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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Diploma
Major
Teacher Training | Foreign Language
Area of study
Education | Langauges
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2024-11-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Secondary Education in Modern Foreign Languages with QTS PGCE

Overview

This PGCE Modern Foreign Languages course qualifies you to teach modern foreign languages at secondary level in any state-maintained, denominational school in England.


Being a languages teacher requires creativity to inspire students through finding ways to bring the language and its culture alive, and engaging and sharing your passion for languages with your students. You will be guided and made to challenge yourself to develop methods of creating your own class materials and developing your teaching approach.


In addition to the development of effective and engaging teaching styles, you will also be prepared to meet the requirements of language within the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications.


Why us?

  • Funding for trainee teachers is available with tax-free bursaries of up to £26,000 for Languages trainees
  • All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £31,650, and this will be higher for teachers working in London
  • Graduate with recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be eligible to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England
  • The University of Sunderland has been training teachers for over 100 years
  • Use the North East’s rich historical heritage to take part in, design and develop field study work
  • The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution
  • Sunderland has links to over 650 schools and colleges

Course structure

You'll be taught via lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and Canvas (the Virtual Learning Environment), with support from your personal tutors and teaching group.


Placements are an important part of this PGCE MfL course. You'll engage in work-based training through bespoke teaching placements in North East schools with specialised subject mentors. In order to be eligible for the award of PGCE with QTS, you must spend a minimum of 120 days in school.


Your progress will be assessed through electronic assignment submissions, case studies, observations, presentations, and production and evaluation of learning resources.


Prior to starting the course, you're required to carry out a five-day pre-programme placement, assisting and observing in a primary school of your own choice, with a focus on your elected route. This ensures that all trainees have recent and relevant experience in school settings at the start of the course.


Course modules

Emerging Professional Practice in Secondary Education with Subject Studies (30 credits)

This module will allow you to begin experiencing life in teaching institutions to help you gain professional knowledge around teaching and learning and start to make judgements about the routines, skills, and strategies that support effective teaching. You'll investigate the key content of subject areas taught within the curriculum, considering a variety of approaches to teaching your subject specialism and identifying common misconceptions.


Professional Practice in Secondary Education with Subject Studies (30 credits)

In this module, you'll continue to build on your knowledge around teaching and learning, gaining a variety of experience in a work-based learning environment to meet professional standards identified in government legislation. You'll continue to investigate the content of subject areas taught within the curriculum, considering the different approaches to teaching your own subject specialism. You'll also formulate skillful questioning to reveal levels of pupil understanding, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own academic progress.


Professional Learning in Secondary Education (30 credits)

This module will help you identify, refine, and develop knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches, adaptive teaching, planning, and assessment strategies. You'll reflect on pedagogical approaches by linking theory to practice in a reflective journal and present on your developed understanding of professional learning.


Subject Research Study in Secondary Education (30 credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a piece of independent academic study related to your subject specialism and engage in intellectual challenge and dialogue. You'll develop both general and subject specific knowledge and skills to enhance your ability to transfer learning to further study and the workplace.


Facilities

You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.


Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:


  • Qualification | Minimum grade
    • a bachelor's degree (3 years) | 2:2 classification

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.


If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.


If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.


You'll usually need to hold a 2:2 (or above) honours degree from a UK Higher Education institution or an equivalent qualification and be deemed suitable to train to teach by the University of Sunderland.


In addition to academic qualifications, you must also:


  • Have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Complete a medical pro forma (based on DFEE Circular 8/92).

Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course, following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.


If English isn't your first language, you'll also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5, with at least 6.5 in writing, and no section below 6.0.


Although not compulsory to be accepted onto the course, time working or volunteering in school would be advantageous.


All successful applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews start early November, so we recommend that you apply as soon as UCAS opens in October.


Please note, applicants with a foundation degree will need to supplement this qualification with at least 60 credits at level 6 (HE level 3) in order to attain an equivalent single qualification.


Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.


Fees and finance

Languages teachers are in short supply nationally. The Department for Education has announced bursaries of £26,000 and scholarships of £28,000 for trainees who meet the eligibility criteria. See the Get into Teaching website for more details.


Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.


This information was correct at the time of publication.


Career ready

This degree awards Qualified Teacher Status, which means that when you graduate you’ll be qualified to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England. Most graduates from this course go on to become a secondary school teacher.


Good teachers area always in high demand. All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £31,650, and this will be higher for teachers working in London. The amount you earn will then increase until you reach the top end of your pay scale, after which you can choose to progress into more senior roles, such as leading practitioner or head teacher.


The teachers’ pension scheme is also one of the most generous public sector pension schemes in the UK, one of the few guaranteed by the Government.


School placements

The University of Sunderland has partnerships with over 650 schools, colleges and beyond. The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution. We’ll work with you to try and find you the perfect teaching placement – schools that can nurture and support your aspirations and interests and help you become the best secondary school teacher you can be.


Individual Learning Plans (ILP)

Individual Learning Plans are an integral part of the course and are used to track your academic and professional journey. They track progress with academic study, detailing how you aim to address any areas of development highlighted within assessment feedback from academics. You will use this document to track your progress against the Teachers’ Standards. The Individual Learning Plan will be discussed regularly with your Personal Tutors and will be used to assess your progress and set relevant targets to further your development. These documents form part of the assessment process for teaching practice.


Program Outline


Degree Overview

  • Overview:
  • The PGCE Modern Foreign Languages (MfL) Education course with recommendation for QTS offered by the University of Sunderland is a one-year, full-time program that qualifies you to teach modern foreign languages at the secondary level in any state-maintained, denominational school in England. This program aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to become an effective and inspiring MfL teacher, and to develop your passion for languages while sharing it with your students.

Objectives:

  • Equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach modern foreign languages effectively at the secondary level.
  • Develop graduates' passion for languages and enable them to share this passion with their students.
  • Prepare graduates to meet the requirements of language within the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications.
  • Qualify graduates to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England.

Description:

This program focuses on providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of MfL teaching, while also developing your subject-specific knowledge and skills in your chosen language(s). Through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and individual study, you will explore various teaching methods and strategies, learn how to create engaging learning materials, and gain experience in planning and delivering effective lessons. You will also have the opportunity to put your learning into practice through extensive school placements, where you will be mentored by experienced teachers and receive feedback on your teaching practice.


Outline:

  • Content:
  • The PGCE MfL Education with recommendation for QTS program covers a wide range of topics related to MfL teaching, including:
  • Theories of language learning and teaching:
  • You will explore various theories and approaches to language acquisition and teaching, examining how they inform effective MfL pedagogy.
  • Curriculum and assessment: You will gain a deep understanding of the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications for MfL, and develop the skills necessary to assess students' progress effectively.
  • Lesson planning and delivery: You will learn how to plan and deliver engaging and effective MfL lessons, incorporating a variety of teaching strategies and resources.
  • Classroom management and differentiation: You will develop the skills needed to manage a classroom effectively and to cater to the needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs.
  • Subject-specific knowledge and skills: You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen language(s), focusing on spoken and written communication, grammar, vocabulary, and cultural awareness.

Structure:

The program is delivered over one academic year, with a mix of taught modules and school placements. You will typically attend university one or two days a week, with the remaining days spent in school placements. The program is designed to provide you with a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.


Course Schedule:

  • The course schedule is typically released closer to the start of the academic year.
  • However, you can expect to have a mix of lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and individual study sessions throughout the week.
  • The school placements will be arranged throughout the year, and you will be expected to spend a minimum of 120 days in a school or other educational setting.

Individual Modules:

  • Practice of Teaching (30 credits):
  • This module focuses on developing your professional knowledge and skills as an MfL teacher. You will gain practical experience in teaching and reflecting on your practice, while also exploring the ethical and legal aspects of teaching.
  • Development of Learning: A Case Study (30 credits): This module provides you with the opportunity to conduct research into a specific aspect of language learning or teaching.
  • You will identify an area of interest, develop a research question, and conduct a thorough investigation, culminating in a written report.
  • Subject Studies (French and Spanish) (30 credits): This module focuses on developing your language skills and teaching methods in your chosen language(s).
  • You will explore various approaches to teaching grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural aspects of the language, while also developing your own teaching materials and strategies.
  • Negotiated Individual Study in Education (30 credits): This module allows you to pursue an independent study project related to your professional development as an MfL teacher.
  • You will identify an area of interest, develop a research question, and conduct a thorough investigation, culminating in a written report or presentation. ##

    Assessment:

    The PGCE MfL Education with recommendation for QTS program uses a variety of assessment methods to measure your progress and achievement, including:
  • Written assignments:
  • You will be required to complete written assignments for each module, which will assess your understanding of the理論 and concepts covered, as well as your ability to apply them in practical settings.
  • Presentations: You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations on various topics related to language learning and teaching, showcasing your research findings, teaching ideas, or critical reflections.
  • Observations and feedback: Your teaching practice will be observed and assessed by your university tutors and school mentors, who will provide you with feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Professional discussions and reflections: You will be expected to engage in professional discussions and reflections on your teaching practice, demonstrating your ability to self-evaluate, identify areas for growth, and implement改进s.
  • ##
  • Teaching
  • Teaching Methods:
  • The PGCE MfL Education with recommendation for QTS program employs a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment. These methods include:
  • Lectures:
  • University tutors will deliver lectures to introduce key theoretical concepts and provide an overview of MfL teaching principles.
  • Workshops: Interactive workshops will provide you with opportunities to actively participate in discussions, practice teaching skills, and receive feedback from peers and tutors.
  • Seminars: Smaller group seminars will allow for in-depth discussions of specific topics and critical reflection on teaching practice.
  • Tutorials: Individual or small group tutorials will provide you with personalized guidance and support from university tutors.
  • Independent study: You will be expected to engage in independent study to deepen your understanding of the course content and complete assignments.
  • School placements: The school placements will provide you with hands-on experience in teaching MfL and will allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
  • ##
  • Faculty:
  • The program is delivered by a team of experienced and qualified MfL educators with expertise in various areas of language teaching and learning. The faculty members are dedicated to providing you with a high-quality educational experience and to supporting your professional development
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