Program Overview

Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the secondary school English curriculum for the 11-16 age range.

Youll learn how to teach both English language and literature, covering subjects such as media, drama, and phonics.

Youll look at a variety of short texts and poetry perhaps Shelagh Delaneys play, A Taste of Honey, the poetry of John Agard or prose such as Conan Doyles The Sign of the Four and youll focus on how you can turn literature into learning.

During the course, youll explore ways to teach literature, to develop oracy and spoken language confidence and proficiency. Youll also learn how to prepare a novel for teaching and the role literary theories might play in our approach to teaching works of literature. And, youll typically have language lessons to help you develop your skills in areas such as grammar.

You may go on a trip to a local art gallery to reflect on art as a stimulus for writing and have guest lectures from practising English teachers and people working for exam boards.

The course is taught by our highly experienced subject experts who have been both practising teachers and are researchers in the field.

This PGCE is available via University-led and School Direct routes.