Secondary Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) PGCE  Secondary Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) PGCE St Mary's University, Twickenham, London ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563178405stmary's.jpg

Our modern foreign language (MFL) PGCE course offers you the opportunity to train to teach French, Spanish and German.

Most often, you will offer one main language for teaching, but many also offer a second language, perhaps at Key Stage 3 level.

Trainees are assessed on their ability to teach pupils in the 11-16 age range, but opportunities for A Level teaching are also included in the programme as appropriate.

• 100% of PGCE Secondary students are employed or in further study (or both) within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, 2016/17)
• Opportunity to enhance subject knowledge through Language Courses on offer on campus and in MFL sessions
• Excellent partnerships with schools for specific training activities e.g. Masterclasses with Key Stage 3 pupils, focus on global dimension, development of effective use of IT for MFL teaching and learning, transition from primary to secondary MFL
• Experienced tutors who have written numerous publications for teaching and learning languages
• Engaged tutors who are actively involved in the Association for Language Learning nationally, including President for 2015-2018
• We offer termly MFL professional development meetings for trainees and teachers to share good practice, as well as regular one-day training courses such as making effective use of the iPad in the MFL classroom
• Taught on our historic Strawberry Hill campus in West London

• Your degree should have a significant proportion of the subject you wish to teach. Subject knowledge enhancement courses may be set as a condition in some cases, particularly when the degree is not clearly ‘in line’ with the subject you are applying to.
• GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above or equivalent. GCSE equivalents are offered by St Mary's University.
• Two appropriate references (from an academic tutor or line manager) supporting your suitability for teaching.
• Pass both professional skills tests.
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Physical and mental fitness to teach.

School observation

At St Mary's, we would like all applicants to have made a fully informed decision about considering joining the teaching profession. As part of that decision making process, spending some time in school(s) observing what teachers do and beginning to give some consideration to how they manage learning can be really insightful and informative.

Your training is most likely to take place in mixed, state comprehensive school environments. If you are choosing to complete some school observation as part of making an informed decision about teaching then we would encourage you to do so in a similar school setting.

Irish applicants

Candidates applying from Northern Ireland and Ireland should check for upcoming events and interview dates that we will be hosting in Ireland.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

Trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status by successfully meeting the Teachers’ Standards (DfE). Continuous assessment throughout the programme will determine success.

Master's level assignments complement the work in schools and assist in meeting the Teachers’ Standards. These assignments aim to encourage you to be thoughtful and reflective, but also reinforce the evidence-based nature of the course assessment.

Self-assessment is also recognised as a valuable perspective in the evaluation of both school and university-based work.

Other assessments are used to ensure students understand and can apply the knowledge.  This is done through a range of methods:

• Self-assessment
• Presentations
• Micro-teaching
• Essays
• Practical sessions
• Lesson observations

Assessment is on-going and against the Teachers’ Standards. High standards of attendance, punctuality and participation are requirements of all course elements.