Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy>Courses>PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

Are you passionate about languages? Do you want to inspire young people to learn more about other cultures? By becoming a language teacher, you will be able to take learners on their journey of discovery as they master a language and explore its cultural elements too.

Not only will you be able to share your expert subject knowledge with your learners, but you will support and guide them, encouraging them to take risks, make mistakes and help them grow in confidence.

Key Information

Available to study in English and Welsh

1 year full-time

Priority Subject Incentive Bursary


For entry requirements, pre-entry tests and how to apply, visit the PGCE Secondary course page.

About PGCE Modern Foreign Languages

On our PGCE course at Cardiff Met you will have the opportunity to critically engage with theories and approaches to language teaching such as the use of target language in the classroom, the teaching of grammar, assessment and differentiation and cross curricular pedagogies. Other aspects will include a focus on teaching GCSE and A level languages, the use of IT in the classroom, using authentic resources and decolonising the MFL curriculum.

The PGCE course will provide you with the necessary skills, knowledge and critical awareness to embark on your teaching career. At Cardiff Met you have the possibility to train as a teacher of French; French and Spanish; Spanish and there a very limited number of places to train in French and German.

Our subject specific sessions are supported by guest speakers from our Partnership Schools, regional consortia, and Cardiff University to enrich our programme. During our subject specific sessions, you will have the opportunity to explore research and discuss how it can be embedded into our teaching practices.

Employability & Careers

We will support you to develop as high-quality language teachers who can make languages come to life and deliver lessons which are inclusive but will challenge and excite all learners. You will be guided by a specialist tutor who has extensive experience as a teacher and leader of languages.

Modern Foreign Languages is also recognised as a priority subject by the Welsh Government, and so all successful graduates will receive a £15,000 bursary while you train in Wales for Modern Foreign Languages and meet eligibility criteria.

What’s the best way to prepare for studying a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages?

It is strongly recommended that you observe language lessons in action in your local secondary school before you embark on your teaching training course. Your observations and reflections will allow you to contribute more fully to the discussions and reflections during our induction programme.

We would also recommend looking at the WJEC specification for GCSE and A level in your specialist language. Core texts for A2 or watching AS level films are also a good source of research. Finally, if you have a minor language which you studied for A level or even GCSE, then an online course/app or enrolling at a local evening class will improve your language skills.

I found my vocation teaching Modern Foreign Languages
 
 

“Towards the end of my second placement, I secured a position as a French teacher. Looking back, I feel the PGCE prepared me well to the realities of being a teacher. It gave me solid foundations on which I can carry on building my career and broadened my perspectives about what teaching is about. I was introduced to a variety of language teaching approaches which have been invaluable when planning lessons. We were also encouraged to think critically about our subject, why, and how we teach it – a perspective that I keep reflecting on now as an NQT.”

Sonia Fajkis, PGCE Secondary (Modern Foreign Languages)

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Contact Us

For further information about the programme please contact Kerry Bevan, PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages Programme Leader at kbevan@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Teacher with school pupil  
 
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​Cardiff Met is home to the Cardiff Partnership for Initial Teacher Education, one of the largest centres of teacher education and training in the UK. We have over 60 years’ experience and an enviable reputation of the quality of our teacher training provision.