PGCE Primary with Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German)

University of Exeter

Trainees following the Primary Modern Languages pathway will learn to teach across the primary curriculum and will take an additional specialist module in primary modern languages.

Overview

The aim of this pathway is to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to teach a modern foreign language effectively and creatively within the primary curriculum. In particular, the programme focuses on the role that languages play in relation to their inclusion as a statutory element of the National Curriculum, focusing on good practice as outlined in the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages. You will be encouraged to develop your reflective and analytical skills both as a professional practitioner and as a languages specialist. The programme is taught mainly through seminars, workshops and school placements that enable you to develop your specialism.

School placements will be based in Key Stage 2, reflecting the statutory nature of the subject in this Key Stage. However, the programme covers teaching and learning from 5-11 and, once qualified, you will be eligible to teach across the primary age range.

Learning

The course consists of approximately 30 hours of seminars and workshops with a primary languages focus, including:

• the history of primary languages and how this relates to current practice
• an examination of the KS2 Framework for Languages
• how children learn a foreign language
• knowledge about language
• primary languages pedagogy
• the role of the Subject Co-ordinator
• raising the profile of languages in schools
• practical ideas for language activities in the classroom
• peer teaching
• links with other areas of the primary curriculum
• the contribution languages can make to the primary curriculum
• teaching languages to children with special educational needs and for whom English is an additional language

By learning on campus for most of the first term you access the tools to rapidly build professional knowledge to underpin your work in school placements. The taught element is made up of timetabled seminars, lectures and self-directed study. You will be asked to work individually and as part of small and larger groups.

Our unique approach gives you opportunities to learn and become part of a community of trainees and teachers who are passionate about education, and will support you during your course and beyond. We carry out a detailed skills audit with every trainee so we understand your particular development needs and can personalise elements of training to strengthen the skills you need to excel as a teacher.

During placements Exeter trainees benefit from the focused support of two School-based Tutors: a Principle Tutor who works as an expert partner, and a Mentor who develops and challenges your thinking about teaching in ways that can be used to enhance performance.

You will be supported in developing the full range of teaching skills and effective reflection that you will need in your first teaching post as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).

The PGCE is a Masters level programme and once you have achieved QTS, you can continue your studies during your first year of teaching and work towards achieving a Masters in Education.