Training to teach

Primary (Nacell Website) | Secondary | Adult and Further education (PDF) | Community Languages | CILT Graduate Teacher Programme

If you are interested in training to teach languages, in whichever sector, you will find the information you need here, and where to go to find out more.

Primary

Primary level teachers teach all subjects across the curriculum, but many specialise in teaching a language alongside other subjects. A growing number of teacher training courses are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level for those wanting to train as primary teachers with a language specialism:

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses with specialism in French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish (Nacell Website)

There is one course available which specialises in languages in the community at key stage 2 and 3 (London Metropolitan University Website)

Secondary

A wide range of courses and types of training are available for those wanting to train to teach languages in schools at secondary level. Both undergraduate and postgraduate training options are available, and training may be based in a university department of education or in a school.

More information about types of training and funding

Courses available (PDF)

Is your mother tongue French, German or Spanish?
Native speakers of French, German and Spanish may apply to CILT's Graduate Teacher Programme, a 1-year school-based training programme designed specifically for native speakers of these languages.

Need to improve your French or German?
You should aim to be able to teach two languages by the time you qualify as a teacher: if you need to develop your second teaching language, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) funds 'extension courses' in French and German for those with no or very little knowledge of the language.

Adult and further education

New teachers in adult and further education must complete training leading to a recognized qualification at this level. There is a wide range of training options available, both full-time and part-time:

More information and courses available (PDF)

Community languages

A growing number of training options are available for speakers of community languages who wish to qualify as languages teachers:

More information and courses available

For a copy of our free guidance leaflet Qualify to teach community languages contact Kathryn Abram at kathryn.abram@cilt.org.uk or 020 7379 5101 ext. 284.