qualifications, the school will be far more flexible. Highly motivated, enthusiastic teachers are allowed to move between subject specialisms and responsibilities whenever opportunities arise. All you need is the commitment to develop the specialist knowledge involved, and the skills to pass them on effectively to young people. If the deadlines are tight, you can always buy term paper online.
In conclusion
In practice, this means that in any secondary school you will probably find teachers who have taken either path. Some will have stuck closely to their original discipline, whilst others will have branched out in different directions. To important point to remember is that both paths are equally valid - and valued.
Useful resources:
The face that launched a thousand ships
Research Papers on Family Values