PGCE Secondary Education: Modern Foreign Languages

Entry requirements

You will have to possess a real interest and aptitude for modern foreign languages and an ability to think creatively about presenting the relevant language(s) and associated cultures to others. Candidates will be expected to teach a wide range of vocabulary, topics and grammatical structures in order to develop pupils’ linguistic competence and ability to express their ideas and opinions in speech and in writing. You will need to be confident in the use of authentic foreign language materials, in teaching pupils to translate into and out of the foreign language and in working with literary texts such as stories, songs, poems and letters. Above all, you will need a real commitment to the education of young people. Also you will need:

• To hold a first degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification.

For example Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of science (BSc) etc. or similar . They are sometimes known as 'undergraduate' or 'first' degrees.

• To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics.
• To have taken part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach, which will include as a minimum both an interview and audit of your subject knowledge.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses, GCSE English Literature, GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations, Key Skills Level 2 or Functional Skills Level 2.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for Initial Teacher Training courses.

The PGCE in Secondary Education is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school.

Modern Foreign Languages are an exciting and relevant part of the school curriculum. Pupils learn skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation, in a wide range of contexts drawing upon authentic foreign language materials and literary texts. As a trainee you will learn how to teach any combination of French, German and/or Spanish to pupils in the 11-16 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional primary and post-16 enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching modern foreign languages through a combination of university-led and school-led training.

Successful completion of the course will lead to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), along with 60 credits at Master’s level.