Teachers learning to teach languages (TELT)

Contents

1. What is TELT? 
2. Who are TELT modules for?
3. How does it work?
4. What equipment do I need to take this module?
5. How to register 

Frequently asked questions
Learning to teach languages in primary schools (Beginners French)
Learning to teach languages in primary schools (Beginners Spanish)
Learning to teach languages in primary schools (Beginners German)
Learning to teach languages in primary schools (Beginners Mandarin Chinese)

1. What is TELT?

Teachers Learning to Teach languages (TELT) is a professional development programme that aims to increase and improve international language provision in primary schools, offering teachers the opportunity to simultaneously learn a new language and the skills to teach that language in the classroom. TELT is a collaboration between the Open University in Wales and Scotland developed in partnership with SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. This comprehensive professional development programme was made available to primary teachers across Wales in 2018 through funding by the Welsh Government through Global Futures.  

2. Who are TELT modules for?

TELT aspires to support primary school teachers in the transition to the new curriculum for Wales by offering practitioners professional learning opportunities to help them in the journey to realise the new curriculum in schools. This is largely done by integrating languages and pedagogy learning and at the same time, developing intercultural and digital literacies.

The TELT programme is also available to teachers in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The TELT was amazing! I was learning the language myself as well as how to apply this in a classroom situation with my Year 1 and 2 class. The course covered both language acquisition, culture and guided practise. The course is manageable with a full-time job and builds gradually giving plenty of opportunities for practise. I really liked the fact that the tutorials were recorded so if I did miss one I could catch up at a later date. I was learning alongside colleagues in Wales and Scotland, and we had lots of opportunities to share ideas. When funding was offered for the second year, I jumped at the chance to progress to Level 2. I would try out new phrases in the classroom and inspired my TA to take up the language too! I highly recommend the course to anyone who just wants to learn the language or wants to begin introducing an international language in the classroom. You won't be disappointed!

Rhiannon Williams
TELT alumni

3. How does it work?

TELT is an online 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:

• French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese at beginners’ level 
• French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese at post beginners’ level
• The pedagogy strand is taught at postgraduate level and teachers will receive a certificate upon its successful completion.

4. What equipment do I need to take this module?

You’ll need the following:

• a device with internet access to study this module as a web browser is used to access learning materials and activities

Any other computer-based activities you will need to carry out, such as word processing, using spreadsheets, taking part in online forums, and submitting files to the university for assessment, are specified in the module materials.

If any additional software is needed for these tasks it will either be provided or is freely available. You may need administrative privileges to install the software.

Suitable devices are:

• A Windows desktop or laptop running Windows 7 or later operating system
• A Macintosh desktop or laptop running OS X 10.8 or later operating system.

Some software will not run on Linux, iOS or Android devices.

• a headset with a microphone and headphones to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the study activities, and the facility to play audio CDs (optional).

The book and a dedicated website with additional online resources, activities and online audio recordings are included.

As a registered language student, you have access to an online forum, where you can communicate with fellow students.

5. How to register

Places on the TELT Wales programme are currently funded by the Welsh Government through Global Futures for primary school teachers resident in Wales.

The registration process for each academic year is coordinated by your Regional Consortia Global Futures Lead CSC, EAS, Partneriaeth, GwE, Growing Mid Wales and the OU in Wales.

Each year the Education consortia Global Futures lead for languages will distribute information on how to register for a place on a TELT module to schools in their consortia. This normally takes place in early summer. Students wishing to register should complete the necessary documentation and return it to their Consortia lead.  The OU recruitment team will then process the applications and contact students directly with their OU log on details in September.

An online information webinar will be held for anyone interested in registering for the TELT programme each year in June. For further details please contact your Regional Consortia Global Futures Lead for Languages. 

Registration needs to be completed by early September before the module starts in October each year. A compulsory online induction will be offered to all registered participants prior to the start of teaching in October.