HannahVon

Hi, i'm looking for some advice on starting a PTLLS / 'level 3 Award in Education and Training'... I have a degree in Fine Art, and recently stumbled into a opportunity to start a PTLLS course as early as this April, but I could use some minds to pick before I take the plunge... I've been thinking about trying teaching in the FE sector, possibly a role within an art foundation course. My main reservation is i'm not honestly 100% sure I want to go into teaching. This is why the idea of doing a PTLLS separately (to a PGCE, where i think PTLLS or equivalent is one of the required modules) appeals to me, so that I can 'test the waters. Like a lot of fine art grads, in the long run I want to be an artist and live off my work (or spend *at least* the best part of my twenties making a go of it) ... I'm in a position where I want to focus on my practice, but also don't want to miss out on any potential teaching ops that might occur. I know that you can do other things with this qualification: it looks good on a of, lots of transferable skills etc, etc ... So i figured even if an opportunity to teach doesn't immediately present itself, I'll have the skills and qualification in the bag for if/when it does. Anyway, that's where I stand at the moment. My real questions are: 1) Should I arrange some experience in this sector observing/ volunteering etc before pursuing this? If so how do I go about this/how possible is it? 2) How does FE level compare to other levels of teaching for A&D (eg: secondary, university, upper 6th, etc)? Does it have the same hours, theory/practical workloads, stress, pressure, behaviour problems etc? 3) What is the best way to train for this role? Are there other courses out there more suitable fro FE teaching than PTLLS, if so which ones have a good rep? 4) How difficult would it be to get a job lecturing Art & Design in FE/Sixth Form Colleges/Adult Education? Am I likely to be out of work a lot and having to take posts in schools / do some voluntary (i the answer to this is YES, but i'm hoping to hear some alternative viewpoints... ) 5) Whats the difference between a level 3 and a level 4 PTLLS? Any responses from people who have taught or lectured in art and design / fine art would be much appreciated - but advice from all walks of life is welcomed! Thanks in advance!