English

The course reflects the realities of teaching today: it is wide ranging covering everything from teaching Shakespeare to developing pupils’ creative writing, from the theories underlying reading development to analysing popular music and films, from studying grammar to learning how to use drama in the classroom, and much, much more!

It encompasses all aspects of English teaching: English Literature, English Language, Media Studies, Drama and using ICT to support your teaching of English. You will have the opportunity to develop your subject knowledge across these areas both in the subject sessions and during self-study periods.

The main focus is on teaching the 11-16 age-group, but most trainees have an 11-18 placement too, and develop their skills in teaching at A levels and on other post-16 courses.

The Subject Specific Course will enable trainees to demonstrate:

secure subject knowledge;
the ability to plan lessons and sequences of lessons, that embody learning objectives and meet the needs of all students, encompassing a variety of personal learning styles.
experience in the use of a variety of teaching strategies and resources;
the use of a range of techniques to monitor, assess, record and report pupil progress and achievement and use this to inform planning;
successful use of classroom management techniques and organisation, in order to promote good behaviour and a positive climate for learning;

Trainees typically come from areas such as English Literature or Language, Journalism, Creative Writing, Media Studies or Drama, and all of these are valuable starting points for training to teach English. What all English trainees have in common, however, is a passion for their subject, an enjoyment of working with children, a willingness to be creative and innovative and the ability to develop new skills.

Our aim is to support you throughout the course, to help you improve and develop your subject knowledge and to ensure you develop your skills in the classroom. Our trainees graduate from the course confident that they have received excellent training in a supportive atmosphere, and that they are fully prepared for the career which lies ahead of them.