PGCE Student Teaching

[IndieSinger]

On Tuesday I have an interview to hopefully get onto a PGCE course at university and become a teacher.

All I know is that there will firstly be a group interview, then an "intense" individual interview (part of which will also be in other languages) followed by a certain amount of time to go and sit alone and write an essay about teaching.

What I don't know is... anything else. Would anyone be able to offer tips on what they think the interviewers may be looking for? If anyone has already gone through the interview process of PGCE application, I would be grateful of any advice you may be able to give!

[redmug100]

I think that the interviewers are mainly looking to see if you are serious about teaching and not just looking for an easy option.

[willow74]

In the interview they will really be looking to get a good impression of your personality.  think of the characteristics of a good teacher and ensure you have those qualities in the interview.

Patience, tact, confidence, sense of humour, ready to apply themselves, good character and a 'have a go' attitude.  I would suggest showing a good level of IT knowledge as this is important to be a competent user of computer technology.  Also you need to say if you have any interests in sports or drama, all quite helpful interests for teaching.

Also show that you are prepared for the interview, this is the main priority in teaching - preparation. 

Show your love of learning too. Big yourself up on the love of knowledge

[willow74]

Oh and also you must mention any experience you have gained in the school environment.  Any volunteer work at schools and any experience with dealing with young people. Show any experience of school life so they do not think you believe teaching is an easy option. Show you want it as a career

[Jules001]

I can't offer any advice with the interview, but would like to wish you luck.

[m81]

hiya indiesinger am in my nqt year & so wish i was back at uni!! i went to 2 completely different interviews, 1 extremely formal with a test & essay, and 1 with just an informal chat. make sure you read up on recent issues eg white paper etc if doing secondary (but dont read the whole thing!) http://education.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,591,00.html
http://www.tes.co.uk/
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/
really sell yourself show your enthusiasm and be sincere.
you'll be great! good luck

[m81]

oh and maybe have a couple of questions for them when you finish eg "im interested in being an advanced skills teacher later in my career... going down the pastoral route - what can i do to prepare for this" etc, even if you don't have any interest at all

[IndieSinger]

willow74 - Great advice, thank-you. Especially regarding showing IT skills - I might take along an example just in case the subject does come up. Like you say, it would show preparation skills if nothing else. I will have a file with everything they need to see in (organisation).

Jules001 - Much apprecaited, thank-you.

m81 - More fantastic advice, thank-you very much. The links are great and I'll be sure to read up!

[m81]

no probs let us all know how it went! good luck

[elgroucho]

Sounds like you're getting a tougher deal than me. I had a 20 minute interview  with two people and got accepted with no conditions! I was asked why I wanted to teach, and my opinions on a number of teaching related things, like discipline, the curriculum and the education system in general. They also like to hear people say they are willing to take after school clubs or help with the sports teams etc. Another good thing to do is have some questions prepared for the selector, for example ' What are the greatest difficulties experienced by new teachers?' or such like. They definitely don't want people who want a long summer holiday and a nice safe job. Also try and make it clear that you are aware it is not a 9-5 job and that you know you will have to take your work home with you. As long as you don't come across as a madman you should make it with no problems. Good luck though, and do let us know how you get on.

 

And having just typed this long answer I've just realised that it is probably no use to you as it will be too late!

[IndieSinger]

elgroucho - indeed, I have just returned!

The interview seemed to go fairly well. It took 4hrs 10mins (!) and included a group interview, an essay in German and an individual interview (mostly in German). Quite draining!

I used everyone's advice in some degree so I would like to say a huge thank-you to all of you! I don't know when I will find out the result, but I'll let you know when I do :)

[Scarlett]

In my experience, the government are so desperate to recruit as many teachers as possible, I wouldn't worry too much abut the interview. I literally wandered onto my PGCE course, kicking and screaming, and saying I didn't want to teach. And they still had me! I think, seriously, you need a decent degree, and they have to work out whether you do genuinely want to teach, and whether you have the right personality and outlook. There WERE a couple of people on my PGCE who did fail, despite being very clever academically. They had no sense of humour, couldn't explain things at all (so, couldn't teach!!) and one girl thought she knew it all before even going on the course. I think you need to just be a bit intelligent, and want to be a teacher, basically.

[Dark Angel]

At the interview, you need to make a presentation on a subject, e.g. a book you have read. You need to use props like the book, cue cards, charts, etc. Then you will probably be given English Grammer and Mathematics tests. (Institutions are different, you can't predict exactly, but these are things you might expect). Then you will have an interview with the moderators.

Questions that you are likely to be asked are: Why do you want to teach, What you have you got to offer, What have you learnt from your teaching experience, Which syllabii have you covered in your teaching experience,etc.

 I hope this helps.

[Dark Angel]

IndieSinger - I realised too late that you had already been to the interview. I guess you went for Secondary School PGCE Interview, Hope you get the position.