What is Phonics teaching?
For most parents in India, Phonics is something that they get introduced to in case their kids are sent to Montessori schools. This is one of the strongest bases of reading and writing in the Montessori Method of teaching.
If you are wondering what Phonics is, it is just a way of teaching reading and writing with the help of sounds. The difference between the traditional and the phonics method is that in phonics, the emphasis is more on the sounds rather than the Alphabets themselves. Kids are taught to associate a sound with the alphabet that improves their comprehension skills. It also helps them read faster and improves their spelling skills. This skill helps them through life, as they learn to code and decode the words based on the sounds.
Career choices and options
Apart from Montessori, many primary educationists and schools use Phonics as a method of teaching. And hence in a country like India, the scope for a Phonics teacher is very vast. For people who have a passion for teaching, this is a very good option that can help them have a lifelong career. A teacher never retires and will remain one all through life!
There are many teacher training courses that one can opt for, to become a Phonics teacher and in Montessori teacher training it is covered as part of the syllabus. Even in traditional schools, the pre-primary teaching mostly follows the Phonics teaching and is widely preferred. This is a time tested method that has been used widely across the world and hence is very popular.
There are workshops as well as certificate and diploma courses of varying tenures that you can explore. Almost every city in India have centers that provide teacher courses and associated career opportunities.
Once you complete a teachers training course, the options available are to join schools or start a pre-school of one’s own. If taking up a career as a teacher, then the chances are there to grow in the career path to become a Principal. The roles that can be taken up in schools are as teachers, course designers or administrators.
However, if you are entrepreneurially inclined, then the sky is the limit once you set up your own venture. The beauty with this is, you start small and expand gradually. Success is at your beckoning! And you can continue to teach while you may also employ a few other like-minded and passionate people to help you.
Earning potential
Depending on the location and grade, the starting salaries for a Phonics teacher can range from Rs. 8000 to Rs. 25000. It only increases with experience. If however you decide to start a center of your own, you may actually start breaking even in one year or thereabouts.
There is always a high demand for quality education in the pre – school domain and Phonics teaching plays a big part in this. It is important to get the foundation right for the next generation and that is why, if you choose to be a Phonics teacher, you will be a part of this revolution. Realize your potential to teach and also earn, by taking up a Phonics teacher training course and enjoy a satisfying career.
