Study elementary education abroad

Elementary education programs prepare individuals with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to effectively teach children in the earliest years of their formal education.

You’ll learn about child psychology, teaching methods, types of learners, and classroom management. You’ll be equipped with the tools and confidence to teach fundamental skills and concepts in classroom settings, including reading, writing, basic mathematics, and problem-solving.

Today’s classrooms are increasingly diverse and home to children from various countries and cultures. By studying elementary education abroad, you’ll develop the experience and empathy needed to relate to children, no matter their background. You’ll see how teaching techniques vary overseas and can use what you’ve learned to inform and improve your own practice.

You can study both undergraduate and postgraduate elementary education programs. A bachelor’s degree is the most common course of study and is offered as either a BA or BSc over three to four years.

Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s in elementary education, or if you already have a degree in another subject, you can apply to study one of the following master’s degrees: MA, MS, or Master of Education (MEd). These usually take one or two years to finish, depending on whether you study full or part-time.

If you want to work as an elementary school teacher in the US, you’ll need a valid license that you’ll gain once you’ve finished your BA. Some states will also require a master’s degree.

Teaching works a little differently in the UK. After finishing gaining your bachelor’s in primary education, you’ll become a newly-qualified teacher and will begin a supervised induction program in a school. If you’ve got a bachelor’s in another subject, you’ll need a post-graduate certificate in education (PGCE), which is the equivalent of a master’s.

After gaining your master’s you can go onto pursue a PhD, which typically takes five years to complete. You’ll gather knowledge through lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. One of the best ways to accelerate your learning is to gain hands-on experience in classroom environments. So, for most programs, you’ll need to complete placements in local schools.

The exact content and structure of elementary education programs vary from university to university. However, there are some core areas of study you can expect to encounter, including:

• Key concepts in elementary education
• Learning and teaching in the elementary years
• Introduction to childhood psychology
• Contemporary issues in childhood
• Introduction to planning
• Legislation, policies, and procedures in elementary education
• Inclusive education and practice
• Assessing and evaluating teaching and learning

As an elementary education graduate, you’ll have the tools that you need to begin a rewarding and fulfilling career in early-years education. You’ll also have acquired plenty of transferable skills that could be applied to a wide range of professional roles. Here are some of the most common graduate careers:

• Elementary school teacher
• Early years practitioner
• Nursery manager
• Classroom assistant
• Youth sports coach
• Special educational needs practitioner
• Family services worker

Whichever role you decide to pursue, it’s a good idea to gain as much work experience as possible. Work with your university’s career service to see if you can organize any additional placement and internship opportunities that will improve your employability.