Clare is a graduate from the PGDE Languages programme at the University of Strathclyde
Tell us a little bit about your background...
I went straight from secondary to complete my undergrad at Glasgow University. I studied French and Spanish but was also working part time as a swimming instructor, fitness instructor and language tutor. I grew up a competitive swimmer and completed my course to be an instructor as soon as I was 16. I then went on to complete my group exercise qualifications and then after that my personal training qualification as I have always loved fitness and have been going to the gym for many years.
I spent my 3rd year of my undergraduate in Bilbao, where I met my partner, which further enhanced my love for Spanish as I speak the language every single day. Then in my 4th year I spent 3 months in the South of France working for a business travel company. I had a fantastic time there and my French improved greatly.
What drew you towards undertaking the PGDE?
The only part time jobs I have ever done have been in the teaching capacity and I have always thoroughly enjoyed them. My Gran was a primary teacher and was my biggest inspiration in life. I never played with dolls or dressed up when I was younger. Instead, I would play ‘teachers’ with my Gran, bossing her around and using the whiteboard I had been gifted. I have a passion for foreign langauges and after my undergraduate, I knew I wanted to share this with young people so decided to apply for the PGDE.
Tell us about the format of the programme. What was a typical week like?
The programme was laid out really nicely. I’d have a 2 hour seminar on a Monday morning and then used the rest of the day to prepare for the upcoming week. Tuesday was my favourite day: Curriculum and Pedagogy. Each Tuesday we worked with the amazing Kandi Higgins and the other students in the language cohort. These sessions were always really useful and super enjoyable! Each Thursday we had an hour / two hour lecture relating to Professional Practise and then a seminar with the language cohort in which we would dissect what we had learned and relate this to the foreign language context. Some of my highlights were meeting the other amazing and inspirational students that I got to spend the year with and also being lucky enough to have been guided through the course by Kandi!
Tell us a little bit about your experience on placement...
Placement was a real learning curve and I really learned so much. It was amazing to put into practise everything I had learned in class or in lectures and to get feedback on my lessons from experienced staff members. Becoming a wider part of the school life was also brilliant as it allowed me to get to know pupils and staff outside of the classroom. With my background in fitness, I started a Girls Barbell Club which allowed me to introduce young girls to weightlifting! It was fantastic. Meeting so many inspirational young people and being able to share my love for languages with them on placement made me realise how excited I was to become a teacher.
What was the academic support at Strathclyde like?
The support we received at Strathclyde was excellent. If I ever had any doubts, I would email the PGDE team and would usually receive a response in the same day that I had sent an email. All teaching staff have so much experience and really want to see their students succeed, which was really noticeable from the get go. A special mention goes out to Kandi Higgings, who taught me so much and brightened up every day.
Where are you working now? What are your hopes for the future?
I have just started as an NQT in Strathaven Academy and am absolutely loving it. It is a fantastic school and I am learning new things every day. I am running an International Club each Wednesday at lunchtime and also run a staff fitness class for teachers each Thursday after school! This has been a great opportunity to get to know staff that I don’t usually see on a day to to basis. In terms of the future, I just want to continue inspiring the young people and acting as a role model for them. I want to continue treating them with respect and kindness, whilst making my lessons as interesting as possible so that each pupil has a great language learning experience!
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this degree?
Don’t overthink it and apply! Everyone will tell you that the PGDE year is intense, and that is true. However, being a teacher is the most rewarding job on the planet and even if some days are really tough, there are always positives and there will always be a young person to put a smile on your face! It really is an honour to share your passion with others and so I would tell anyone who is considering applying to do so, but to remember that there is a lot of work involved too!