LongJohnny
10-01-08, 02:51 AM
It sort of dawned on me that when you write applications for teaching positions in South Australia, and of course in the rest of Australia as well, it is a good idea to keep cognizance of the jargon that one should use.
As I often serve on selection commitees, I became quite aware of the jargon/language/lexicon people use when they apply for positions in South Australia (and the rest of Oz) as opposed to application writing methods that I was used to 12 years ago in RSA.
What I would like to do, is to give potential application writers an idea of the jargon that they should learn/embrace ASAP, with other words the thingies that a selection panel would be scanning for when they read your application, and stuff to avoid, (which will either confuse them, or make them think that you are not keyed-in to South Australian conditions.)
1. Don’t refer to school kids as children, kids, pupils. In South Oz we use the terms students or learners.
2. Disciplining of students… Be careful how you use the word discipline. Rather opt for terms like behaviour management or catering for students’ welfare and learning.
Example: “To ensure positive learning outcomes for all students as well as their welfare and safety, I negotiate a class code of conduct with my students in which clear expectations for a safe and positive classroom are laid down, as well as consequences for breaching the code of conduct.”
3. Referring to your experience. Try not to hammer on the word “experience” too much. Consider using other word/terms such as skilled, knowledge etc.
Example: “I have much experience in some First Steps methodologies and during the last year I have upgraded my skills and knowledge with additional training and development about First steps as assessment tools."
Also keep in mind that we use the word qualifications in a wider sense over here. It not only refers to your formal university qualifications, it also includes additional training and development that you undertook after university, as well as skills/knowledge that you have obtained through self-study.
4. Previous schools where you have worked. We tend more to use the term “worksite” here instead of “school”. it is a bit different, but that’s how it is.
Instead of listing the schools where you have worked previously under a heading “Previous Schools where I have taught”, rather opt for a heading like: “A summary of my previous worksites.”
5. Be hyper careful of spelling and grammar. Some applicants do crash in the gate due to not checking their applications thoroughly beforehand. It is always a good idea to let a trusted person/colleague check your application before you send it.
6. In South Australia you will have to write your application in line with a Person/Job Specification that you must obtain for the position before you write your application.
This is very important. When you receive the document (Job/Person Specification) you will note that it mostly have two main components, firstly the job spec which gives an outline of the job description and the person spec, which gives an outline of what is expected (skills, experience, knowledge etc.) of the successful incumbent.
The person spec is very important, as you must address the person spec in your application. In a sense you should use the person spec to sort of project yourself into the position. That you do by talking in your application about your qualifications, other training, skills, knowledge, interests etc. that you will use in the position. You give examples of how you obtained successes and s results in previous positions and also how you envisage that your skills, knowledge etc. will underpin your successful practice in the position that you are applying for.
Keep in mind that when you submit your so-called initial application for South Australia you will also have to address a Person specification. This is not for a specific position in South Australia, but rather for the Department (DECS) to use to ascertain your skills, knowledge, qualifications etc. as an eligible teacher for conditions in South Australia.
This is some aspects in a nutshell. Anyone who need more information please do not hesitate to ask here on the thread or you can also PM me.
Cheers,
LJ
As I often serve on selection commitees, I became quite aware of the jargon/language/lexicon people use when they apply for positions in South Australia (and the rest of Oz) as opposed to application writing methods that I was used to 12 years ago in RSA.
What I would like to do, is to give potential application writers an idea of the jargon that they should learn/embrace ASAP, with other words the thingies that a selection panel would be scanning for when they read your application, and stuff to avoid, (which will either confuse them, or make them think that you are not keyed-in to South Australian conditions.)
1. Don’t refer to school kids as children, kids, pupils. In South Oz we use the terms students or learners.
2. Disciplining of students… Be careful how you use the word discipline. Rather opt for terms like behaviour management or catering for students’ welfare and learning.
Example: “To ensure positive learning outcomes for all students as well as their welfare and safety, I negotiate a class code of conduct with my students in which clear expectations for a safe and positive classroom are laid down, as well as consequences for breaching the code of conduct.”
3. Referring to your experience. Try not to hammer on the word “experience” too much. Consider using other word/terms such as skilled, knowledge etc.
Example: “I have much experience in some First Steps methodologies and during the last year I have upgraded my skills and knowledge with additional training and development about First steps as assessment tools."
Also keep in mind that we use the word qualifications in a wider sense over here. It not only refers to your formal university qualifications, it also includes additional training and development that you undertook after university, as well as skills/knowledge that you have obtained through self-study.
4. Previous schools where you have worked. We tend more to use the term “worksite” here instead of “school”. it is a bit different, but that’s how it is.
Instead of listing the schools where you have worked previously under a heading “Previous Schools where I have taught”, rather opt for a heading like: “A summary of my previous worksites.”
5. Be hyper careful of spelling and grammar. Some applicants do crash in the gate due to not checking their applications thoroughly beforehand. It is always a good idea to let a trusted person/colleague check your application before you send it.
6. In South Australia you will have to write your application in line with a Person/Job Specification that you must obtain for the position before you write your application.
This is very important. When you receive the document (Job/Person Specification) you will note that it mostly have two main components, firstly the job spec which gives an outline of the job description and the person spec, which gives an outline of what is expected (skills, experience, knowledge etc.) of the successful incumbent.
The person spec is very important, as you must address the person spec in your application. In a sense you should use the person spec to sort of project yourself into the position. That you do by talking in your application about your qualifications, other training, skills, knowledge, interests etc. that you will use in the position. You give examples of how you obtained successes and s results in previous positions and also how you envisage that your skills, knowledge etc. will underpin your successful practice in the position that you are applying for.
Keep in mind that when you submit your so-called initial application for South Australia you will also have to address a Person specification. This is not for a specific position in South Australia, but rather for the Department (DECS) to use to ascertain your skills, knowledge, qualifications etc. as an eligible teacher for conditions in South Australia.
This is some aspects in a nutshell. Anyone who need more information please do not hesitate to ask here on the thread or you can also PM me.
Cheers,
LJ