Supporting teachers

"Where the university has a faculty or school of education, the links between the languages departments and the faculty/school is of great importance in taking forward a 1+2 agenda and in reviewing and developing programmes of ITE and CPD in support of the policy."

- Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach (Scottish Government, 2012)

Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Routes to Gaelic Teaching

In Scotland, any teacher must have a suitable University level qualification to achieve Professional Registration with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS).

In addition to the GTCS booklet “So you want to teach in Gaelic?” a Padlet has been created to bring together and share the various routes into Gaelic teaching, along with some useful resources.

So, whether you want to study Gaelic Education at undergraduate or postgraduate level, teach Gaelic as a subject, teach a secondary subject through the medium of Gaelic, or are a qualified teacher looking to transfer into Gaelic medium, we hope you find this online resource to be helpful.

Open University

TEachers Learning to Teach languages (TELT)

The course was developed in collaboration between the OU and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, and 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. The programme is General Teaching Council for Scotland approved, and can count towards postgraduate qualifications.

University of Dundee

Distance Learning Graduate Diplomas for teachers in Spanish, French and German

These 2-Year Graduate Diplomas by Distance Learning for part-time study are accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. They are ideally suited for Secondary MFL teachers seeking an additional qualification in French, German or Spanish, and also attract a wide range of professionals from across Britain, Europe and beyond.

The Graduate Diplomas aim to provide the challenges of an undergraduate curriculum in the relevant language. At the end of their studies, students achieve an advanced understanding and knowledge of the language being studied.

Through an interdisciplinary process (Teaching Spanish in addition to French for example) and by interacting and exchanging ideas with other students from other parts of the UK, Europe and Overseas, students will be able to develop a critical understanding of their practice and education as a whole.

The Graduate Diplomas carry a rating of 120 SCOTCAT points (SCQF Levels 9-10). The qualification outcome is bench-marked at C1 in the Council of Europe Reference Framework for Languages. Applicants will normally have a pass at Higher level (or equivalent) in the language. This level can be achieved through completion of one of the University of Dundee‘s Distance Learning Intensive or Revision courses Languages | University of Dundee.

The diplomas place emphasis on reflection, inquiry, critical analysis, personal consideration of research findings and actively promotes the values, principles and practices of equality, social justice, integrity, trust and respect, and professional commitment in all areas of work.

Registration of the 2024-2026 Graduate Diplomas (2-Year part-time French, German and Spanish graduate-level diploma courses) is now open. The diplomas start in October 2024.

For more information visit the University of Dundee website, or to discuss any aspects of the courses or your application, please contact humanities@dundee.ac.uk.

University of Glasgow:

Language courses for post-graduates

Scroll the list for relevant courses.

University of Strathclyde

Spanish Language and DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) preparation courses

The University is a centre for the examination in the Spanish Government’s official Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE - Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera). The exams are the official accreditation for the degree of fluency of the Spanish exams. They’re issued and recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture & Sport of Spain and are organised by Instituto Cervantes and the University of Salamanca.

New online preparation courses for the DELE exams are available and are aimed at prospective candidates for the DELE exams.

Three year cycles to upskill in French, Italian and Spanish are offered by University of Strathclyde. The university is now also offering Mandarin from September 2024 (numbers permitting).

Options are designed for:

secondary school teachers wishing to acquire an additional language
teachers of classics
primary school teachers
musicians
a range of professional people with an interest in France/Italy/Spain and its language

Follow the links below for information on the relevant course:

Introducing the Gaelic Language in the Classroom as L2 or L3 aimed at early years/primary practitioners
English as an Additional Language and Supporting Bilingual Learners suitable for all teaching levels and head teachers