Edge Hill University, BA (Hons), Modern Foreign Languages Key Stage 2/3 Education with QTS

The student studies in 6 areas across the 3 years of the course: specialist subject: modern foreign languages: developing the student’s interest and academic ability in their chosen subject area; the student is supported in learning French, Spanish or German with the opportunity to take up 2nd language study in year 3; subject application: designed to show the student how to apply what they have learnt about their subject in the classroom; the core curriculum: providing learning in the 4 core subject areas of English, mathematics, science and information and communication technology for primary schools; understanding planning, teaching, learning and assessment methods in these areas; personal and professional development: understanding the student’s own development as a trainee teacher through exploration of different perspectives and their own experiences of the relationship between education, learning and development of children and young adolescents, the curriculum and teaching and learning; foundation subject studies: studying the foundation subjects of history, geography, music, art, design and technology, physical education and religious education so the student understands their role at primary level; professional practice: undertaking extensive in-school experience, moving from observer to teacher at Key Stage 2 and Key Stages 3/4; the student also works with pupils at Key Stage 1; the student spends 27 weeks on placement in schools, putting their training into practice through observing and assisting individuals and small groups through to managing the learning of a whole class; the student’s teaching timetable will increase as their training progresses and they become more confident in the classroom; the 2nd year placement is in a school in France, Germany or Spain; the student works with pupils from various areas, backgrounds and abilities, providing the student with excellent experience in classroom management and the ability to teach individuals and groups at a range of levels.

This course is suitable for students who want to teach modern foreign languages to 7-14 year olds across Key Stage 2 and 3; whilst the programme focuses on these key stages, there is also substantial opportunity to teach Key Stage 4 pupils; the student has the opportunity to study either French, German or Spanish at degree level and spend time in the country where that language is spoken while training to become a professional teacher; successful completion of this programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).