6th Year Running - Certificate in the Teaching of Community Languages

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This course provides a foundation in up-to-date methods for teaching community languages. It draws on Goldsmiths expertise in this area, as well as that of professional partners. A blended approach combining face-to-face teaching, supported self-study and classroom observation ensures flexibility in meeting individual needs and an ongoing integration of theory and practice. Course participants are expected to be well-organised, open to new ideas and to develop a reflective stance towards your professional development. Assessment is based on a portfolio of evidence built up over the course including a report on a classroom project. The course involves 150 hours of learning time and leads to the award of a Goldsmiths’ Certificate with a value of 15 credits at Level 3 of the Higher Education framework. It provides excellent preparation for undertaking a PGCE course at a later stage.

 

Entrance requirements
  • be a native speaker of the language they are teaching (in the case of Chinese, this may be either Mandarin or Cantonese) OR have an A level (or equivalent qualification) in the language
  • be a native speaker of the language they are teaching (in the case of Chinese, this may be either Mandarin or Cantonese) OR have an A level (or equivalent qualification) in the language
  • be teaching or about to start teaching a class of at least 10 students (primary or secondary age) in a community based complementary school
  • have support of Head Teacher in the school to undertake the course including willingness to arrange for a mentor

 

What you study

The course promotes a reflective, process-based and collaborative approach to professional development integrating theory and practice.

It is based on a combination of lecture workshops, self-study activities and classroom teaching, providing an introduction to:
  • principles of effective second/foreign language teaching and learning with an emphasis on the particular needs of the bilingual community language learner
  • creating a positive learning environment (ground rules, relationships, rewards and sanctions, involving parents)
  • effective planning which builds insights into the language system and progresses from input and practice to meaningful use
  • strategies for lively, interactive teaching
  • developing intercultural understanding and skills and encouraging creativity
  • catering for different needs in the classroom (differentiation)
  • using textbooks and creating own resources (including E-resources)
  • formative assessment and progression
  • language learner strategies and developing the independent learner
Other course elements are:
  • a visit to a mainstream school
  • a special project which will be presented at the end of the course.

A trained mentor will also observe you teaching in your school at least once.

Assessment will be by portfolio, submitted at the end of the course.

 

Training Time

Total time for the course is 150 hours, about 22 weeks. Eighteen hours of taught time comprises attendance of 2 sessions at Goldsmiths, followed by 2 days at the Teacher's Training Conference in Manchester in April, and a final session at Goldsmiths in July. Students will plan, teach and evaluate lessons over 10 weeks (on Saturdays or Sundays) including self-study, and portfolio work.

The course will begin on 21st January 2017.

 

Tutors
Dr. Jim Anderson, London Goldsmiths College; Mrs. Catalina Brook, UKFCS Advisor; Mrs. Amy Thompson, UKFCS Advisor. Languages used will be English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

 

Fees
Course fee will be £600 payable to Goldsmiths and £160 Conference fee to be paid to UKFCS. Candidates may apply to their schools for bursary and to UKFCS separately. UKFCS members can apply for a bursary of £250.

 

Enrolment
To apply you need to provide:
  • Our completed Short Course Enrolment form | Course Code 330018B
  • Reference from Head Teacher of complementary school, indicating support for applicant to undertake the course.
  • Evidence of being native speaker of teaching language (may be stated in Head Teacher's reference) or of having an A-level qualification or equivalent in the language (photocopy of certificate).
  • Five hundred word reflective report in English entitled ‘Teaching in my complementary school: personal reflections’.
  • Fee £600.
This course usually runs every year between January and July. If you have any queries, please email teacherscentre@gold.ac.uk or call Laurence Connor on 020 7919 7326

 

Application information

Application information was already sent out to your school. A short course application form can also be found in Goldsmiths Chinese Certificate Course Page. Deaadline for short course application - 9th January 2017. Any queries please e-mail Catalina Brook (UKFCS) catalina.brook@ukfcs.info, or Laurence Connor (Goldsmiths) teacherscentre@gold.ac.uk for forms.

Candidates may download a Bursary application form by clicking HERE. Deadline for bursary application - 10th December 2016.