Modern Foreign Languages

If you have any questions please call us on
01242 505945 or complete the form on the
contact page.

Applicants will normally have a degree in a modern foreign language  In some circumstances another subject with significant language content will be considered.  A degree may be in an unrelated subject if the candidate is a native speaker.  Candidates will undertake part of the interview in their chosen language, and be required to write on a specified topic to demonstrate sufficient language skills.  It is desirable to have a second subsidiary language, but not mandatory.  Along with an awareness of educational issues, a desire to excite, stimulate and engage young people from 11-18 with the possibilities and pleasures open to them in studying a modern foreign language is a good starting point for an application.

The languages offered by GITEP are French, Spanish and German.  Balcarras School also offers Russian through its School Direct placement.

Subject sessions normally take place on a Thursday afternoon at High School Leckhampton.  This is an opportunity for language trainees to come together and learn from Lisa, visiting experts and each other, developing their understanding of the pedagogy of language teaching.   Early in the year, we focus on the essentials of good teaching as they relate to the MFL classroom and the skills needed by learners in this subject area.  After Christmas, there are regular scheduled opportunities to improve and enhance subject knowledge, often with the input of native speakers.  We also aim to explore MFL teaching issues to a deeper degree using the combined knowledge and experience gained during the first part of the course.

In January and April, there will be some sessions led by a subject tutor from the University of Bristol, who will introduce the PGCE assignments on curriculum practice and curriculum research.

Trainees start the year with three weeks of professional studies, a programme of lectures, workshops and expert speakers, to give a context to the course.  By the end of September, trainees start their “Parent 1” placement and will be in school full time until mid-December.  There are another two weeks of professional studies either side of Christmas.  In January trainees start their “Twin” placement in a second school.  There are more professional studies weeks before Easter then trainees return to their first school for their “Parent 2” placement.  The final placement includes an enhancement week to give opportunities to experience particular aspects of teaching.

Funding

Bursaries available: £25,000*
Scholarships available: £27,000* (French, German & Spanish)

To find out more about finance click here

Subject Lead

Lisa Claydon

High School Leckhampton

Lisa Claydon has been an MFL teacher for over 20 years after previous careers in the travel industry and Civil Service. Herself a graduate of the GITEP Scheme, she has worked in both mixed and single-sex, 11 to 16 and 11 to 18 selective and non-selective schools. She is currently Curriculum Leader for MFL at High School Leckhampton. She was a mentor for GITEP MFL for several years before becoming Subject Leader. She is an Honorary Teaching Fellow of the University of Bristol.

Entry Requirements

Mandatory

  • A Modern Foreign Language degree.
  • Maths and English at Grade C/Level 4 or above at GCSE.

Recommended

  • Degree at 2:2 or above.
  • Involvement with young people in some capacity.
  • An awareness of issues in modern foreign language education.

Routes & Course Codes

Institute CodeSCITTLead PartnerPGCE with QTS
G48GITEP26XX
14BBalcarras Teaching School Hub2CMZ
1ZBOdyssey Teaching School Hub2HBY

If you have any questions please call us on 01242 505945 or complete the form on the contact page.

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