PGCE Secondary Education English

Language is at the heart of everything we do. It sustains thought, development and community. As an excellent written and verbal communicator, this is your chance to strengthen young people's English skills through writing, reading, speaking and listening. Whether chairing a lively debate or navigating a class through a complex Shakespeare extract, you'll be an inspiring influence for pupils from all backgrounds.

Why study PGCE Secondary Education English at Middlesex University?

At Middlesex University, we are passionate about language and literature in all its forms. Combining your enthusiasm for literature and communication with the educational theory and practice offered on this course, our team of experienced English teachers will equip you with the skills and experience necessary to both educate and inspire secondary English pupils. Through interactive workshops, tutorials, lectures and debates, this one-year full-time course enables you to meet and exceed the national standards for the award of qualified teacher status.

During your studies, you will undertake teaching placements in at least two secondary schools and have the chance to acquire skills in the pedagogy of English teaching and in the application of new technologies in teaching and learning. We have excellent relationships with schools in and outside London and in this highly personalised programme, schools are carefully selected to suit each individual and expose them to a variety of imaginative and thought provoking learning strategies. Key experts from our partner schools are on hand to offer invaluable mentoring and support.

The course includes interrelated elements that focus on the school and classroom, language, literature and communication. Key areas addressed during the course include the teaching of literature, media aspects of English; an exploration of support for language and learning needs; and the role of Drama within English.

Course highlights

• Many of our graduates have their first teaching job at the schools where they had their placement
• The diverse teaching placements will enable you to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multi-faith settings, and schools in both rural and urban environments
• As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

What will you study on the PGCE Secondary Education English?

You will critically evaluate the effectiveness of a wide range of resources and your own lesson plans. You will analyse research data and critically evaluate how research has contributed to the knowledge and understanding of how to teach English effectively.

What will you gain?

In addition to developing the knowledge and skills required to teach English, you will also be able to identify and evaluate effective strategies for assessing children's learning through formative and summative assessment strategies. You will learn to critically evaluate the effectiveness of a wide range of resources and understand the importance of literacy, numeracy and ICT in delivering an effective, all-round curriculum.

How is the PGCE Secondary Education English taught?

This is an intensive 36-week course, during which you will be expected to to carry out assignments during the Christmas and Easter holiday periods. You will spend at least 120 days in schools, where you will be teaching for approximately 60% of the timetable. Each period of School-Based Training is over four days each week with one day in University (totalling 60 days) where you will attend lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

Professional studies is a programme of lectures and seminars focusing on contemporary issues in education and professional development. This part of the course takes place partly at the University and partly at school through lectures, workshops and seminars to mixed subject groups. This is a structured programme of English teaching methodology and application workshops and seminars.

Assessments

Subject studies are assessed in a variety of ways including a school-based special study (a teaching resource). Progressive developments of teaching skills are recorded using criteria-referenced assessment proforma. Professional studies are assessed by a range of written tasks, including observations, teaching and evaluative discussions with course tutors, and school-based mentors and teachers.

How can the PGCE Secondary Education English support your career?

Middlesex University has consistently high employment rates for its teaching programmes. We have excellent relationships with schools in north London, Essex and Hertfordshire and many of our graduates start their first teaching post at the school where they completed a placement during the programme.

Our course gives you qualified teacher status. Teaching is a profession with excellent progression and benefits and our graduates have an excellent reputation within the profession. Our employment rates are extremely high with 93% of our PGCE graduates in employment or further study six months after graduation, earning an average starting salary of £26,000.