Primary PGCE Modern Languages (ML) 2009-2010
Programme Overview
The National Languages Strategy (DfES, 2002) proposed a radical restructuring of the way languages are taught in schools in England, and its most significant proposal was the introduction of modern languages into the primary curriculum. Modern Languages will thus become a statutory entitlement in the primary curriculum in 2010, with a recommended minimum of one hour language instruction per week in curriculum time.
The Primary PGCE Modern Languages programme seeks to equip trainees with an understanding of the key issues in integrating languages into the primary curriculum, and to introduce them to language teaching methodology for young learners. Additionally, the programme aims to enable trainees to assess and improve their own language skills to ensure they have a sufficient target language baseline to be effective beginning practitioners in the primary languages classroom.
The Modern Languages programme within the Primary PGCE combines the following teaching and learning elements over 18 hours, 15 of which are contact hours, with 3 hours independent learning input from trainees:
Contact Hours (15 hours)
- campus-based training (6 hours) with particular emphasis on:
o effective strategies for teaching and learning languages at in the primary classroom
o cross-curricular approaches to teaching ML at KS2
o enhancing literacy skills through modern languages
o embedding cultural awareness into programmes of language learning in the primary school
o the KS2 Framework for Languages
o transition to Year 7 - observation and micro-teaching in a Partnership primary school (6 hours) with particular emphasis on:
o approaches to language teaching and learning in the primary school
o embedding languages into the primary curriculum
o identifying effective practice
o building confidence - intensive language (French, German, Spanish) workshop (3 hours)
o gaining confidence in the use of the target language with particular emphasis on speaking and listening
Independent Learning (non-contact, 3 hours)
- language skills analysis/needs analysis and target-setting for improving language skills (3 hours)
o self-assessment and setting self-improvement targets
o language across the four skills
Additionally, we use WebCT as both a document library, where trainees are able to access key documents relating to languages in the primary curriculum, and as a teaching and learning reference and resource bank.