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Recently the School of Modern Languages hosted a series of teaching events, including two public talks and a workshop led by Teacher-Trainer Sara Davidson from Oundle School, Northamptonshire. 

In particular, the workshop was intended for students who are interested in pursuing careers in education or are preparing to teach in their year abroad. It was mainly targeted to students of the School of Modern Languages in recognition of the current shortage of language teachers in the UK and, as applications proved, it was relevant to different career stages and to anyone studying any combination of French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.

The 22 participants who signed up for the workshop represented all cohorts in the School. Students learnt and shared about the different routes into teaching modern languages in the UK, as well as some of the theoretical approaches to teaching in a target language. Significantly, they had the opportunity to practise these skills in the workshop while networking with peers interested in the subject. 

Students were also invited to consider external options for training towards this type of career pathways. Part of Ms Davidson showcased her own journey as a point of reference, the different routes into teaching, how to apply to the various teaching programmes and providers, the specifics of the National Modern Languages SCITT programme (England) and its different geographical hubs/ The session sparked a surge of interest in this specific training scheme, and there were students highly interested in addressing questions on these matters.

The overall experience proved to be an eye-opening deep dive into diverse landscapes in pedagogy. Students walked away with constructive roadmaps. As one participant noted, the session successfully addressed relevant ways to gain teaching degrees, also providing a comprehensive look at the various teaching habits and routes available to graduates. From debating the optimal use of the target language to exploring the intense theory that underpins every lesson, attendees also gained a new appreciation for the rigours of the teaching practice.

Whether it was through the informative talks, the tailored Q&A sessions, or the workshop itself, these events responded to the concerns of students in our School, leaving participants with a further sense of motivation. By blending knowledge, expertise, and personal anecdotes, Ms Davidson ensured that everyone left with a realistic and inspiring insight on what a life in education and languages can look like. The skills developed through these experiences will certainly help the second years who attended on their WIYAs next year, teaching in schools across France, Spain, and Germany, and the honours students in their future careers as modern languages teachers!

Article by Evie Reilly (Employability and Careers Student Rep)

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