If you are considering becoming a teaching assistant and wondering where to start, you have come to the right place. We will take you through becoming a teacher, meaning which qualifications you will need to be a level 2 teaching assistant.
What does a Teaching Assistant do?
Teaching Assistant, also known as paraprofessional, para-educator or teacher’s aide, has a primary role in the modern-day classroom, providing help and support to teachers in a wide range of tasks and activities. Although they may be employed in higher education settings and nurseries, teaching assistants often work in primary and secondary educational institutions, supporting teachers in a wide range of tasks and activities.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Teaching Assistant?
You can become a Level 2 Teaching Assistant by obtaining two qualifications Level 2 Award in Teaching Assistant and Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Assistant. You can undertake either of these based on your requirements and level of experience.
Level 2 Award in Teaching Assistant (Support Work in Schools)
This Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools is an entry-level and introductory teaching assistant course. This basic certification is perfect for those who wish to become teaching assistants. With only 5 units, it helps learners develop skills regarding child development, communication and professional relationships with children and adults along with creating an inclusive classroom.
Learn Everything about Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools Here
Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Assistant (Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools)
This Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is ideal for learners who are interested in working as a teaching assistant or learning support assistant. With 11 units, learners can learn how to take care of their students’ well-being, create inclusivity, and incorporate team-building skills in children, and much more.
Key Skills for Becoming a Level 2 Teacher Assistant
Possessing these skills will make your job role easier as a Level 2 Award in Teaching Assistant:
- Good communication skills to interact with all age groups
- Organisation skills to handle multiple tasks while monitoring students’ progress
- Satisfactory literacy and numeracy skills
- Multitasking
Level 2 Teaching Assistant Roles
The roles of Level 2 Teaching Assistant are:
- Delivering tailored learning lessons and making sure everyone stays engaged.
- Managing challenging behaviour and supporting emotional development.
- Providing administrative support
- Helping children with their assigned tasks and assisting teachers in completing records and planning lessons.
- Keeping teachers informed regarding students’ progress and areas of concern.
Career Progression after Level 2 Teaching Assistant
By completing a Level 2 Teaching Assistant course, you will gain fundamental knowledge and skills. If you wish to take on a more advanced position, such as a ‘Special Needs Assistant‘, consider enrolling on the Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (Teaching Assistant).
On the contrary, if you have little to no experience, enrolling on a Level 2 or Level 3 Award in TA will be an ideal option.
You can learn more about How to Become a SEN Teaching Assistant Here
What are the Practical Requirements to Become a Level 2 TA?
There are two Level 2 Teaching Assistant courses with different practical requirements which are as follows:
- Level 2 Award in Teaching Assistant (Support Work in Schools): There are no practical requirements for this course. However, learners will be assessed via multiple written assignments.
- Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Assistant (Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools): Learners must work in an appropriate school environment in order to demonstrate their competence. Moreover, learners are to be supervised by a qualified teacher willing to attest to a range of activities and oversee their practical evidence gathering.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Level 2 Teaching Assistant?
Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Assistant (Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools) is a basic TA course that has 188 hours of Total Qualification Time (TQT). Whether you want to complete the course in 4 to 9 months or less, the completion time of the course completely depends on your schedule.
In opposition to that, the Level 2 Award in Teaching Assistant only takes 120 hours to complete. Learners can complete the course in either 1 week or up to 4 months as per their level of dedication.
Can I Become a Level 2 Teaching Assistant without any Prior Experience?
Yes, you can become a teaching assistant without any prior experience; to enrol on any of the Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualifications, you only need to be 16 years or above.
Conclusion
We can say that, though a Level 2 Teaching Assistant requires a passion for working with children, it provides a solid foundation for aspiring learners who want to pursue a career in this field. Not only that, this course will allow you to work at special needs school but with further study and experience you can become a fully qualified teacher.
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