English GTTR code: Q3X1
This course not only prepares you to teach Secondary English, including the National Curriculum, GCSE and A Level, it also encompasses Drama, Media and Information and Communication Technology.
Whilst concentrating on your academic and skills based studies, you'll be encouraged to develop and maintain a strong focus on issues currently facing English teachers, such as teaching literacy and ways of making literature relevant to young people.
We use a wide range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, group discussion, practical workshops and presentations to enable trainees to participate actively in their own development as teachers, and we encourage trainees to use similarly active approaches in their own school and college classrooms.
"An outstanding feature of this course is the degree of responsibility given to trainees to develop their own teaching style, set targets, take the initiative and evaluate their own work."
(OfSTED, 2002, English)
The Content
Working with some of our partnership schools and colleges, you'll learn how to:
- organise lessons and schemes of work;
- assess effectively;
- teach reading, speaking and listening and writing;
- develop students' understanding of language;
- teach classic literary texts, including Shakespeare;
- use Drama, Media and Information and Communication Technology in English teaching.
In your placement schools and colleges you'll observe and teach classes under the guidance of an experienced English teacher who will act as your mentor. Your mentor will observe some of the lessons you teach and help you to plan lessons, deal with marking and assessment and improve your teaching skills.
"There is excellent coverage of all major topics in the English and ICT National Curriculum for Initial Teacher Training."
(OfSTED, 2002, English)
Support and Resources
The University based elements of the course are taught by a team of tutors with expertise in teaching and examining KS3 (11-14 years), KS4/GCSE, A Level English Language and A Level English Language and Literature.
The PGCE Secondary English programme leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and ultimately membership of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). This programme prepares participants to teach English in a range of secondary schools (including 11-16 and 11-18 both maintained and independent) and sixth form colleges. Employment rates are consistently very high.
Course Coordinator: Mr John Keen
Email: john.keen@manchester.ac.uk
What our trainees say
'The course has been incredibly thoughtfully constructed to model all good practice expected of trainees. It has been delivered with interminable enthusiasm and consideration and has been rewarding to undertake.'
'Subject tutorials were always very well prepared and delivered. The content was excellent and really enabled me to develop as a result.'
'Overall an excellent course that thoroughly prepared trainees for school experience. Objectives and structures were always explicit which made the course clear. Whilst in school, contact was well maintained between tutors and trainees in order to feel supported.'
'Placement was done in an incredibly supportive department where all department staff displayed great consideration for my professional development.'
'An excellent placement school; welcoming and well prepared for trainees. Thorough support and guidance offered from subject mentor, Senior Coordinator and department.'
'A brilliant mentor really guided and supported my teaching placement.'
Quotes from English trainees, 2006-07