PGCE Secondary Modern Languages

Program Overview

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PGCE (Secondary): Modern Languages

Why study PGCE (Secondary): Modern Languages at Goldsmiths

This programme encourages an interactive teaching approach that builds confidence, develops understanding of how the language system works and leads to purposeful language use. It provides you with the tools to make the study of language stimulating for the full range of learners.

• Choose between French, German, Spanish, *Arabic and *Mandarin pathways.
• You’ll work with young people from a wide range of backgrounds, aptitudes and needs. This is challenging as well as exciting, and the programme offers a gradual and supportive introduction to the classroom. You'll spend time in subject-specific groups, looking at issues and resources particular to their languages.
• We'll help you to understand what constitutes ‘good practice’ in teaching.
• We encourage you to develop a second or third teaching language, and we build in opportunities for you to teach each other.
• You’ll have the opportunity to use stories, songs, drama, multimedia, and artworks in your practice.
• Learn how to develop engaging content and teaching strategies. You’ll have the chance to work with Primary PGCE colleagues to look at the implication of teaching languages in primary schools on policy and pedagogy.

*Availability of Arabic and Mandarin places depends on available placements; we advise that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

Teacher Training Code

2M3H (full-time); S117 (part-time)

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Fees

• Home - full-time: £9535
• Home - part-time: £TBC
• International - full-time: £21200

Department

Educational Studies

Our vision and mission

The programme is driven by the desire to support the development of exceptional teachers for world-class schools and in doing so is committed to:

• Promoting reflection, to help you develop a strong sense of identity that is built upon a close connection between research and experience
• Recognising inclusivity, to be rights-respecting, and recognise and challenge the political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of practice
• Celebrating creativity, taking informed risks, and using innovative strategies to support learning
• Developing confidence and engagement, enabling you to participate fully in steering the course of the teaching profession locally, nationally, and globally

What you'll study

Structure

In the Autumn Term, College-based sessions complement school-based work by covering issues raised in lesson planning – eg. speaking skills, group work, or using ICT. The sessions are based on workshop-type activities, but offer the opportunity to reflect on the underlying teaching principles.

They also allow you to follow up General Professional Studies by exploring equal opportunities, classroom management, Every Child Matters and Inclusion.

For the Spring and Summer Terms, you move to a second school and take on more responsibility for teaching classes; you may also continue to team-teach with your mentor in school.

Your university tutor and mentor share responsibility for assessing your teaching practice, and help you identify your strengths and work on any weaknesses.

You also work with your mentor on a curriculum development project in which you explore a current initiative in language teaching, devising teaching materials and trying them out in the classroom.

You complete one formal subject assignment during the year. This includes a review of current language teaching methodologies and how they have developed, as well as a focus on a particular issue related to current classroom practice.

Learning and teaching

A range of teaching methods is employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:

• Taught subject sessions
• Practical workshops
• Compulsory lectures
• Seminars
• Group and individual tutorials
• Individual and group presentations
• Supported self-study

As with the other PGCE courses, you’ll be given the opportunity to work with children in a wide range of contexts. These might include focused interventions with individuals or groups, or larger scale events for the community.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• To meet our fitness to train requirements
• A GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics. Please note, we can only accept some UK and international GCSE equivalent qualifications (see the list of accepted UK GCSE equivalencies). If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.
• An undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent in a subject related to modern languages study or pedagogy.
• For European languages, some knowledge of one of the other languages, ideally as a subsidiary subject in your degree or at A-level, but GCSE or O-level is a help as a starting point. This requirement does not apply to Mandarin students.

Second modern language

The requirement for European language teachers to have some grasp of two of the three languages (French, German or Spanish) is because most of the partnership schools used for teaching practice find it easier to timetable lessons if you have two languages, even if one is at a basic level and there are many more posts requiring two languages, even if the second language is only offered at beginners’ level, than for just one language.

In terms of long-term career prospects, most heads of department have two languages in order to be able to advise/lead the rest of the department.

We do take a very limited number of students with only French, Spanish or German. If you only speak one of these languages, we advise you to apply early as there are very few of these places. If you have no second language, or only a limited knowledge, we expect you to make every effort to develop this before the programme starts (eg. through evening classes, courses, holidays abroad, or self-study).

If you were educated outside the UK

If you were educated in France, Germany, Spain, or another country where one of these languages is spoken, you must have a degree from a university there.

This does not have to be a degree in the language, but usually it should be in a subject that requires writing clear, grammatically accurate coursework/assignments/dissertations. A degree in English from such a country is also acceptable since it requires translation and good, grammatical understanding.

If you have lived outside the UK and have not worked in a British school (for example as a Foreign Language Assistant), it is very helpful if you arrange to visit a secondary school for a day to observe lessons before you submit your application. You can then refer to this visit in your personal statement.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the PGCE fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9535
• Home - part-time: £TBC
• International - full-time: £21200

Funding opportunities

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for prospective students - please use the Scholarship Finder below.

Get into Teaching funding

The Department for Education offers tax-free scholarships and bursaries to trainees on eligible PGCE programmes. Bursary amounts vary depending on your previous qualifications and the subject in which you're training to teach.

Paying your fees

Find out about paying your tuition fees.

If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.