Teaching before graduating: a controversial issue

It is widely maintained that, before practising, teachers should undergo several years of training after which they get their degree. Nevertheless, the fact that many students who are advanced in their course of studies actually do work as teachers, not only contradicts this view but also shows a moral dilemma. So, is it ethical to teach before graduating?

On the one hand, it is generally held that in order to teach students a subject, regardless of their age or level, proper training and education are essential. Teacher Training College provides teachers-to-be with the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed choices in class, to plan their lessons, to handle difficulties, among other issues. Therefore, from this point of view, teaching before finishing the course of studies is a must, and working before that time should not be even taken into account.

Furthermore, it is a fact that the moment someone graduates -and not before- he/she is considered a professional. The difference between aspirants to teachers and actual teachers is deeply rooted in our culture. This is best illustrated when a job is offered: in comparison, a graduate teacher will most probably have more chances to be chosen and might -in some cases- be better paid than someone who is still studying. So it can be said that professionals have a sort of implicit right over non-graduate students and this can be taken as another reason why it is ethically questionable for the latter to teach.

On the other hand, working as a teacher gives non-graduate students experience that they, otherwise, would not get until the last year of the course of studies. It is in the classroom that teachers develop new tools and make a more realistic judgement about their profession than the one they bring from Teacher Training College. From this point of view, it can be stated that it is not only ethical but also necessary to teach as an advanced student.

Yet another point in favour of the question of teaching before graduating can be mentioned: one’s own talent. Some people are skilled at teaching, some others are good at bonding with students, and, for some employers, whether these kinds of people have finished their course of studies is not as relevant as the inner ability they possess and the passion with which they practise as teachers. It is true that the book is necessary and should not be ignored but it is also said that “The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.”1

All in all, it may be concluded that despite the fact that educators must be well-prepared before attempting to teach, some variables show how relevant it is to many teachers-to-be to start practising the profession before graduating. From my point of view, both education and working experience are complementary and vital to make a good teacher. So I strongly believe advanced students should not disregard the possibility of teaching, which should not be understood as an ethical dilemma.

1 Author unknown

Self Corrections & After-Writing Reflections