Q I have a degree in law and have done the bar exams, coupled with six months of being a court advocate, and have decided after a lot of time and effort that I would like to teach law. I have some voluntary teaching experience. I have also taught English as a foreign language, and done some tutoring. What are my options?

A You seem to have two choices. Either to teach in the further education sector, where you would probably find yourself lecturing on a mixture of vocational and academic courses, or try to find a school that teaches law in the sixth form. But if you want to teach in a school you will need a second string to your bow as there is unlikely to be enough law teaching to fill a timetable. Your TEFL background may be useful.

To teach in schools you will need to obtain qualified teacher status. This can be achieved through a training course, although none specifically covers law alone, or by training in school through the graduate teacher programme.

Q I would like to apply for the fast track programme, but last year there wasn’t a provider near where I live. Is there anything I can do, apart from moving?

A Hope may be at hand. In its first two years the fast track programme was limited to courses at certain designated providers, but this proved too restrictive to people who couldn’t move. The Department for Education and Skills plans to open up the scheme to allow students anywherein England to join the programme if they pass the rigorous selection procedure. Full details should be posted on the website (see www.dfes.gov.uk). One possible drawback for some people is that you will have to change schools after three years in your first post.

John Howson is visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University and managing director of Education Data Surveys. Do you have a career question for him? Email: susan.young@newsint.co.uk