Why study with us?

If your ambition is to teach modern foreign languages at secondary school, or even at university, then this is the course for you. We are rated as one of the top departments in the UK for PGCE Modern Foreign Languages. We have an international reputation for our successful, multi-sensory approach, our innovative methodology in developing pupil language and our teaching of grammar.

You will be placed in two different schools during the training year. Your first placement will normally be with another MFL trainee so you can observe each other, work together and share ideas. In addition to this, you will be able to observe excellent practitioners teach in at least one other school.

You experience for yourself the approach that we train you to use in the classroom; you learn about the latest insights into neuroscience and multi-sensory learning; you discover how pupils learn, what motivates them and how to give them the tools to say what they really want to say; and how to do all this in the target language. We try to challenge you, make you think and give your learning a purpose - and we try to practise what we preach!

In addition to teacher training in the UK, you can also opt to spend a year studying for a European Masters degree at a university in France or Spain, giving you two prestigious qualifications in two years and the exciting experience of studying abroad.

What can this course lead to?

This course can lead you to an exciting career as a French, Spanish, German or Italian teacher at secondary school. You will gain qualified teacher status, which will enable you to apply for jobs immediately after graduation.

The Master FLE and ELE qualifies you to teach in a range of international contexts, including university.

Course Summary

Modern Foreign Languages is a compulsory subject in the National Curriculum up to the age of 14 and focuses on learning and using the foreign language to communicate; developing the main skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), along with cultural awareness. This course will enable you to teach foreign languages to the 11- 18 age group with Primary Languages and Post-16 input.

• You will have the opportunity to experience methodology first-hand by observing classes live in school.
• Classes are practical, focusing first and foremost on teaching you to learn by doing and applying this to your own classes.
• You will have the opportunity to explore strategies for teaching a wide range of learners using a multi-sensory approach with purposeful, challenging and enjoyable activities.
• You will benefit from outstanding support and mentoring – not only from your university tutors but also from the teachers in your placement schools.
• You will learn about teaching children with special educational needs.

A distinctive feature of the course is the way each area is introduced in terms of Key Stage 3, then revisited and built on at Key Stage 4 and post-16, as well as at Key Stage 2. This ‘cyclical progression’ is mirrored in your experience in school with your tutor and mentor working closely together. 

You will be placed in two schools, usually in pairs for teaching practice. In addition to this, you will be able to observe excellent practitioners teach in at least one other school. You are eased in gently to the teaching of full lessons.

Prior to taking over approximately two-thirds of a Newly Qualified Teacher’s (NQT) timetable, you will have observed and reflected on what makes good teaching and learning, both in college and at school. You will also have tried out various methods with other members of the student group and with pupils in school.

Although the university side of the training takes place in Lancaster or London, your school-based training can take place in schools nearer to where you live – for example in North or West Cumbria.

Pathways

There are currently three possible options available:

Option 1

PGCE - French, German, Spanish, Italian or a combination of these (Italian must be combined with another language)

This option takes one year to complete. You spend two-thirds of the course in our partnership schools. The rest of the course is based at university in London or Lancaster.

Option 2

Master FLE (European Masters Degree in French as a Foreign Language) and PGCE French. The Master FLE qualifies you to teach in a range of international contexts, including university.

This two-year course will leave you with two prestigious qualifications under your belt. The first year is based in France at one of the following universities:

• Université de Provence Aix-Marseille I
• Université du Maine
• Université Lyon 2
• Université Nancy II
• Université Paris 8
• Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense
• Université de Pau et des pays de l’Adour 
• Université de Strasbourg II

The second year is based in the UK (Lancaster or London) and consists of the PGCE plus a dissertation based on your teaching experience, reading and reflections during your PGCE course.

Option 3

Master ELE (European Masters Degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language) and PGCE Spanish. The Master ELE qualifies you to teach in a range of international contexts, including university.

Option 3 gives you two prestigious qualifications in two years. Normally, year one is based at the University of Barcelona in Spain and year two is in London and consists of the PGCE plus a dissertation based on your teaching experience, reading and reflections during your PGCE course. However, in certain cases, it may be possible to complete the PGCE first and then undertake the final year of the Master. 

Modules

PGCE

The structure and content of the course guide your progress as a trainee during the year and include the following elements:

• Language learning and teaching methodology
• The brain and multi-sensory learning
• Long-term and short-term planning
• Inclusion, differentiation and assessment
• Managing pupil behaviour
• ICT
• The teaching of grammar

Master FLE/ELE

• Methodology of Research in Education
• Training the Reflective Practitioner
• Analysis of Learner Audience and Learner Need

Entry requirements

See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credit

Selection criteria

For all options: You should normally have a 2:2 honours degree in French, German or Spanish, or a combination of these. We also accept Italian, usually combined with French or German.

You should generally have spent a year abroad. Where necessary, we make a period abroad or attendance at a TDA-funded booster or extension course as a condition of offer. International students should have a degree (or equivalent) in English but we also consider applicants with degrees in other subjects who have a command of English at a high level or have studied a language to a high level.

Options two and three: If you are a French national, you must obtain a Licence Parcours FLE by the start of your course to allow you to study for the Masters. If you are a UK national, you must complete an Apprentissage Réflexif d’une Langue Inconnue (about two weeks’ work) before you start Option 2. If you are a graduate, you may be able to combine year one of study for the Masters with a year in France as an assistant.

GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent qualifications.

We strongly recommend that you obtain a minimum of 2-3 days secondary school experience in a mainstream UK secondary school observing a class in your chosen teaching specialism before applying. 

A satisfactory academic (university) reference OR a satisfactory professional reference if more than three years since academic study.

All candidates must demonstrate professional suitability through interview and must obtain medical and enhanced CRB clearance according to established university procedures.

More detailed information and advice is available on our how to apply page.

Apply Now

Visit the Graduate Teacher Training registry (GTTR) to apply online.

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