Certificate in Teacher Aiding (Level 4)

Qualification code:: OP4100

Level:: 4

Credits:: 40

Teacher aides play an important role in supporting children’s learning in New Zealand schools.

If you’re working as a teacher aide in a primary or intermediate school, or would like to, then this part-time programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to do the job effectively. You will study by distance and do the practical work in a school, with support from both the school and your Open Polytechnic tutor.

The Certificate in Teacher Aiding qualification is approved by NZQA and is recognised in schools throughout the country. It comprises one core course and a group of four elective courses.

Graduates of OP4290 Out of School Care & Recreation Certificate:

If you have already completed OP4290 Out of School Care & Recreation Certificate you can credit some modules to OP4100 Certificate in Teacher Aiding. Please contact us for more information.

How to enrol

This qualification is open for admission throughout the year and each course starts on the first Monday of the month you choose for enrolment.

If you are a new student:

Select the course(s) you wish to enrol in, select "add to enrolment" and you will be guided through our online enrolment process.
You must enrol first in 4971 Introduction to Teacher Aiding. Once you have successfully completed 4971, you enrol in the four elective courses as a group.
As part of the online enrolment process you will need to provide a Workplace Support Reference, to confirm you meet the on-job requirements of the course. Ensure you have the name, email address and telephone number of the Principal of the school you are working in before you start the enrolment process.
Scroll down for more information about Workplace Support.

If you are a re-enrolling student:

Select the course(s) you wish to enrol in, select "add to enrolment" and you'll be guided through our 3-step online enrolment process. You will be asked to login using your student number before you proceed with your enrolment.
Before we can finish processing your enrolment, you will need to provide a Workplace Support Reference, to confirm you meet the on-job requirements of the course. Download our Workplace Support Reference form and provide it to your school Principal to complete.
Scroll down for more information about Workplace Support.
You can scan and email documents to oscartac@openpolytechnic.ac.nz or post to Open Polytechnic, Programme Leader - Teacher Aiding, Education Studies, Private Bag 31914, Lower Hutt 5040

You must complete your study within the given start and end dates for each course. After you have enrolled, you'll receive login details for My Open Polytechnic, where you can access your course dates.

Admission requirements

This qualification is available to both New Zealand and international students who are living in New Zealand. International students living in New Zealand must have a valid work permit with a Variation of Conditions that allows them to work and study part-time.

You can enrol in this qualification if you:

Are 17 years of age or older
Have access to a primary or intermediate school to meet the on-job requirements of the qualification.

Note: In some cases, on-job work in a secondary school may be approved. Please contact us for more information.

If you are not currently employed as a teacher aide, you will need to volunteer at a local school.

We will need the Principal to confirm they are happy for you to volunteer at the school. You will be asked to provide the Principal's contact details when you apply to enrol online, and we will contact them on your behalf.

The school will require that you get a police clearance before you start to work there.

English language proficiency

You need to be able to read and write well in English so you can understand written course material and complete your assignments. As this qualification has an on-job requirement, you also need to speak English fluently and understand spoken English easily.

As a guide, NCEA Level 1 English credits or School Certificate English (or equivalent) will prepare you for successful study.

If English is not your first language, you must supply evidence of one of the following:

A minimum grade of 5.5 in IELTS (academic) with no sub-score less than 5.5
A minimum score of 500 (essay 3.5 TWE) in TOEFL (pBT) or 60 (writing 20) in TOEFL (iBT)
Passes in other recognised English proficiency tests or other evidence acceptable to the Academic Registrar
Evidence of successful study at another New Zealand tertiary institution
At least five years study at a secondary school where English is the language of instruction.

Other requirements

Each course has recommended resources, and sometimes additional resources, which you can access free of charge through our library. There are no set texts for this qualification.

Course material

You will be provided with the material required to complete each course. The material will include:

Learning guide
Resources
Assignment/s.

Internet access is required for 4974 Supporting ICT Learning and 4976 Developing Bicultural Awareness. For all other courses, it is recommended.

Qualification structure

This qualification is made up of one core course (4971 Introduction to Teacher Aiding) and a group of four elective courses. You must pass 4971 before enrolling in the group of four electives. Once you have successfully completed both 4971 and the four electives you will then receive your Certificate in Teacher Aiding (Level 4).

Please note, 4971 is unavailable for enrolment during December and January, this is due to students being unable to complete the practical requirements of the course during the Summer break.

Elective 4972 is only available to those upgrading to the new qualification. If you are not upgrading then you cannot select this course as part of your four electives.

Upgrading students

If you have already completed OP3500 and are upgrading to this new qualification then you do not need to complete 4971. You will only need to complete four electives, one of which must be 4972.

In addition you must:

Work as a teacher aide or volunteer teacher aide in a primary or intermediate school for at least 5 hours each week while you are studying.
Pass the assignments for each course.

Fees shown below are quoted in New Zealand dollars for New Zealand students. To see international and full fees please click See International on the cost tab below.

Course code and name		Level	Credits	2013 Cost See international See domestic	Availability Jun 2013 Jul 2013 Aug 2013
Compulsory The following course is required
4971	Introduction to Teacher Aiding	4	20	$421 NZ $1,264 $421	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
Elective Group Select FOUR
4972	Working Professionally	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4973	Supporting Special Education Learners	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4974	Supporting Information and Communication Technology Learning	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4975	Working in a School Library	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4976	Developing Bicultural Awareness	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4977	Responding Positively to Children's Behaviour	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014
4978	Supporting English Language Learners	4	5	$47 NZ $145 $47	Enrol by Course starts Course ends 31 May 2013 3 Jun 2013 12 Jan 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 28 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 9 Feb 2014 Enrol by Course starts Course ends 26 Jul 2013 5 Aug 2013 16 Mar 2014

What you will learn

When you have completed this qualification, you should:

Have the knowledge, understanding and skills required to work as a teacher aide in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools
Have a variety of career opportunities such as paid employment as a teacher aide, work in special education, and teacher training
Be prepared for further study.

Assessment

This qualification is internally assessed. There is no exam. The assignments include written, oral and practical tasks. Your school support person will be required to verify some tasks.

Brochure and more information

For more information, view the brochure below or request a brochure to be sent to you. If you have any questions please contact us.

Workplace Support

You need to be working as a teacher aide (paid or voluntary) in a primary or intermediate school in order to meet the on-job requirements of the Certificate in Teacher Aiding*.

You need to work on teacher aide duties in a school for at least one day (or 5 hours) a week over the period of your study. During your time in a school, you need to work under supervision with individual children, or groups of children, within a classroom setting. You will complete your study by distance learning, while meeting the on-job requirements of the programme and will be supported by your Open Polytechnic tutor and a school support person in your place of work.

As a guide, the school support person will need to spend up to half an hour a week with you on such things as:

classroom protocol;
setting up activities where you can observe or work with selected child/ren or observe teaching;
directing you to the physical resources, information or people needed to complete an activity or assignment task;
explaining the school’s policies or procedures;
giving feedback on an activity;
encouraging you throughout the course.

Most of this support can be provided in a brief weekly meeting. The school is not required to assess your work, but will need to verify some of your tasks.

Please note, the school will ask you to undergo a police clearance when you start, if you don't already have a current one. They can also request that you complete a follow up clearance every 12 months. Your school will also be responsible for your workplace health and safety while you are working in their school.

* In some cases, work in a secondary school may be approved. Applicants must get this approval from the programme leader before enrolling.

Get the brochure | Format: pdf | Size: 321 KB

Certificate in Teacher Aiding

Certificate in Teacher Aiding (Level 4)

How to enrol

If you are a new student:

If you are a re-enrolling student:

Admission requirements

English language proficiency

Other requirements

Course material

Qualification structure

Compulsory

Elective Group

What you will learn

Assessment

Brochure and more information

Workplace Support

Get the brochure | Format: pdf | Size: 321 KB

Study with us

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