PGCE Secondary Education with Modern Foreign Languages

Duration: 1 year full-time.

Requirements:

Applicants must have a degree at 2:1 although a 2:2 will be considered and GCSE grade 5 or grade C or above for English and Mathematics. You must have passed the literacy/numeracy skills tests and have experience of working with young people.

Applicants need a degree in a first foreign language and at least CEFR level B1 in a second foreign language which they will train to teach. You must be fluent in written and spoken English (C1 or C2 level) if a non-native speaker of English.

UCAS code: R9X1

Fees UK students: £9,250

Fees for International students: £11,000

View Full Entry Requirements

Please note that Level 2 Key Skills in Application of Numbers and Communication or Certificates in Adult Literacy or Numeracy, are not sufficient to meet the entry requirements to a PGCE programme.

All PGCE applicants will need to meet the following:

Recent secondary school classroom observation experience.
To be able to clearly and accurately communicate both spoken and written English.
Candidates must take part in individual and group interviews with representatives from schools as well as University tutors.

You will be required to:

Provide a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), Enhanced Disclosure, related to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Joint Circular ‘Protection of Children’.
Meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach as detailed in ‘Fit to Teach’ by completing an on-line medical questionnaire.

Course Overview

Give your secondary education career a solid start with our specialist PGCE. On the Secondary Education with Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) PGCE, you’ll build on your existing qualification to become the kind of teacher who makes a real difference in pupils’ lives.

On completion of this course, you’ll be fully prepared to support pupils aged from 11 to 16 (key stages three and four) in their secondary education, and have the opportunity to teach post 16 learners supporting them in their A level studies.

PGCE Modern Languages comprises four main areas which are general professional studies, curriculum studies (with MFL-specific methodology), placements in lead and second schools (with a minimum of 120 days over three terms) and academic assignments.

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You’ll explore a range of topics to give you a deep understanding of what teachers need to do on a daily basis in order to be effective in their role. We’re committed to enhancing your natural passion for teaching, developing your subject knowledge, and helping you apply new-found knowledge and skills to lessons. To help you make a strong start funded (optional) MFL Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses are available too.

Why this course at Marjon?

Marjon University Teacher Education Partnership is a well-established partnership between the University and schools in the South West, London and Service Children’s Education.
96% for Overall Satisfaction for our Initial Teacher Training outperforming the sector (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2016).
Partnership tutors engage in hard hitting research supporting key priorities and empowering teachers.
The Partnership recognises the value of excellent role models in initial teacher training and promotes the involvement of outstanding teachers and Specialist Leaders in Education in working with trainees.
Marjon Education graduates are the highest earning teachers in Wales and the Southwest (DfE LEO data 2017).

Perfect if you're curious about:

How can I build strong relationships with pupils, colleagues and parents in school?
How can I promote a love of learning in my pupils and a passion for learning new languages?
How can I use modern culture, media and arts in making learning languages relevant?
What can I career pathways are open to me as a modern Foriegn Langauges specialst in schools?
How do good teachers keep on top of their workload?
How do I best prepare for applying for teaching jobs?

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Modules

The PGCE gains you 60 master's credits alongside QTS, this is broken down in to 4 x 15 credit modules and a Professional module for QTS. All modules are compulsory.

Teacher Education and Professional Learning
Teaching and learning in schools is ever changing, this module enables you to explore and critique the relationship between research, policy and practice. You will be assessed through critical reflection or current education practices in a written coursework.
Subject knowledge pedagogy and learning
Effective teaching and learning in schools requires teachers to have high level of subject knowledge in History and an understanding of how to enable learners in school to understanding it and make it relevant.
Learning and cognition
Learning in schools is experienced differently by diverse groups of pupils and diverse educational settings. This module explores theoretical underpinnings that dictate how teachers choose to teach and how pupil engage in learning.
Reflecting on learning
The success of you as a teacher is measured by the impact you have on pupil learning, this module enable you to explore your impact on the pupils you teach over time and the impact of this on your own professional learning and development.

What might you become?

The quality of our graduates is well recognised both locally and nationally and, as such, a very high proportion of graduates gain immediate employment or enrol on Masters programmes to further their studies. Our employment data for the last three years shows MFL trainee teachers are employed above the region and sector averages.

“I love interacting, helping and making a difference in the lives of my students. My training provided me with great opportunities to develop my teaching skills in a controlled environment. The continuous and constructive feedback I received after my lessons really helped me to know what to do to improve. The structure of the course is very similar to the life of a full time teacher, which makes the transition from trainee teacher to NQT very smooth.”

“I am passionate about languages and I really enjoy observing how pupil’s minds open up and embrace a new way of thinking. Learning languages is not only about how well can you communicate in a language, it is also about becoming a global citizen. I developed my teaching skills thanks to continuous support and advice from tutors and colleagues. Being placed in two different schools gave me the opportunity to learn how the education system works and enabled to me become a better practitioner.”

“I did my PGCE at Marjon where I attended theoretical sessions about educational approaches, how learning takes place, how the English school system works etc. I was a trainee at two different schools where I could apply everything I had learnt at University. We had specific sessions on how to teach a language. When I started my first placement I knew what to do and expect thanks to those sessions. I am really glad I did it!”

How will you be taught?

Collaborative learning, critical reflection and a strong culture of support underpin the PGCE Modern Languages. You will have a minimum of 120 days in school in 2 block placements and 12 weeks in University undertaking a range of activities, teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, tutorials, independent study or research and school based training.

How will you be assessed?

Assessments relates to your development of practice in school. All are coursework based, you will generate reflective journals, portfolios, essays and presentations.

Lecturers

Gillian Golder

Associate Dean

Gill Golder is Director of Marjon Teacher Education Partnership, she taught in schools for 13 years before joining the University, she works with schools, MATS and alliances to support whole school improve, develop evidence based practice and support teacher development. She spends some of her time in Westminster discussing latest ideas and initiatives with the Department for Education and other Education group.

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Alison Keyworth

Director of the Institute of Education

Alison has experience of strategic and operational leadership and management within the secondary and HE sectors and is instrumental in the training and quality assuring of in-school coaches/mentors.

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More Info

See our PGCE and School Direct presentation.

Funding

Information on funding from the Dept of Education and National College of Teaching and Leadership.
Government-funded bursaries are available to PGCE students subject to the classification of your degree.

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Findings from Ofsted 2014:

A key strength of the partnership is "how well the partnership prepares trainees to make them employable, leading to all securing, and remaining in, teaching posts".
"Successful completion and employment rates are consistently high and well above national and regional averages".
A key strength of the programme identified was "trainees’ passion for their subject and the teaching of it, and their relentless focus on developing their subject knowledge and how to apply it to their lessons".

Book an Open Day How to apply for this course