PGCE Secondary Education with Modern Foreign Languages

Become a language teacher in a secondary school.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Entry requirements

A degree at 2:2 or above.

GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification).

Experience of working with young people.

Course Summary

Our PGCE Modern Languages builds on your existing language qualifications 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 - general professional studies, curriculum studies (with modern languages specific methodology), placements in lead and second schools a minimum of 120 days over three terms) and academic assignments.

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 and optional MFL Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses are available too ahead of starting PGCE Modern Languages.

Why this course at Marjon?

Our trainees scored us 89% student satisfaction for postgraduate teacher training, this puts us in the top 25% quartile of all providers in England (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2019).

93.9 % of our graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2%. We are 1st in the South West and 6th in England (LEO, 2019).

Marjon Teacher Education Partnership has well-established links with schools across the South West, London and Service Children’s Education, our connections span over 300 schools and settings.

Marjon education and teaching graduates are 3rd in all University providers for graduate earnings five years after leaving the university (Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2018).

Marjon Graduates are more socially mobile than other providers across the South West with more trainees gaining NQT employment in more diverse areas (DFE Supply, Retention and Mobility data, 2018).

We recognise the value of excellent role models in initial teacher training and promote the involvement of outstanding teachers and specialist leaders in education in working with trainees.

Students say...

Bracken Brown

“I find our subject specific lectures engaging and our MFL tutor, Caroline, is inspirational. The opportunities provided at both University and on placement are brilliant and I’ve enjoyed teaching a range of students and classes. My confidence has improved so much both through teaching classes and due to support from my University tutor. My mentors at my placement school have been incredible, both professionally and socially.”

This course is 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 foreign languages specialist in schools?

How do good teachers keep on top of their workload?

How do I best prepare for applying for teaching jobs?

“ The process for assessing trainees’ teaching is transparent and shows clearly how they can make progress in the Teachers' Standards with formative and summative processes ... the trainees were clear about how the processes worked ... the university clearly has an effective strategy for gaining feedback from trainees through the Staff Trainee Liaison Committee. The MFL trainees said that they could see that their comments and feedback had been taken on board. ”
External Moderator - 2020

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 modern langauage trainee teachers are employed above the region and sector averages.

Graduates

Ainoa Martinez Lacasa

“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.”

Ainoa is a Spanish teacher.

Guillermo Reig-Alcaniz

“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.”

Guillermo is a French and Spanish teacher.

Modules for this course

Modules

1st Year

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.

Fees and funding

Fees UK students: £9,250

Fees for International students: £12,000

Funding available for this course

Trainees starting this course in September 2021 may be eligible for a training bursary.

Teaching and assessment

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.

Course leader

Julie Stevens

Julie's has taught in schools in Plymouth and Sussex and still works in secondary schools, supporting teaching and learning strategies and staff development as a governor and trust member.

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Lecturers

Jonathan Cripps

Lecturer

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Jonathan’s career as a history teacher has spanned over 25 years, working in secondary schools in Sussex, Suffolk and Cornwall. Previously, he has worked for Cornwall LEA as an Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting history departments, NQTs and recent entrants to the teaching profession across the county. He is a Teacher Fellow of the Historical Association.

Gillian Golder

Director of School