Developer Info

At a glance

• Suitable for beginners/near-beginners in Spanish
• Pre-initial teacher training course and graduates will be able to teach Spanish at Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)
• Ideal preparation for a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) training course, such as a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or Schools Direct (SD)
• Programme backed by the Teaching Agency (TA)
• Course features compulsory 2 week educational visit to Spain
• Postgraduates are highly sought after by employers and over 95% are in work or further study six months after graduation
   
  

Course overview

This 3 month intensive course is ideal for graduates who are beginners or near-beginners in Spanish. It is designed to support graduates with a language other than Spanish to achieve sufficient competence in Spanish, enabling them to teach accurately and confidently at secondary level to at least key stage 3 (ages 11-14). If you are completely new to Spanish you will have 2 supplementary weeks of tuition, in addition you will be required to attend an additional hour of Spanish classes daily for the first 4 weeks of this course.

The programme is delivered by experienced language staff, both native and non-native speakers, who will be able to share with you their experience of language teaching in schools, colleges and university.

Applicants with a GCSE or equivalent level of Spanish will be expected to engage in some self-study and revision work at home with a study pack provided by LJMU, prior to the start of the course. A bursary will be provided for the two weeks on successful completion of the revision work.

For two weeks in July, the course is based in Spain where you will attend a (compulsory) tailor-made Spanish language and culture course at the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela to complement your Spanish language and culture studies at LJMU.

Classes at LJMU will normally start at 9.30am and finish at 4.00pm from Monday to Friday. You will be required to attend all classes for the full duration of the course. In addition, you will be set tasks and assignments to complete outside of the class times. The timetable in Spain will be different but you can expect a full schedule of activities for each day you are there.

The course is designed for beginners or near-beginners in Spanish, and lessons will be taught mainly in the target language.  You will have 240 tutor led taught hours over 11 weeks at LJMU. You will have a further 100 hours of study (taught and directed study) to undertake in Spain.

This course is open to graduates in the categories outline below:

• English speaking graduates in combined degrees e.g. German and Business Studies
• English speaking graduates in German, French, Italian, etc
• Graduates who are speakers of languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Chinese and Japanese and who have a good command of English
• Graduates who are native speakers of other languages and who have learned a second language – including English, German, Italian, French, Japanese or Chinese – to an advanced level

LJMU also runs a French extension course in preparation for initial teacher training (ITT).

Why study this course at LJMU?

Faculty of Education, Community & Leisure at LJMU have been selected by the Teaching Agency (TA) to run the course based on their experience and expertise in running intensive language courses. LJMU also runs a French extension course in preparation for initial teacher training (ITT). We have a body of experienced language staff, both native and non-native, who will be able to share with you their experience of language teaching in schools, colleges and university.

Introduction to the School

The Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure delivers this course at the IM Marsh Campus. This is a green campus on the south side of the city with excellent views overlooking the River Mersey. The campus has a range of large and small teaching rooms, dance studios, laboratories, a food product development base, textile centre, in-service teacher training centre, traditional and all weather sports pitches and a gym. There are also many organised sporting activities (step aerobics, football etc.) available on campus for students.

There is also a Student Meeting Place incorporating the Student Union shop and cafeteria. A major food retailer, a good selection of local shops, restaurants, bars and pubs are within walking distance of the campus.

How will I be assessed?

There will be assessment tasks on a regular basis throughout the course. In addition, you will be expected to deliver a presentation on a topic of your choice upon your return from Santiago.
In the last week of the course, you will be assessed with an exam (AS level paper) in all four skills.

What do past and present students say about the course?

“The course was excellent and the materials used proved useful.”

“The teaching was good and the classes for complete beginners were excellently organised and really helpful.”

“To go from complete beginner to the equivalent of AS level in 13 weeks shows that the course does provide excellent teaching.”

Entry requirements

Who is eligible to apply for the Spanish Extension Course?
Graduates in the categories outlined below:

• English speaking graduates in combined degrees e.g. German and Business Studies.
• English speaking graduates in German, French, Italian, etc.
• Graduates who are speakers of languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Chinese and Japanese and who have a good command of English.
• Graduates who are native speakers of other languages and who have learned a second language – including English, German, Italian, French, Japanese or Chinese – to an advanced level.

NB: In each of these cases, the level of Spanish of the applicant must be from beginner or post-beginner level up to GCSE. A level students of Spanish will not normally be considered.

What happens if I am a complete beginner in Spanish?
Provided you fit into one of the categories indicated above, you can apply for the Spanish Extension Course on the understanding that you will be required to follow a two-week intensive Spanish beginner course of 4 hours per day, 1st May to 15th May 2013 prior to the start of the Spanish Extension Course.

You will also be required to attend an additional hour of Spanish classes daily for the first 4 weeks of the Spanish Extension Course.

I am not a complete beginner. Can I just do the main course?
If you are not a complete beginner, you will still be required to complete a refresher study pack prior to joining the main course on 17th May.

Application and Selection

How do I apply for the Spanish Extension Course?
The course is designed to qualify you to enter a secondary MFL ITT course in the North West during or after September 2013.

To participate in the Spanish Extension course you must have a conditional offer of a place on your chosen route to QTS. You can do this in two ways:

• Apply to a North West ITT course through the GTTR (or to your SD programme provider if applicable). You should indicate your willingness to attend the Spanish Extension course, if required, on your application form. You are also recommended to inform the course provider (Liverpool John Moores University) directly. If your application for the Spanish Extension Course is considered suitable, the ITT provider will refer you to Liverpool John Moores University.
  

Will I be interviewed?

Following a conditional offer of a place, interviews will be held on 15/02/2013 & 21/03/2013.

Fees information

There are no tuition fees attached to this programme and you will receive a bursary of £160* per week (UK/EU eligibility criteria applies) (subject to TA funding).

Additionally, a 2 week bursary will also be paid for satisfactory completion of the ab-initio course or pre-study work prior to the start of the main course.

To help with your stay abroad, the cost of your flight, accommodation and tuition fees in Spain will be covered.

Financial support

Securing funding is one of the main hurdles you may have to face when considering Postgraduate study. However there is help available and you may be able to apply for funding from the sources below.

Loans

This will normally be from a bank. The most popular of these is a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). These loans are from £300 to £10,000 in value and can be used to cover up to 80% of your course fees. Further Information from www.direct.gov.uk and look for PCDL

Charities and Trusts

Trusts and charities can offer assistance to some students. Eligibility for these trusts and charities vary enormously. Your local library will have a section of books and directories of grant making trusts.

Research Councils

Research councils may provide support for recognised postgraduate courses. Their websites offers useful information regarding the support and funding opportunities on offer. Competition for this type of funding can be very strong. For more information about Research Councils visit: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Statutory funding

You need to be aware that most PG courses do not attract statutory funding. The ones that do attract statutory support (grants and/or loans) that we offer at LJMU are:

• PGCE courses , for more information please vist www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk
• MA social work for which an NHS bursary is payable to some students. For more information please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• PG dip in Architecture

Advice and support at LJMU

LJMU offers a Postgraduate bursary of £500 to students who go from an undergraduate course to study a taught PG course. For further information and eligibility see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117585.htm

LJMU employs a team of staff that are experts in fees and funding who can offer advice based upon your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 904 6056/6057, or email studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for guidance and support.

How to apply

Via this application form

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure on:

tel: 0151 231 5340
fax: 0151 231 5379
email: Ecl-recruitment@ljmu.ac.uk

If you have any queries relating to LJMU or university life in general please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Employment and careers

Becoming a modern languages teacher offers you the opportunity to inspire young people’s minds with new ideas and insights into different cultures. This challenging career path is not just about teaching vocabulary and pronunciation; it requires the commitment to developing real cultural awareness. This extension course is the ideal preparation for a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) training course, such as a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or Schools Direct (SD) and will help get your teaching career off to great start.

LJMU offers a superb environment for postgraduate study and top level research.

Whether you are studying on a taught master's course or embarking on a research degree, LJMU offers you a supportive, flexible academic environment, well-structured programmes and round-the-clock access to extensive resources.

Our research environment is rated as 'world-leading' in a majority of our subjects and all of our postgraduate programmes are taught by academics actively involved in research or consultancy projects with business and industry.

It is this combination of academic expertise and 'real world' experience that ensures LJMU's courses have real currency with potential employers and why over 95% of our postgraduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate (HESA 2010).

We believe this expertise – coupled with world-class academic standards – 75% of LJMU's research is rated as internationally important – puts us in a league of our own.

To find out more about our postgraduate courses and research opportunities plus the range of facilities and support we offer, click on the links opposite.

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool is a fantastic student city, bursting with opportunities and lots of things to do: a legendary music scene that's bigger than just the Beatles, a city centre bursting with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Plus award-winning shopping facilities, museums, galleries and theatres, not to mention two Premier League football clubs, golf courses, beautiful parks and outstanding countryside a few miles up the motorway.

The city recently won Trip Advisor’s Best Nightlife Destination Award 2011, beating Manchester, London, Glasgow and Brighton. The city has also achieved Purple Flag accreditation, commending Liverpool as a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Liverpool is also a city that is very supportive of all the students who live, work and study in its universities. With such a warm and hospitable culture – Liverpool is the perfect 24-hour student city.