
Opleiding: PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages
Learning purpose
The PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages course prepares you for a career as a specialist teacher of Modern Languages in secondary schools. The course aims to extendyour subject knowledge application in Modern Foreign Languages, enabling you to teach across the 11 to 18 age range. We are looking to train French, German and Spanish languageteachers.
The Modern Foreign Languages course has a strong emphasis on the use of ICT in the teaching of languages and encouragesyou to develop innovative approaches to teaching languages in schools;it is practical in nature and there are strong links with partner schools where mentors become involved in the University based studies. Students on theModern Foreign Languages coursegenerally come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures and this adds to the richness of the provision.
You may be eligible for a £9,000 bursary if you are a UK applicant and have a good first degree (22 or above).
Our PGCE Secondary courses were gradedGood with Oustandingfeatures in March 2010.
Key strengths that Ofsted idenfitied include
- Good quality trainees who exhibit strong professional attributes
- The inclusive nature of Middlesex
- High quality pastoral care for trainees
The course provides a fast learning curve moving from theoretical ideas to practical teaching and learning strategies that can be applied in the classroom.As a trainee, you willneed lots of enthusiasm to match that of the pupils they teach and university tutors that they work with.
Thecourse will
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of pupils and their learning
- Equipyou with the pedagogic knowledge, understanding and skills to teach effectively across the 11-18 age range
- Develop yourunderstanding of the secondary curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages
- Enable you to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multifaith settings and schools in an international, urban environment
- Train you to be able to meet the teaching standards in the stated age range of the secondary school
- Enable you to critically understand current research and advanced scholarship in secondary education
- Enable you to demonstrate expertise in highly specialised professional skills in contexts needing initiative and take personal responsibility for decision making in complex and unpredictable situations.
Programme
Subject studies A structured programme of subject teaching methodology and application workshops and seminars.
School-based studies You are required to spend two-thirds (120 days) of thecourse in school. We have developed a partnership scheme with 150 participating secondary schools situated throughout the North London boroughs, Essex and Hertfordshire. In each school you will be assigned a personal mentor who is a subject teacher. You will experience two consecutive secondary school placements. The objective of the school experience is to develop your generic and subject teaching skills to at least the level of competence expected of a newly qualified teacher.
Professional studies This is a programme of lectures and seminars focusing on contemporary issues in education and professional development. This part of the programme takes place partly at the University and partly at school by lectures, workshops and seminars to mixed subject groups.
The programme is based at Trent Park and in schools. You will find this an intensive 36-week, five-days-a-week programme, during which you will also have directed work to carry out during the Christmas and Easter holiday.
Subject studies are assessed by a portfolio of coursework and a school-based special study (a teaching resource). Progressive developments of teaching skills are recorded using criteria referenced assessment proforma. Professional studies are assessed by a range of written tasks. Observation of the students, teaching and evaluative discussions with course tutors and school based mentors and teachers.
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- School Experience 1 (20 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to prepare students for their first School Experience by supporting their preparation and enabling them to collaborate with each other, their subject mentors, and co-ordinating mentors so that they can address the standards specified by the statutory teaching standards, while undertaking on School Experience 1. The school based element of the module is 46 days.
- School Experience 2 (40 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to provide an extended, individual school experience across 11-16, 11-18 or 14-19 where students build upon their experience on school experience 1. They build up to a 60% teaching load across the placement, which is 74 days in total, across a 6 month period, so that they can address the standards specified by the the statutory teaching standards.
Entry Requirements
You need at least 2:2 Bachelors hons degree in a subject relevant to your chosen subject area. As schools are looking for teachers who can offer two languages,competence in a second Modern Foreign language is desirable for acceptance on to the course. You must also have a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths,Equivalency tests for GCSE English and Maths will only be provided in exceptional circumstances. It is also recommended that you undertake at least 2 weeks work experience within a Secondary Modern Foreign Language classroom before applying.
Professional perspective and employment market
Secondary Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages
Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you're studying with us - and after you've graduated.
Placements
Work placements are integral to the PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages degree. Our course is well-known for having a strong and committed partnership with local schools, whose mentors and class teachers train with the University. As a student, you will have the opportunity for rich and varied placements in the multilingual, multicultural and multifaith schools.

