Teaching in SchoolsFrench, German and Spanish are now part of the national curriculum in secondary schools only up to the age of 14. However, there are now over 220 specialist language colleges at secondary level, established as part of a drive to raise standards of achievement and teaching in languages. There are also increasing opportunities for teaching languages in primary schools, as part of the UK’s National Languages Strategy. French is still the most popular choice of language in schools, followed by Spanish, German, Italian, Russian and Japanese. Specialist language colleges offer a much wider choice of languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and other non-European languages. Independent schemes for teaching young children such as Le Club Français are thriving in many areas but posts are part time and there is a preference for native speakers. Entry and trainingYou will need to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) in order to teach. Unless you already have a degree which gives QTS, this is usually achieved through a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or, in Scotland, the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). Full details of different routes and funding are on the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) website. WalesThere is a demand for teachers of Welsh in primary and secondary schools, and for teachers of any subject or key stage who can teach in Welsh. ScotlandTeachers in Scotland must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and hold a teaching qualification (TQ). Full registration is guaranteed to all teachers trained in Scotland after a satisfactory one-year probationary period. See education for more information on applying for teaching courses and jobs in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Also have a look at secondary school teacher and primary school teacher. back to top Other OpportunitiesTeaching English as a foreign languageTeaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a worldwide industry with opportunities in Britain and abroad. To teach English as a foreign language, it is not necessary to speak other languages, but it can be a real advantage and can increase your opportunities of working abroad. See english as a foreign language teacher and english as a second language teacher. Further education lecturingFurther education (FE) colleges for students aged 16+ offer many language courses, including GCSE, AS and A-level and a variety of vocational courses that may include languages. New full-time and permanent part-time (fractional) lecturers in FE institutions in England and Wales are required to hold or work towards Qualified Teacher, Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. See Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) for details. Higher education lecturingLanguage teaching in universities has changed with the increasing number of degrees offering languages in combination with business, law, IT or other vocational courses. Many still offer the traditional language degrees with their in-depth study of foreign language and literature and can provide an opportunity to teach your language at an advanced level. Adult education lecturingAdult education, with its vast network of evening and daytime courses in a huge variety of subjects, often offers a selection of language courses. Many of these are designed for adults who wish to learn a language for pleasure or possibly for business. Most teaching opportunities are part time and only offer a few hours per week. You will also need QTLS status. See the adult education lecturer/tutor, further education lecturer, higher education lecturer and freelance and portfolio work.
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