Modern Languages PGCE

About this course

Learn to be a fully qualified teacher of French, German or Spanish on this Modern Languages PGCE Secondary course. You’ll divide your time between the University of Southampton and school placements as you develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to teach the subject to pupils aged 11 to 16 (Key Stages 3 and 4). With this qualification you’ll be able to work in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.

On this Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course we’ll train you to teach all secondary school pupils within the UK’s National Curriculum for Languages framework.

You’ll learn the best techniques for teaching young people to listen, speak, read and write in a foreign language, and to appreciate other cultures.

During this course you’ll:

• develop awareness of the place of modern languages in British schools
• learn how to plan and teach within curriculum guidelines
• think critically about the language teaching and learning
• explore and assess different teaching styles to develop your own method and skills

Through university sessions and placement practice you’ll also learn essential skills such as:

• managing the classroom
• monitoring and assessing pupils
• teaching inclusively

You'll put what you’ve learned into practice through placements at 2 schools in or near Southampton. You'll spend at least 120 days on placement. You’ll start by observing lessons and working with small groups of students. When you’re ready, you’ll get your first experience of teaching the whole class. You’ll have the support of a school-based mentor throughout this time.

You’ll develop your subject-specific skills and best practice in your sessions at the University. You’ll use also this time to prepare for your placements, and evaluate your school-based work.

Careers

Successfully completing this course will give you Qualified Teacher Status in addition to your PGCE award. This means you'll be able to work a teacher of French, German or Spanish in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.

We have high employment rates from our PGCE Secondary courses, with many trainees going on to work in our partnership schools.

If you choose to continue your studies, the credits you build up from your master’s-level modules can be put towards a future master’s degree qualification.

Students will need a degree with at least 50% foreign language content at least 2 foreign languages, including French; GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language and maths.