PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) French and Spanish

Overview

You will be part of a cohort of trainees all learning to teach modern foreign languages and working with a dedicated team of MFL teaching experts

The course is active and participatory, placing considerable emphasis on working collaboratively with others and learning together

Building on your existing languages experience you will learn the theoretical and practical approaches to teaching through Key Stages 3-5 in the varied classroom situations you will encounter

Explore the opportunities and challenges that face teachers and learners of modern foreign languages in Britain today, the strategies for language acquisition and the need for strong intercultural understanding

You will develop your confidence, competence and independence as a teacher with the unique

You will join a supportive community of trainees and teachers who are passionate about education and research and will support you during your course and beyond

Achieving the PGCE provides 60 M-level credits alongside your Qualified Teacher Status.

Careers

The PGCE provides excellent grounding for a long career within education, whether you aspire to become an outstanding classroom practitioner, school leader, or specialist in a specific area of education, the opportunities are broad.

Candidates will normally be expected to have a good Honours degree in Spanish (minimum of a 2:2). Other qualifications of degree level equivalence will be considered, e.g. Final Diploma of Institute of Linguists. Native speakers of Spanish should hold a qualification equivalent to a UK degree at a minimum of a 2:2, usually a minimum of 3 years of study at an institution of Higher Education. The qualifications can be in any subject, since they have, by definition, the necessary language skills. An OU degree or other degree qualification in a subject other than a foreign language may be acceptable if the applicant can show at interview that residence abroad or other relevant experience has developed appropriate competence in the Foreign Language. Some further enquiry may be necessary in such cases to ensure adequate written competence and cultural awareness. Trainees in French, German and Spanish must have a second language (even if only at beginners' level) as this will help with the provision of placements, as well as finding a teaching post. However, candidates offering only one language are encouraged to still apply for a place on the course. If successful, and as a condition of their offer, applicants without a second modern language will be directed to apply for Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) funding from the DfE to complete an SKE course in a second language course prior to the PGCE course starting. SKE is also available in applicants’ first language provided they already have a reasonably strong second language. As part of the offer, the Subject Leader will provide information on appropriate courses to attend.