PGCE Secondary - MFL

Course details

With a focus on French and German or Spanish, the PGCE Secondary – Modern Foreign Languages equips you with the skills to teach modern languages and share the importance of language learning to understand other cultures and backgrounds.

Whether designing engaging lesson plans, creating a stimulating learning environment, or developing the skills to encourage student participation, you will gain the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to make the study of languages accessible and stimulating in a classroom environment. The course also addresses the challenges of teaching languages and encourages an appreciation of languages in a predominantly monolingual society.

Offering a combination of academic and practical learning, the PGCE extends your awareness of the range and scope of modern foreign languages as a curriculum subject across the 11-16 age range, covering the four essential skills areas of talking, listening, reading, and writing.

Successful completion of the PGCE leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by Durham University and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. The QTS element is accredited by Newcastle University and awarded by the Department of Education.

We pride ourselves on offering a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you on your successful career as an Early Career Teacher. We emphasise your entitlement to the Core Content Framework throughout our PGCE course to fully prepare you for the Early Career Framework, which will support you during your first two years of teaching as an Early Career Teacher.

The University-based sessions focus on a weekly specific pedagogical theme, integrated with sessions devoted to your subject specialism, delivered by subject specialists in the University and the school partnership.

The Professional Studies sessions explore your understanding of critical concepts and classroom practice, allowing you to reflect on your teacher identity and progress as a developing teacher.

Students need to have: UK 2:2 honours degree of which approximately 50% is comprised of Modern Foreign Languages or a similar subject. If your degree is from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC; Significant and relevant subject knowledge and recent experience of the science teaching environment. This should be demonstrated at both application and interview; A demonstrable an interest and involvement in the lives and development of young people; GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C or above (or equivalent) which must be achieved at the time of application. If your equivalent qualifications are from an overseas institution, you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC; Applicants with non-standard qualifications, for example, access routes into higher education are welcome to apply; Applications from mature applicants pursuing a career change; Pass the QTS Skills Tests by 1st August prior to the beginning of the programme; Must have undertaken, or intend to undertake, at least ten days of work experience in a UK mainstream school environment within the last three years. This must be completed before 1st August in the year of entry; Must have completed the 10 day Primary School Experience in a UK Primary School (or a Primary School which follows the English National Curriculum) prior to commencing the University course in mid-September. Offer holders will arrange this for themselves in their own local area.