Secondary (11-18) Modern Foreign Languages

Program Overview

This PGCE Secondary (11-18) in Modern Foreign Languages with QTS program from the University of Bolton equips aspiring teachers with the knowledge, skills, and QTS certification to teach Modern Foreign Languages (French and/or Spanish) in secondary schools. It combines university tuition with school-based experience and offers diverse placement opportunities to enhance professional development. Graduates will be qualified to inspire the next generation of language learners while addressing the shortage of Modern Foreign Languages teachers in the UK.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This PGCE Secondary (11-18) Modern Foreign Languages with QTS will support you in gaining the skills and knowledge needed to teach Modern Foreign Languages in the secondary sector and inspire the next generation of young people.

Objectives:

• Gain the skills and knowledge needed to teach Modern Foreign Languages in the secondary sector.
• Inspire the next generation of young people.
• Learn what it takes to teach.

Program Description:

• This master's level Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme offers you a range of experience in secondary schools.
• You will gain knowledge of diverse socio-economic settings and students with different needs and abilities.
• Your subject-specialist mentor will support you throughout your training, and university tutors will help you develop research-informed approaches to teaching in secondary schools.
• Our highly experienced team will focus on helping you to develop your skills in teaching one main specialist language from Spanish and French, although teaching both is advantageous.
• You may also have the opportunity to enhance your expertise in Mandarin, depending on the opportunities available in your placement schools.
• There is a national shortage of Modern Foreign Languages teachers (1).
• This PGCE ensures you will have access to a minimum of 120 days of school-based experience that will build your practical expertise.
• When you successfully complete your PGCE and school-based training, you can be recommended for the award of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).

Assessment:

• The modules are assessed in various ways, including portfolios of evidence of lesson planning and teaching resources, written essays, reflective writing, collaborative work, and presentations.
• School-based experiences will be arranged for you and form a core component of the programme.
• Your learning and progress throughout the PGCE will support your learning and progress towards your recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
• During school placements, your teaching practice will be measured and assessed against the Department for Education Teachers' Standards and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals.
• You will evidence your progress on our online learning platform.
• Rather than offering formal 'lectures', we prefer to engage our students in small groups.
• You will be expected to participate in individual and group work during classroom sessions, and we will offer tutorials to supplement class-based learning.
• We will encourage you to reflect on your practice and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Careers:

• If you have a degree and wish to pursue a career in teaching Modern Foreign Languages (French and/or Spanish) in secondary schools, then this course is for you.
• It offers a strong grounding in teaching Modern Foreign Languages and examines how this can support a career as a secondary school teacher.
• Some key transferable skills you could gain include planning, time management, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, analytical and modelling skills, research and self-discipline.
• Graduates of this course will be qualified to teach Modern Foreign Languages in secondary schools.
• Teachers are often employed by state-maintained schools, where your employer is usually the local authority.
• After graduation, you may wish to undertake further study.
• Popular topics include education management, theory and policy.
• You could follow a master's in education, pursue a PhD by research or study for a professional doctorate, options which you can pursue with the University of Bolton.

Other:

• This is a pre-service Initial Teacher Training course.
• You do not need prior teaching experience or current employment in education.
• During the course, you will have the opportunity to gain diverse placement experiences in other institutions to enhance your professional development.
• Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train.
• The programme is aligned with the Department for Education's Teachers' Standards with a final award of PGCE with QTS (upon successful recommendation).
• This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies.
• Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent).
• Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.