What is TELT?
TEachers Learning to Teach languages (TELT) aims to increase and improve language provision in primary schools. Teachers simultaneously learn a new language and the skills to teach that language in the classroom. TELT seeks to:
- Make language training for teachers available across Scotland and beyond, including in rural and remote areas
- Help harmonise the standards of language and pedagogical skills in primary language teaching across Scotland and beyond
- Encourage the introduction of additional languages to primary by offering this course in four languages: French, German, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish
- Establish a community of practice of primary teachers teaching languages across Scotland and beyond
- Teach students not only language and language teaching skills but also develop digital literacy.
TELT is inspired by and contributes to delivery of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 language policy, and is delivered in partnership by the OU and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages.
How does it work?
TELT is a distance learning programme. There are two strands:
- The language strand is available in four languages at Beginners or Post-beginners level. Students can study the language of their choice, at the appropriate level, and can gain 15 OU credits contributing towards an Open Degree. The options are Beginners French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, or, Post-beginners French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese.
- The pedagogy strand is taught at postgraduate level and teachers will receive a certificate upon its successful completion. In Scotland, teachers can additionally opt into a professional recognition programme for their pedagogy study.
TELT requires nine months’ study in total, with around five hours of study each week. Most of this is done online at a time and place to suit the student, although optional face to face and online tutorials are available.
Participants also collaborate and share ideas and practice through course forums and social media.
In autumn 2019 a new post-beginners module will be introduced.
For further information including how to register, please explore the website.