Modern Languages - French, German, Spanish GTTR codes: R1X1(French); R2X1(German); R4X1(Spanish)
Preparing you for teaching Modern Languages (ML) across two or three key stages of the 11-18 age range, this is a predominantly practical course.
PGCE work in Modern Languages helps you to make the transition from subject expert to teacher. We aim to give you some insight into the historical and theoretical development of ML teaching so that you can situate current developments in context, e.g. the use of the target language in the National Curriculum, the debate about the teaching of grammar and current developments in ML examinations.
The course involves recognising the contribution you can make to the education of students of all abilities, and relating your practical skills and knowledge to your wider education and pastoral responsibilities.
"Trainees are well prepared for their first block of practice."(OfSTED report, Modern Foreign Languages)
The content
Throughout the PGCE year you experience complementary University and school/college based learning, including lectures, seminars, visits and workshops led by tutors, students and mentors as appropriate. To assist you in this, you are prepared for using ICT and other educational technology found in ML classrooms.
You benefit from your own and others' experiences gained within our full range (urban, rural, state, independent, grant maintained, co-educational, single sex, comprehensive, grammar, 11-16, 11-18, sixth form college, FE, denomination) of secondary and tertiary partnership institutions.
"The partnership id very well managed to ensure that training and assessment are of a high quality."(OfSTED report, Management and Quality Assurance)
Support and resources
For individual support you can look to and rely on your personal tutor in the University and a teacher who acts as your mentor during your school/college experiences. In addition the ML trainee group provides invaluable peer group support. You can also call upon other University tutors and counselling and support services.
The John Rylands University Library houses a ML specific section with current text books and materials. We also have an excellent resources base within the School of Education with reference materials including up-to-date school text books and audio/visual resources.
This programme consists of a variety of learning experiences designed for those wishing to teach MFL in secondary schools. It prepares graduates to teach the National Curriculum and related national strategies, GCSE, AS and A2 level, leading directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and ultimately membership of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). It prepares participants to teach MFL in a range of secondary schools (including 11-16 and 11-18 both maintained and independent) and sixth form colleges. Employment rates are consistently high.
Assessment
Your School/College and University experiences are formally assessed. We encourage self-evaluation through individual goal setting, supported by your peers, mentors and tutors. Formal assessment includes submitting a lesson plan proposal before your first teaching experience, completing a research assignment investigating an area of particular interest to you, detailed evaluation of a video recorded lesson, assignments regarding assessment in ML and the teaching of grammar and a detailed school experience file. Your practical teaching is assessed jointly by mentors, tutors and an external examiner.
Course Leader: Karen Roberts karen.roberts-2@manchester.ac.uk
What our trainees say
It has been a hard year but I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have felt well-supported throughout. Thank you.
Very good all round course!
Great course, really supportive, realistic tutors!
The course has been fantastic - I feel well-prepared for my NQT year and my career in teaching. The tutors are very supportive and I have felt as though my development has been a priority during the course. Thank you!
Excellent course - really equips new teachers. Excellent guidance and support throughout.
The course has been excellent overall and has prepared us well for a career in teaching. The wide variety of motivational speakers inspired us and informed us.
I have been so impressed with the quality of our PGCE course from beginning to end. Organised, an exceptional level of efficiency which is reflected in the professional recognition of the standard of Manchester University trainees. It has been an intense year but thoroughly rewarding to get to this stage and look back on what we have achieved.
The support, encouragement and feedback we have received on an ongoing basis [from tutors] has been above and beyond what they would be required to do but has always been so willingly given. I have already and will continue to recommend this course to anyone considering a PGCE. Thank you for making the course what it is.