Course summary
Develop a toolkit of knowledge and skills, and benefit from tutors with international reputations on one of the best modern language courses in the country. This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Modern Foreign Language course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales. The programme has consistently been judged as excellent in both internal and external reviews, and is widely acknowledged as one of the best modern foreign language courses in the country. You will specialise in teaching one main language (either French, German or Spanish) but we strongly encourage all trainees to teach another language to at least beginner level. The PGCE will provide you with a theoretical framework for language teaching, closely integrated with practical advice on the preparation and delivery of effective and engaging language lessons. Your assignments are designed to help you to plan your teaching effectively and imaginatively, and to evaluate your skills, particularly in terms of the quality of learning achieved by pupils. You will be taught through a series of lectures, practical seminars and workshops, where interactive and discussion-based techniques will encourage you to engage, reflect and challenge. Sessions may include:
- participating in workshop-style sessions with your peers
- attending presentations by subject experts
- working on tasks in groups
- having individual tutorials
- visits to schools or other education settings
- visits to theatres, museums, galleries or sites of educational interest
- writing assignments on aspects of subject teaching and Professional Studies.
Modules
The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Core modules: Shared Implementation Secondary Guided Implementation Secondary Independent Implementation Secondary The Reflective Teacher Investigating Practice Check our website for more details about the course structure.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Secondary
Entry requirements
Entry requirements: You are normally required to have at least a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent from a university outside the UK) in a subject that is related to the subject you intend to teach. IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5. You will need to have achieved Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent qualifications. As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview. We normally require native speakers of the language to be taught to have studied another language to a high level. You will also need to demonstrate competence in Fundamental English and mathematics by the end of the course. This is a new DfE requirement which replaces the QTS skills tests in literacy and numeracy. If you accept an offer with us you will also be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Whole course |
| EU | £25850 | Whole course |
| England | £9250 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £9250 | Whole course |
| Wales | £9250 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Whole course |
| International | £25850 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH