I want to become an English teacher but I don’t know where to start?

Hey,

So, I'm 24 and I want to become an English teacher. I didn't do amazingly well in my GCSEs but did achieve B grades in both English Lit and Lan. I did go to college but was pretty much put on courses I didn't really want to do due to my underwhelming grades in my GCSEs. I only did BTEC level courses with I passed, however I never had the chance to really show my ability. To put it concisely, I was a bit of a class clown and this ultimately led to my grades which don't reflect my true intellect.

I've always wanted to become an English teacher and I think my confidence just ended up taking a battering because of the bad grades. I've been working full time and have travelled so my life hasn't been a "waste of time". However, I feel like I am ready and mature enough to finally realise my dream. I don't know where to start. I need to resit my Maths GCSE - I only achieved a D in that. Once that is done, where can I start studying? I don't have A-Levels to propel me onto a Uni course. I’ve emailed my local college to see if I can re-sit my Maths GCSE there. When that’s completed, I’ll have a C in Maths and 2 Bs in English.

Sorry for the X-Factor sob story haha.

:smile:

Reply 1

bwilliams

As you've said, your first priority will be your maths GCSE. As you are 24, your best option would be to complete an Access to HE course which is usually one year in length and is offered at most FE colleges. You will be able to take your Maths GCSE and your course at the same time (at most colleges). Some colleges may have maths GCSE as an entry requirement, so if you can I'd get your maths GCSE out the way this year. Your access course will then get you into university.

You then have two options. You can complete an English degree (3 years) and then a PGCE (1 year), the PGCE giving you Qualified Teacher Status or you can complete a Secondary education degree for English with Qualified Teacher Status (3 years) for example: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/courses/secondary-english-education-with-qts/

The most popular route into secondary teaching is degree + PGCE, plus there are not many of the Secondary with QTS degrees around. However, they both give you QTS. You will gain more teaching experience from the 3 years integrated teaching degree and it will be spaced out more. The PGCE is much more compact and you will do all your teacher training over the one year, spending the previous three years focussing just on English as a subject.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 2

Ishy94

Very informative and helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply at length! What does an Access course and HE entail?

:smile:

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

@04MR17 might be able to help :smile:

Reply 4

bwilliams

Original post by Ishy94

Very informative and helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply at length! What does an Access course and HE entail?

:smile:

It is for adults who have not achieved as well as they could of when they were younger. It essentially prepares you for university academic study, assignments, presentations etc. in one year. I'd describe it as A Levels but one year instead of two. You can choose subjects to specialise in, usually one, two or three. For example, Social sciences (psychology, sociology, criminology) is a popular one. You would want to aim yours at an English based set of subjects. Find out more here: https://www.exe-coll.ac.uk/HE/Courses/AccessHE . This is an example of an FE college I know of but you will be able to study similar courses at one near you.

Reply 5

S27

Access is a quicker and more focused route to university. Rather than do 3 or 4 A-levels, you can do one course, I taught access to engineering and you do the most revelant parts of maths & physics for example.

I'd also ask two further questions that helped me; 1) as teaching is a generally a graduate profession, what degree would you choose? 2) what level do you want to teach at why?

Reply 6

Ishy94

Thank you so much for your help everyone!! 😁😁😁

Reply 7

carrie_b87

I agree with @bwilliams You should look for a college or university that can offer an Access to HE course which is targeted at people over 19 with no A Levels. They can normally offer you the opportunity to resit your maths/English GCSE’s. If they want these to on Access then some offer a pre-Access course as a stepping stone.

An Access course will give you 45credits and they will be graded pass, merit or distinction. All universities will have their own entry requirements for degrees so that’s another thing to consider. There are Access courses specifically for people wanting to go down the education route and these will have units that are targeted at the degree you want to apply for. Most FEcolleges have numerous open evenings for these throughout the year so look at what is local to you.

Some colleges offer a foundation year if they’re affiliated with a university which can also be a stepping stone for someone in your situation.

I’ve taught on both Access and Foundation. I’d suggest looking at Access as it does prepare you quite well if you make the most of the opportunity and everyone is in the same boat as you. It can be a full on year and some people do drop out so just stick with it even when the going gets tough.

As for a BA in education with QTS or a degree in English with a PGCE after that’s a personal preference. I did degree then PGCE which gave me better subject knowledge for my subject but before looking that far ahead it is probably best to get your head around the Access route first. All the best with your chosen career...it’ll be tough but just keep at it and it’ll all be worth it :smile:

Reply 8

Ishy94

Amazing. Thank you very much ♥️

Reply 9

Edge Hill University

Official Rep

Hi,

Another option is a Fastrack preparation for Higher Education course. The full details are on Edge Hill's website. This is a 7 week course which will enable you to be considered for a place on a degree or foundation degree in your chosen subject at Edge Hill, in lieu of achieving the UCAS Tariff points in the entry criteria for the relevant programme. if you joined a Fastrack subject in initial teacher training you'd also do four days of placement in a school.

Rebecca

Reply 10

Ishy94

Thank you, Rebecca!!