PGCE Secondary Modern Languages

Applicants applying for postgraduate initial teacher training courses will now need to apply through the DfE for entry in September 2022.

This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11-to-16 age range, which qualifies you to be a teacher in secondary schools in England and Wales. Where possible, we also give you the chance to gain experience in the 11-to-18 age range.

UEL offers the following combinations of language specialism:

• French
• French with German
• French with Italian
• French with Spanish
• Spanish with French
• German with French
• Community languages

It is of the utmost importance that all young people get the chance to learn at least one language to a high standard.

That's why schools will always need highly-skilled language teachers to help pupils develop valuable, lifelong skills – and why trainee language teachers can benefit from the highest range of training bursaries.

The three most commonly taught languages in East London schools are French, German and Spanish. Others include Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Urdu and Bengali. 

Your teacher training at UEL will help you discover how to open young people's eyes and ears up to the beauty of the language by exploring its uses in business, everyday life and culture.

There are three elements to secondary training at UEL: subject studies, general professional studies and school-based training. It differs from courses offered by other universities in that it is very much subject-based. 

Our ethos is based on collaboration, not competition. We encourage you to work collaboratively just as you will when you qualify and start working in a school.

We will support you to develop as a great Modern Languages teacher  who can bring the subject to life by devising and delivering a diverse range of engaging lessons that educate and excite all pupils.

The subject studies element of the course will show you how to break down barriers and find ways to help both struggling and high-achieving students get the most from the language, nurturing their speaking and writing skills.

You will be guided by specialist tutors who have relevant teaching experience and who often contribute to educational research, policy and curriculum developments in your subject.

You will learn about children and child development in the core Active Inquiry and Technology-Enhanced Learning modules with the rest of the Secondary PGCE cohort.

For example, if the topic is behaviour management, your seminar group discussion will look at what managing behaviour means for a modern languages teacher compared with a PE teacher or a Music teacher.

• Bachelor's degree: GPA of 2.5 / 4 or overall classification of "Good" or higher
• UK Bachelor's degree with Honours: Second Class, Second Division or higher
• US Bachelor's degree: GPA 2.5 / 4

Extended Diploma or Diploma

FROM

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level

The Secondary PGCE course at the University of East London was designed in 2001 in conjunction with the local authorities to address the secondary education teacher shortage in east London.

The partnership works with input and support from the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Redbridge.

It means that our graduates are represented in virtually every secondary school in east London. Some are now deputy heads or in senior management roles in schools that are taking our current trainees for their placements.

Across all subjects, from maths to modern languages, our teacher training graduates are acting as mentors to those following in their footsteps.

The partnership means that you have a head start when it comes to securing a teaching post in east London at the end of your training.

Both local authorities and individual schools visit our campus regularly to meet our trainees and advertise available vacancies.

You may also decide to undertake further study at the University of East London, either at the end of your course or after gaining teaching experience, perhaps specialising in Special Educational Needs or taking our MA Leadership in Education.

We also offer the opportunity for doctoral study to further develop your teaching knowledge and expertise.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.