any hints for PGCE (secondary) application?

pavlovs_dog

starting to think seriously about my application for a place on a PGCE education course. applications for the 2008/2009 cohort will begin in late september.

im hoping to arrange some more work experience over the summer to strengthen my application.

just wondering if anyone had any hints or tips for the whole process?

Oldernotwiser

What's your degree subject?

pavlovs_dog

doing my degree in welsh. i want to teach welsh as a second language at key stage 3/4/5 level.

its a compulsary subject in wales to GCSE standard, and is currently a shortage subject. it is quite often lumped in with MFLs

Perversia

If you're still at university, try seeing if you can take part in the Student Associates Scheme. There's more information on the TDA website. Also, for experience, see if your university has an Outreach department (or similar) that run mentoring schemes or summer camps for schools. Also, you could contact local schools and see if there's anything you can do.

pavlovs_dog

the`SAS doesnt seem to offer any places in wales :rolleyes:

organising work ex isnt so much of a problem. beause we have people in the uni who are prepared to give us a reference, we've found a lot of schools are very willing to let you come in for a few days here and there.

just thinking of ways to make my application stand out from the crowd

Sus1e

I would assume that you will be doing your PGCE at a Welsh Uni, and as you want to teach Welsh, Why not write the application in Welsh? This might make you stand out........

Gingham_Ribbon

I got experience in several different schools as a voluntary helper, worked as a special needs assistant and took a GCSE in my chosen subject to remind myself of what it was like to study it at that level. (I was a mature student so it had been a few years.)

At group interview, they'll be looking for personable, confident people prepared to listen to others and at individual interview they will want good subject knowledge and enthusiasm for learning to impart that knowledge.

Oldernotwiser

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

the`SAS doesnt seem to offer any places in wales :rolleyes:

organising work ex isnt so much of a problem. beause we have people in the uni who are prepared to give us a reference, we've found a lot of schools are very willing to let you come in for a few days here and there.

just thinking of ways to make my application stand out from the crowd

If Welsh is a shortage subject and your degree is in Welsh will you need to stand out from the crowd? Surely the thing about shortage subjects is that there isn't a crowd!

pavlovs_dog

Sus1e wrote: »

I would assume that you will be doing your PGCE at a Welsh Uni, and as you want to teach Welsh, Why not write the application in Welsh? This might make you stand out........

because i would be teaching welsh as a second language, i will be teaching it through the medium of english. there's only one place in wales which offers a suitable course through the medium of welsh, and it isnt at the top of my short list at the mo (that might change after i have been on open day visits).

graduates following this path are generally pushed towards english medium courses, because that is the medium they will be teaching in. i believe im correct in saying that we are given the choice of whether to submit work in welsh or english, and the assessment is obviously bilingual, so applying in welsh could be an option if i apply direct to the colleges themselves. im not sure if the GTTR can/will process welsh medium applications though :think:

Perversia

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

the`SAS doesnt seem to offer any places in wales :rolleyes:

organising work ex isnt so much of a problem. beause we have people in the uni who are prepared to give us a reference, we've found a lot of schools are very willing to let you come in for a few days here and there.

just thinking of ways to make my application stand out from the crowd

That's annoying!

Your personal statement is the best place to stand out from the crowd. Make sure you make it relevent to teaching (obviously) and talk abou why you want to be a teacher. I think I said something about my good experiences with teachers at my high school. Be passionate and positive. Then, at the interview, carry that on. Be prepared for the day. They'll let you know how their interview process works like if there's a written task and such. If you have to do a presentation, make sure it's relevent for the age range and make it interesting! I am (hopefully) going to be doing a science PGCE and I had to do a written task (1st interview, it was questions about a teaching situtation, 2nd one, it was about how to make science lessons interesting), a presentation (find out what resources you will have on the day eg white board) and an individual interview. Just be yourself and try and get your passion for wanting to teach come across.

Perversia

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

because i would be teaching welsh as a second language, i will be teaching it through the medium of english. there's only one place in wales which offers a suitable course through the medium of welsh, and it isnt at the top of my short list at the mo (that might change after i have been on open day visits).

graduates following this path are generally pushed towards english medium courses, because that is the medium they will be teaching in. i believe im correct in saying that we are given the choice of whether to submit work in welsh or english, and the assessment is obviously bilingual, so applying in welsh could be an option if i apply direct to the colleges themselves. im not sure if the GTTR can/will process welsh medium applications though :think:

From the GTTR website FAQ:
How do I Apply in Welsh?

You need to contact our Customer Service Unit - tel +44 (0)870 1122211 and request a Welsh paper application form.

I knew I'd seen this the other day!