Each week we explain the ins and outs of a job. Today, teaching

What sort of talents and qualities will I need?Communication is the most important aspect of teaching. Whether you are lecturing to 150 third-level students or teaching a single special-needs pupil, you must be able to communicate clearly. All teachers need to be very organised and very patient. They also need to have a good relationship with their students, and a sense of humour helps. Academic ability is important, as points can be high and postgraduate study may be required.

What are my options?Montessori teachers generally work at preschool level (although the methods are suitable for children up to 12). Primary teachers require a bachelor's degree in education or a postgraduate qualification. They teach children between the ages of four and 12. Secondary teachers usually have degrees in non-education subjects, then do postgraduate courses to qualify as teachers of those subjects. Teachers of home economics qualify with a bachelor's degree in education specialising in home economics and another subject, such as biology or a language. Teachers may also specialise in special-needs education. Postgraduate qualifications are available in this area. Teachers of English as a foreign language may end up teaching any age group, from teenagers to businesspeople. A Tefl certificate is the standard qualification.

What Leaving Cert subjects should I be thinking about?Higher-level Irish is an entry requirement for anybody interested in primary teaching.

What courses are available?Bachelor's degrees in education are available at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Froebel College of Education, Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Coláiste Mhuire Marino and the Church of Ireland College of Education in Rathmines. Points are reasonably high, at about 450 for most colleges. A bachelor's in education is also available at St Angela's College, in Sligo. The course is designed to train secondary teachers of home economics and other subjects.

Qualifications in Montessori education are available at many levels, from two-year diploma courses to degrees and postgraduate diplomas. For a full range of the courses available see www.qualifax.ie and type Montessori into the search box.

The quality of Tefl qualifications can vary. There is a recognised benchmark for Tefl qualifications set by the Recognised English Language Schools Association, which is the representative body of more than 60 English-language schools. It requires that approved courses be at least 70 hours long and include teaching practice. It also requires that all those doing the courses be graduates. See www.qualifax.ie.

What sort of work experience might help?Teaching is a vocation. It can be a wonderful job, but it is crucial to gauge whether you might be suited for it. Try doing some work experience in your old school or schools in your area. Other forms of teaching, such as sports coaching, may give you an idea about your suitability, but there is no substitute for classroom experience.