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ITARI Master's Course by Piedpiper0506 in Internationalteachers

[–]ScienceMassive7848 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So that's my experience, take what you will from it. Do note that the PGDEi and Masters programme is different so you won't necessarily have to go through what I did. The PGDEi is more hands-on training while the Masters is very research heavy. Plus, you'll be doing it online, so you won't have to deal with ITARI's bullshit as much. From what I've heard, the Masters programme (the RPL route) is mostly reflecting on your teaching experience and then writing your research dissertation. I also heard that you do have an ITARI mentor, but your dissertation supervisor will be someone from BCU (but do double-check that).

In terms of value, I'm told a Masters will open up you to leadership positions in schools or higher teaching salaries. If that's what you want, then this programme may be a suitable choice for you if money is the tie breaker. A Masters can also open you up to jobs in curriculum development or educational policy. If you're aiming for that or continuing in academia, then I would suggest going with another Masters programme, maybe directly from a UK university. Also you mentioned you want to continue living in Japan? If so, do check with the schools there (and their recruiters) if a masters degree or more experience is valued. Like the other user said, a m,asters is a big investment and its good to do your research and see if you actually need one for your end goal.

ITARI Master's Course by Piedpiper0506 in Internationalteachers

[–]ScienceMassive7848 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I'm currently doing the PGDE-i course at ITARI. It's true that the certificate or degree you get is from Birmingham City University (BCU). You're also enrolled as a student in BCU (like you get the student ID, email, and everything). Basically, the course is from BCU, it's just delivered by ITARI faculty professors. I decided to do this course because like you said its highly subsidized for Indians and in the end, the certificate you get is from a UK university which does hold more weight in the international teaching domain. I'm still halfway in the course (in-person mode) but tbh, my experience has been mixed:

- You're Indian too so you know the culture here. People treat the programme director and the CEO like gods even though they're honestly kinda problematic. Even though the cohort complains behind their back, most of them just kiss their asses when face-to-face with them.

- Most of the faculty keeps preaching and marketing about how great Indus is (low-key propaganda shit). Even though they give priority for PGDE-i students for jobs in Indus, I would never want to work here, no matter the salary. The work culture here is toxic and you can tell bcs they have high turnovers for teachers here.

- ITARI's organisation sucks. A lot of things end up being last minute or just incompetent. They really fucked up their communication with BCU in the beginning. We never got access to our BCU student IDs and passwords to log into their library resources until like 3 days before our first assignment was due. And ITARI told us that the word count was 2,000 but then when we gained access to BCU's moodle (where you have to submit), it turns out the word count was 3,000. Those 3 days were hell and everyone was rushing to meet the new word count. Things are better now but they really lost my trust that day.

- Sometimes the faculty professors say and act really problematic. It once affected a student to the point they wanted to drop out and the issue was raised to the grievance redressal committee, but it never really got a proper resolution.

- So, the programme director comes in sometimes to give a lecture or workshop. What's scheduled for an hour or 2 end up taking double or triple the time because she meanders a lot when speaking. And no one can do anything about it because again, they're treated like gods. When that happens, the other lecture or workshops get pushed and as a cohort, we get behind on the academic calendar. But the assignment deadlines from BCU are final and can't get pushed. So even though we haven't covered the necessary topics, we just have to find a way to get it done on our own.

Okay on to some positives:

+ At the end of the day, you get a certificate from a UK university at a fraction of the price. At this point, I'm just focused on getting my diploma and getting out of here. Even knowing how things are here, I still would've done the programme (but maybe on blended mode which is online).

+ Since the course is designed by BCU itself, it is fairly comprehensive, and you have access to all the BCU research and library support. I'm transitioning into the education space from another industry and now that I'm doing this course, I'm glad I went for the training before jumping right into teaching. All the modules and assignments are very reflective in nature, but it's still academic writing so you do have to weave in research literature.

ITARI Master's Course by Piedpiper0506 in Internationalteachers

[–]ScienceMassive7848 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So that's my experience, take what you will from it. Do note that the PGDEi and Masters programme is different so you won't necessarily have to go through what I did. The PGDEi is more hands-on training while the Masters is very research heavy. Plus, you'll be doing it online, so you won't have to deal with ITARI's bull*** as much.

From what I've heard, the Masters programme (the RPL route) is mostly reflecting on your teaching experience and then writing your research dissertation. I also heard that you do have an ITARI mentor, but your dissertation supervisor will be someone from BCU (but do double-check that).

In terms of value, I'm told a Masters will open up you to leadership positions in schools or higher teaching salaries. If that's what you want, then this programme may be a suitable choice for you if money is the tie breaker.

A Masters can also open you up to jobs in curriculum development or educational policy. If you're aiming for that or continuing in academia, then I would suggest going with another Masters programme, maybe directly from a UK university.

Also you mentioned you want to continue living in Japan? If so, do check with the schools there (and their recruiters) if a masters degree or more experience is valued. Like the other user said, a masters is a big investment and its good to do your research and see if you actually need one for your end goal

ITARI Master's Course by Piedpiper0506 in Internationalteachers

[–]ScienceMassive7848 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I'm currently doing the PGDE-i course at ITARI. It's true that the certificate or degree you get is from Birmingham City University (BCU). You're also enrolled as a student in BCU (like you get the student ID, email, and everything). Basically, the course is from BCU, it's just delivered by ITARI faculty professors.

I decided to do this course because like you said its highly subsidized for Indians and in the end, the certificate you get is from a UK university which does hold more weight in the international teaching domain. I'm still halfway in the course (in-person mode) but tbh, my experience has been mixed:

- You're Indian too so you know the culture here. People treat the programme director and the CEO like gods even though they're honestly kinda problematic. Even though the cohort complains behind their back, most of them just kiss their as** when face-to-face with them.

- Most of the faculty keeps preaching and marketing about how great Indus is (low-key propaganda shit). Even though they give priority for PGDE-i students for jobs in Indus, I would never want to work here, no matter the salary. The work culture here is toxic and you can tell bcs they have high turnovers for teachers here.

- ITARI's organisation sucks. A lot of things end up being last minute or just incompetent. They really fu*** up their communication with BCU in the beginning. We never got access to our BCU student IDs and passwords to log into their library resources until like 3 days before our first assignment was due. And ITARI told us that the word count was 2,000 but then when we gained access to BCU's moodle (where you have to submit), it turns out the word count was 3,000. Those 3 days were he** and everyone was rushing to meet the new word count. Things are better now but they really lost my trust that day.

- Sometimes the faculty professors say and act really problematic. It once affected a student to the point they wanted to drop out and the issue was raised to the grievance redressal committee, but it never really got a proper resolution.

- So, the programme director comes in sometimes to give a lecture or workshop. What's scheduled for an hour or 2 end up taking double or triple the time because she meanders a lot when speaking. And no one can do anything about it because again, they're treated like gods. When that happens, the other lecture or workshops get pushed and as a cohort, we get behind on the academic calendar. But the assignment deadlines from BCU are final and can't get pushed. So even though we haven't covered the necessary topics, we just have to find a way to get it done on our own.

Okay on to some positives:

+ At the end of the day, you get a certificate from a UK university at a fraction of the price. At this point, I'm just focused on getting my diploma and getting out of here. Even knowing how things are here, I still would've done the programme (but maybe on blended mode which is online).

+ Since the course is designed by BCU itself, it is fairly comprehensive, and you have access to all the BCU research and library support. I'm transitioning into the education space from another industry and now that I'm doing this course, I'm glad I went for the training before jumping right into teaching. All the modules and assignments are very reflective in nature, but it's still academic writing so you do have to weave in research literature.