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MFL Trainee Teachers with Kathy, MFL Tutor
"UEL was prepared to take me on even though I applied quite late in the day. Their positive attitude set the tone for the duration of the course- I was supported every step of the way. There seemed to be no limit to the patience, good humour and enthusiasm of my course tutors. They have shown me that teaching is one of the most exciting professions one can pursue. Enrolling at UEL is one of the best decisions I ever made." MFL Teacher Trainee at UEL
Caroline, MFL Tutor, with Trainee Teachers in Boulogne
We have been offering MFL at UEL since 2001, when secondary provision at the university began. We started with the Graduate Teacher Programme, then in 2002 we launched a full PGCE with the specific language offered being French or Bengali. We now have 26 places for MFL this year. In 2004 Ofsted awarded our MFL Programme Grade 1 (very good) (Ofsted 2004).
An honours degree or equivalent. (The subject you want to teach must form a substantial part of your studies).
Degree programmes vary considerably in content, however, and we judge each application on its merits. It is important to give a breakdown of the content of your degree on the application form.
We would consider your application if your degree is an English degree from a European university, or that the language you wish to teach has been a substantial part of your undergraduate or postgraduate studies, or you have substantial, relevant work experience in, for example, working as a foreign language assistant or working and living abroad.
This is a very intensive, full-time Programme. It runs for 36 weeks, beginning in September with a week of subject support. Following that, you are at University for the first half term, with weekly observation visits to schools.
The first school placement starts in October for four days a week; the other day is spent back at University for subject knowledge development and core issues. The placement continues after the Christmas break, with trainees in school five days a week.
There is a second school placement in a different school that runs from February half term to the beginning of June. You will have experience in two different secondary schools and will also visit a Junior School to observe teaching and see the skills and knowledge that pupils bring with them to secondary schools.
We now have 26 places for MFL this year. Our main languages are French and Bengali. If you have a degree in Spanish, German or Italian, you may be considered for a place as long as you have a knowledge of French which you are willing to develop. During the 36 week full time Programme you spend 24 weeks in a school being trained and supported by MFL teachers in our partnership schools and 12 weeks based at UEL.
At UEL we start by considering why languages are an important part of the school curriculum and by considering our own ‘language history’ and how we learn a new language. The idea is for you to look at languages through the eyes of the learner and to focus on what pupils do, on active learning. We then take you through how to plan a lesson, effective ways of delivering lessons with micro teaching, how to mark and assess pupils work and ways of managing their behaviour.
We look at “real” materials from the ‘host’ country and how to use ICT effectively. We all share ideas and teaching materials, no matter what language we teach. If we offer you a place you should know that you are in for demanding year but as tutors, we are there to advise and support you. We will visit you in school and give you individual tutorials and feedback.
Throughout the year there are academic assignments to be completed and tasks that provide evidence against the standards required by the Teaching and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The school mentors and university tutors assess you against the standards and you are required to provide evidence that you have met each of them. For more details visit the TDA website.
We have a wide range of resources available for languages. We have specialist ICT facilities for trainee teachers and we have a large number of software packages for languages. In the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) which has 24 hour access in semester times, we have collected course materials for the major languages taught in schools with the financial support of the Kleinwort Dresdner Wasserstein Bank and publishing companies.
You would also have access to satellite TV to make off air recordings from the major terrestial channels and there are digital editing suites which trainees can book for selecting resource material to use in schools. The LRC also subscribes to news magazines and web journals. You can also borrow language learning materials and films so that you can maintain your own linguistic skills.
Please go to our Financial Support pages to find out about benefits for Secondary Teacher Training on the PGCE Programme.
Applications for teacher training courses are not made at the university. You need to contact the Graduate Teacher Training Registry. Please see How to Apply for further information.
See HERE for the UEL full programme specification.
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