Content of programme
Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish and German) course at Reading:
1. has consistently been judged as excellent in both internal and external reviews, and is widely acknowledged as one of the best MFL courses in the country;
2. gives trainees a theoretical framework for language teaching closely integrated with practical advice on the preparation and delivery of effective and engaging language lessons;
3. is taught by staff with wide practical experience in schools and international reputations as experts in the field of MFL teaching and learning.
For further information on the French course French click here. For information on the Spanish course Spanish click here. For information on the German course German click here.
This conceptual knowledge is related to the secondary education curriculum, before trainees undertake their first teaching experience at the main placement school in Maidenhead. Trainees will have the opportunity to teach all ability and all age ranges, from 11-18. Trainees later undertake a second placement at a secondary school in Maidenhead, before returning to complete their training at their main placement school. Towards the end of the course, trainees build on their own practice by initiating a curriculum development project. During their teaching practice experiences, trainees will have mentoring and support from school based tutors, and from experts at Reading University. Trainees also benefit from Reading University's lecture programme, featuring nationally and internationally renowned speakers who address contemporary issues in education.
Subject entry requirements
Applicants must possess a good degree (normally 2.2 or better) in the foreign language (French, German or Spanish) and demonstrate a high level of linguistic competence. Native speakers need to have an element of language study in their degree
Note: In order to apply for the MFL course at Reading you must have studied TWO out of the three languages French, German and Spanish.
Unless you have very recent experience of languages teaching and learning in UK schools, you should carry out a visit to a languages department in a secondary school, ideally for five days.
Applicants are very strongly encouraged to undertake up to a week’s practical work experience in a school (preferably a Teach Maidenhead school), prior to interview.
Structure
The course is structured broadly as follows:
Phase 1: An introductory visit to the main teaching practice school.
Phase 2: A combination of Subject Method and Professional Studies sessions at Reading University and time spent at the main teaching practice school in Maidenhead mid-September to end October 2023.
Phase 3: Continuation of placement at main teaching practice school in Maidenhead, beginning November 2023 to beginning December 2023.
Phase 4: Placement at second teaching practice school in Maidenhead, beginning of January 2024 until middle of February 2024.
Phase 5: Return to main teaching practice in Maidenhead until middle May 2024 to complete the course. Attend an enrichment programme end May to beginning June 2024.
Assessment
You will be assessed against the eight Teachers’ Standards, based on the evidence of your teaching, your wider contribution to school life and your ability to reflect on and evaluate these experiences. Assessment will be carried out in school and moderated by your University tutor. You will also write three assignments. These are designed to deepen your reflection on your school experience in light of the educational research, and to develop your ability to research your own practice. As well as being assessed in their own right, the assignments will contribute evidence towards your assessment against Teachers' Standards.
School placements
Trainees undertake placements in two of the five partnership schools, one of which will be their main teaching practice school.
The five Teach Maidenhead schools (Furze Platt Senior School, Desborough College, Altwood School, Cox Green School and Holyport College) are all located in Maidenhead which is halfway between London and Reading, one mile from the M4 and six miles from the M40. The five main Teach Maidenhead schools are located in the four corners of the town, a few miles away from each other. Maidenhead benefits from excellent rail and road connections which will improve still further when Crossrail opens. Maidenhead is 15 minutes from Reading University by train and 20 minutes from London on a non-stop train.
The training course consists of two placements, one main placement and a second lasting six weeks which takes place half way through the main placement. All five schools are able to offer trainees the opportunity to teach a secondary school age range of 11 to 18.
The course itself is structured broadly as follows :
· Enrolment at The University of Reading during the first week of September
· An intensive week of subject matter study during the second week of September
· Six weeks where the trainee spends two days at the university and three in school
· A week focusing on the PGCE and tutorials
· A further six weeks spending five days in school
· A week shared between the university and an induction at the second placement school
· Christmas break
· Six weeks at the second placement school (beginning of January to mid- February) – we aim to inform trainees of their second placement location between September and November
· A week focusing on the PGCE and tutorials
· An intensive week of subject matter study at the end of February at the university
· Ten weeks at the main placement school with a break for Easter
· Two weeks of enrichment organised by the University of Reading.
