[Shelbel]

I'd echo what pineapple says, the advice she gave me for my presentation was invaluable. What struck me was the mix of styles that got through so it's the content that matters not just gimmicks etc. one guy used an iPod touch for us all to have a go on a Maths app with but he didn't get through whereas one guy who just stood and asked - no props or PowerPoint did get through because what he was talking about was really good. I'd just say for interview especially if your lower -read up on phonics as they are really big on it. Good luck!

Pineapple- sorry I just realise I've made a presumption that your female , so sorry if I'm wrong! Lol xx

[pineapple86]

(Original post by Shelbel)
I'd echo what pineapple says, the advice she gave me for my presentation was invaluable. What struck me was the mix of styles that got through so it's the content that matters not just gimmicks etc. one guy used an iPod touch for us all to have a go on a Maths app with but he didn't get through whereas one guy who just stood and asked - no props or PowerPoint did get through because what he was talking about was really good. I'd just say for interview especially if your lower -read up on phonics as they are really big on it. Good luck!

Pineapple- sorry I just realise I've made a presumption that your female , so sorry if I'm wrong! Lol xx

No worries i am female lol.

Shelbel gave some good advice, its not just certain styles that went through they really focus on what you say and do. I had a powerpoint presentation but i also included a little humour because thats part of my personality (i like to have a bit of a laugh) but one girl i thought was a dead cert to get through didnt even make it to the individual interviews. Also be warned they actually question you on you as a person as well as the classroom. I had an interview at another uni first and all they did was question about the education system and not one question about me as a person. In fact i kind of messed up my presentation at one point but i just carried on through and thankfully it went ok. Make sure you know about some current educational issues and they may ask you your views on english as a second language and how you may deal with kids who are new to the english language. Thats one that would've stumped me if i wasnt prepared for it.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[Hedgehog648]

Thanks both of you I should be ok with the questions about myself, I usually prepare for them and then not have them asked lol - and I have a broad understanding of the issues surrounding phonics teaching, but a bit more research wouldn't go amiss.

Will need to look up EAL issues though - do you have any useful links on it?

I've had a think about what I can do to make mine memorable, and I have come up with something I think might do the trick - getting the rest of my group on the day to role play a class of children to demonstrate how I would have taken a different approach to the beginning of the lesson I'm going to be talking about lol. Might mock up a basic powerpoint, but I don't think I'll need one.

[pineapple86]

(Original post by Hedgehog648)
Thanks both of you I should be ok with the questions about myself, I usually prepare for them and then not have them asked lol - and I have a broad understanding of the issues surrounding phonics teaching, but a bit more research wouldn't go amiss.

Will need to look up EAL issues though - do you have any useful links on it?

I've had a think about what I can do to make mine memorable, and I have come up with something I think might do the trick - getting the rest of my group on the day to role play a class of children to demonstrate how I would have taken a different approach to the beginning of the lesson I'm going to be talking about lol. Might mock up a basic powerpoint, but I don't think I'll need one.

Remember to keep it within your time limit though! I dont have any useful links on it sorry, but i just googled and looked into it and read a few things on it. I also thought about positive and negative parts about it. They also asked me if i was for the use of other languages in the classroom amongst children who speak the same language from the same background. Luckily ive had personal experience with that since im asian and grown up around English and the language from my background so i could answer that with how i feel. When i did a powerpoint for my presentation i only had like 5 or 4 slides with the basic points on so it wasnt like i read off it.

Im trying to think what else they asked that stuck out but the EAL stuck out a lot and so did phonics.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[Hedgehog648]

Well I'm not so worried about the time limit - people in this thread earlier said that they weren't too worried about you being a minute or so under or over it. Still it should be fine, I just finished my first draft, will time it and edit it tomorrow, I'm tired lol.

[pineapple86]

(Original post by Hedgehog648)
Well I'm not so worried about the time limit - people in this thread earlier said that they weren't too worried about you being a minute or so under or over it. Still it should be fine, I just finished my first draft, will time it and edit it tomorrow, I'm tired lol.

Yeah a minute or two isnt bad. Lol good idea do it with a clear head.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[truetwitch]

Hi,

I have an interview this week too! What's the maths test like? I know it is non-calculator and timed but how long do you get for each question, and is it 10 questions?

Also, if i do get on, fingers crossed, I am actually on holiday until the 12th September. So i will miss the start of the course, for those who have had timetables, what will i miss? Really worried about this!

[stepintothepink]

Maths test was easy in my opinion - very basic questions.

One tip I had from someone who is on the course this year was to always relate their questions back to your experience. So when they ask what you would do with an EAL student, say "when I was on placement I saw... and thought it was good because...". I did that for the SEN as well, but could also using my job at the time (working with Social Services for Adults with LD) to link back to that!

[Shelbel]

Hi

True Witch - The maths test is nothing to worry about at all - plenty of time and pretty basic primary maths. I found the English test worst as I was just so conscious about my spelling and grammar etc as a couple of mistakes could automatically rule you out. Good luck. In terms of what you ask about what you will miss my draft timetable shows : 10th or 11th Registration, 12th - 15 th college, 17th- 18th College, 19th Self Study, 20th College and 21st Self Study - Hope that helps.

Hedgehog648 - Good luck with your presentation, sounds like a good idea, I would just warn you to be prepared for a lack of audience participation as I know the group I was in wasn't particularly helpful in the bits that required them to get involved - probably just because they are nervous too. Hopefully won't be an issue for you but thought best to say so your prepared

Stepintothepink - I work for a LD organisation too and must say I found it helpful as well.

Is everyone elses understanding that self study days you don't need to be in college? hope so as ive booked a holiday over half term. Getting very excited now, handed my notice in last week but unfortunately am working right upto the start of the course as need the money, probs ought to start looking for some part time work too.

xx

[pineapple86]

(Original post by truetwitch)
Hi,

I have an interview this week too! What's the maths test like? I know it is non-calculator and timed but how long do you get for each question, and is it 10 questions?

Also, if i do get on, fingers crossed, I am actually on holiday until the 12th September. So i will miss the start of the course, for those who have had timetables, what will i miss? Really worried about this!

(Original post by Shelbel)
Hi

True Witch - The maths test is nothing to worry about at all - plenty of time and pretty basic primary maths. I found the English test worst as I was just so conscious about my spelling and grammar etc as a couple of mistakes could automatically rule you out. Good luck. In terms of what you ask about what you will miss my draft timetable shows : 10th or 11th Registration, 12th - 15 th college, 17th- 18th College, 19th Self Study, 20th College and 21st Self Study - Hope that helps.

Hedgehog648 - Good luck with your presentation, sounds like a good idea, I would just warn you to be prepared for a lack of audience participation as I know the group I was in wasn't particularly helpful in the bits that required them to get involved - probably just because they are nervous too. Hopefully won't be an issue for you but thought best to say so your prepared

Stepintothepink - I work for a LD organisation too and must say I found it helpful as well.

Is everyone elses understanding that self study days you don't need to be in college? hope so as ive booked a holiday over half term. Getting very excited now, handed my notice in last week but unfortunately am working right upto the start of the course as need the money, probs ought to start looking for some part time work too.

xx

Like shelbel said induction and enrollment is 10th and 11th Sept and teaching starts on the 12th so you'll only miss them but you HAVE to attend those induction/enrollment and they said you cant change it. So it might be a good idea to ring them if you do get on and see if it would be a problem with you on holiday. But they may also ask you about holidays during the interview. The maths test was basic and easier then i expected but it really tested my timetables lol.

Shelbel i assumed we wouldnt have to go in on selfstudy days but i figure we may end up doing so sometimes.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[Hedgehog648]

@ truetwitch Can you not come back early from the holiday?

From what I've read in this thread, if you are Lower Primary you will need 3 full days working with 0-3 year olds before term starts - if Upper it will need to be with Year 7's.

Plus from other interviews, none of the stuff on a PGCE ever gets repeated - if you miss it you miss it - I'd say come back early, otherwise it'll probably really damage your application.

The maths tests at other uni's have all been similar, usually about 10 questions, some addition, some subtraction, some multiplication, probabilities, percentages, fractions, that sorta thing. Doing stuff on the bytesize website thing should help I've heard.

You in on Friday I take it? :P See you there - you'll probably recognise me, I'm likely to be the only other bloke there lol XD

@ Shelbel Yeah I've thought of that, I'll just ask for volunteers, if no one does then I'll just pick people at random and hope they don't mind lol - or warn them early on when we find out our groups before the presentations start so they aren't surprised.

That being said - truetwitch will you volunteer during my presentation please XD

[truetwitch]

(Original post by Shelbel)
Hi

True Witch - The maths test is nothing to worry about at all - plenty of time and pretty basic primary maths. I found the English test worst as I was just so conscious about my spelling and grammar etc as a couple of mistakes could automatically rule you out. Good luck. In terms of what you ask about what you will miss my draft timetable shows : 10th or 11th Registration, 12th - 15 th college, 17th- 18th College, 19th Self Study, 20th College and 21st Self Study - Hope that helps.

Hedgehog648 - Good luck with your presentation, sounds like a good idea, I would just warn you to be prepared for a lack of audience participation as I know the group I was in wasn't particularly helpful in the bits that required them to get involved - probably just because they are nervous too. Hopefully won't be an issue for you but thought best to say so your prepared

Stepintothepink - I work for a LD organisation too and must say I found it helpful as well.

Is everyone elses understanding that self study days you don't need to be in college? hope so as ive booked a holiday over half term. Getting very excited now, handed my notice in last week but unfortunately am working right upto the start of the course as need the money, probs ought to start looking for some part time work too.

xx

Great information thanks shelbel!

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC One X

[truetwitch]

(Original post by Hedgehog648)
@ truetwitch Can you not come back early from the holiday?

From what I've read in this thread, if you are Lower Primary you will need 3 full days working with 0-3 year olds before term starts - if Upper it will need to be with Year 7's.

Plus from other interviews, none of the stuff on a PGCE ever gets repeated - if you miss it you miss it - I'd say come back early, otherwise it'll probably really damage your application.

The maths tests at other uni's have all been similar, usually about 10 questions, some addition, some subtraction, some multiplication, probabilities, percentages, fractions, that sorta thing. Doing stuff on the bytesize website thing should help I've heard.

You in on Friday I take it? :P See you there - you'll probably recognise me, I'm likely to be the only other bloke there lol XD

@ Shelbel Yeah I've thought of that, I'll just ask for volunteers, if no one does then I'll just pick people at random and hope they don't mind lol - or warn them early on when we find out our groups before the presentations start so they aren't surprised.

That being said - truetwitch will you volunteer during my presentation please XD

Yeah I am in on Friday! Sure I don't mind being a helper/experiment for you if we are in the same presentation groups.

I was going to include the audience by getting them to give a show of hands for which learning group they are to emphasise that groups differ in preference - would this be okay you think? Really difficult to be interactive in a 5 min alot which just flies by!

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC One X

[Hedgehog648]

I think that would be fine, though you would have to include enough info for each person to work out which learning group they are before asking - for instance my own preferences are logical and analytical thinking, which is why I did a maths degree - but I wouldn't be able to tell you what the actual name for that is.

[Shelbel]

Truewitch - I did something similar as wanted to do more but so limited with time. I tried to relate it to real life a bit so that I didn't have to go to heavily into the theory think I asked something like 'when assembling the dreaded flat pack furntiture do you a) read the instructions b) listen to or ask for instructions or c)just get on with it and have a go' then related it back to the lesson identifying which bits would appeal to each type of learner.

Good luck to you both and let us know how it goes

[tashmuntaner]

Hey,

My name is Natasha and I start the PGCE (Lower) in September. Just trying to meet some people. They have been sending all my stuff to my old address even though I told them I had moved so I am unsure I have everything. I have only received the documents about working in a 0-3 setting and the car parking application, is this correct?
Also does anyone know anything about the bursary's they are given this year?

Well done to everyone that got on and I hope to get to meet some of you in September.

[pineapple86]

(Original post by tashmuntaner)
Hey,

My name is Natasha and I start the PGCE (Lower) in September. Just trying to meet some people. They have been sending all my stuff to my old address even though I told them I had moved so I am unsure I have everything. I have only received the documents about working in a 0-3 setting and the car parking application, is this correct?
Also does anyone know anything about the bursary's they are given this year?

Well done to everyone that got on and I hope to get to meet some of you in September.

That is all i've received too, that and a survey thing. The bursary they give is i think £5000 if you have a 2.1 and more if you have a first. But if you have a 2.2 then you get nothing. Thats all i know, i think the uni sorts the bursary out once you start, but im not sure.

(Original post by truetwitch)
Yeah I am in on Friday! Sure I don't mind being a helper/experiment for you if we are in the same presentation groups.

I was going to include the audience by getting them to give a show of hands for which learning group they are to emphasise that groups differ in preference - would this be okay you think? Really difficult to be interactive in a 5 min alot which just flies by!

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC One X

I did a quick question to show hands in regards to ways people learn in my presentation (VAK learning styles) and mentioned briefly what they were. It was just a minute or two out my time and i stuck within the time limit give or take a minute or two.

[tashmuntaner]

Thanks for your help. Oh I am glad I have everything. I am off to Spain to work for six weeks now ! Thankfully I got a 2:1. Do you know if the bursary is based on our parents income like everything else, and do we get it taken from our tuition fees or like a normal bursary?

Are you doing the Primary lower or higher, are you excited?? Are you living in Lincoln?

Tash

[tashmuntaner]

Also truetwitch I did the raise hand thing, it worked well

[pineapple86]

(Original post by tashmuntaner)
Thanks for your help. Oh I am glad I have everything. I am off to Spain to work for six weeks now ! Thankfully I got a 2:1. Do you know if the bursary is based on our parents income like everything else, and do we get it taken from our tuition fees or like a normal bursary?

Are you doing the Primary lower or higher, are you excited?? Are you living in Lincoln?

Tash

Its ok Im not sure about the bursary, i got a 2.2 so i dont get a bursary so im going to be keeping my part time job during the PGCE so havent looked into it since i found out i get nothing! Im doing upper primary, which i cant wait for! Im going to be commuting from nottingham because i didnt want to move out so i can save some money but if i struggle then i will have to. What about you?