Modern Foreign Languages

“The chance to attend a modern languages conference or the time to work on a second language really stimulates trainees and gives them a boost at the start of their second placement."

Ofsted

The Group offers a distinctive and practical course of the highest quality in modern foreign languages, leading to Qualified Teacher Status and a qualification validated by the University of Worcester; either a PGCE as part of a Masters Degree or a Professional Certificate in Education.

The course recognises that there is a strong element of performance in teaching and learning a modern foreign language.  Role-playing is a common activity in the development of speaking and listening skills.  Throughout the course, MFL trainees benefit from working alongside trainees in the performing arts to share ideas and develop effective teaching strategies.

Trainees follow a specialist course in French, German or Spanish, specialising in the 11-18 age range.  In addition to their main language, they also have the opportunity to develop teaching skills in an additional modern foreign language. 

The course consists of 28 weeks school practice and 8 weeks study, based at our training centre located in the grounds of Coombeshead College, Newton Abbot, South Devon.

As part of developing performance skills in the teaching of modern foreign languages, trainees will be able to attend theatre performances and concerts with the performing arts trainees.

All MFL courses offer an opportunity to develop outreach work at Key Stage 2 (primary).

Foreign nationals who wish to apply for the MFL course will require a degree or equivalent (subject irrelevant) provided their native tongue is either French, German or Spanish.

• Innovative programme offering collaboration with Performing Arts trainees to develop performance skills for the classroom
• Guaranteed placement within the high quality partnership schools in our area
• Skilled and committed school based and central staff
• Significant experience in school across the full 11-18 age range
• Outreach projects with Primary pupils (Key Stage 2)
• Individual attention as a small MFL group within a total trainee cohort of 25
• Very good employment prospects based on our track record

West Country Comenius Centre

“In modern foreign languages, very good use is made of a local language centre for all MFL teachers with the latest resources, including videos and DVD, along with ICT and internet site recommendations.” Ofsted

Modern foreign language trainees will visit the Comenius Centre in Exeter on a regular basis.  The Centre forms part of a national network administered by the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT).  It offers teachers access to an extensive library of modern foreign languages teaching resources, including books, audio and video tapes, and computer software.  It also offers training courses run by prominent national and local experts.

The Course

First Term

The course begins with an introductory week at the Training Centre. The second week is spent on a programme of induction in the first Practice School (School A). Two days in the third week are spent at School A, and three days at the Training Centre. The rest of the first term is spent working closely with teacher-mentors at School A, apart from the majority of Fridays at the Training Centre.

Second Term

The first week is spent at the Training Centre and weeks 2 and 3 provide an induction into the second Practice School (School B). The rest of the term is spent working in School B, except for some Fridays at the Training Centre.

Third Term

The first week is spent at the Training Centre. You will spend the rest of the term, except for three Fridays, working in School B, during this period you will participate in a collaborative project, and you will take part in the arrangements for the induction of primary school pupils, who will be joining the school the following term. The last week of the course will take place at the Training Centre.

Assessment

During the course you will be assessed in the following ways:

• Through observation of lessons during school practices.
• Through examination of your Personal Development Portfolio.
• Through one written (or audio-visual) assignment each term.
• Through one project developing the use of authentic materials for the classroom.

There will be a formal review of your progress towards the end of the first two terms. You will receive early warning if your performance is likely to be judged unsatisfactory. The final assessment for the award of PGCE will take place in the third term, and will take into account the evidence provided by previous reviews.

Quality Assurance

The programme uses a range of strategies to monitor the quality of provision and ensure it is of the highest standard. The Quality Assurance Officer visits all schools during the year to observe practice and report back to the Management Group. Written assignments are moderated at a joint meeting of school and central staff. Trainees are observed jointly by their own and a visiting mentor to ensure parity. All trainees are seen teaching by a member of central staff and their professional tutor.

Quality Assurance Officer