Morgan is a graduate from the PGDE Secondary Education: Languages programme at the University of Strathclyde
Tell us a little bit about your background...
I completed my undergraduate degree in Spanish and French at the University of Strathclyde before returning to study for my PGDE in Secondary Education (Spanish). I’ve always had a real passion for languages and for sharing that passion with others. Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years teaching dance, which really helped me to develop strong communication skills, confidence as a leader of learning and the ability to motivate and inspire students - all of which have transferred perfectly into teaching languages.
What drew you towards undertaking this degree?
Teaching has always been my dream job. I’ve loved languages for as long as I can remember and I knew I wanted to help others experience the same excitement and sense of achievement that comes from learning a new language. After teaching dance for many years, I realised how much I enjoyed helping people learn and grow - and that my skills and personality were well suited to teaching. Therefore, I decided to apply for the PGDE at Strathclyde to start my journey towards becoming a secondary school languages teacher.
Tell us about the format of the programme...
The PGDE at Strathclyde is well-structured and combines both academic learning and hands-on experience in schools. A typical week includes lectures, seminars, and independent study, but Tuesdays quickly became my favourite day of the week!
Tuesdays are dedicated to curriculum and pedagogy with Kandi, the incredible languages PGDE tutor at Strathclyde, who has been the most supportive and inspiring mentor. You’ll soon find yourself part of the legendary Tuesday Club - a community of modern languages teachers that Kandi has taught and supported over the past ten years. It’s such a special group that offers a real sense of belonging and encouragement.
Alongside these sessions, we also studied key policy and education-focused modules such as Education Studies: Political and Social Values (ESPV) and Professional Learning Through Enquiry. We also had asynchronous lectures and tasks some weeks on important topics such as supporting autistic learners, which added depth to our understanding of inclusive education.
After the initial teaching blocks on campus, we went out on placement in two different schools - one after the October week and one beginning in February, before returning to our second placement school again after Easter. These placements were invaluable, allowing me to put everything I’d learned at university into practice and grow in confidence as a teacher.
Tell us about your experience on placement...
The school placement is well-organised by the university to give us varied and enriching experiences. I was incredibly lucky to have two wonderful placements in supportive schools where I could really develop my teaching practice. Both my school mentors and Kandi were amazing sources of guidance throughout, always providing encouragement and constructive feedback. These experiences confirmed that teaching languages is exactly what I want to do - and I left the PGDE feeling fully prepared to step into my NQT year.
What is the academic support at Strathclyde like?
The academic support at Strathclyde is truly second to none. I experienced this during both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Kandi, in particular, goes above and beyond for her students - she’s always available to offer advice, reassurance, and support, and she shows genuine and unwavering care towards every single one of her Tuesday clubbers. Her warmth, passion, and encouragement made such a difference, especially when things felt overwhelming.
The course leaders for our other modules were equally supportive, always quick to respond to emails and provide detailed feedback, resources, and guidance. You never feel alone at Strathclyde - there’s a real sense of community and care that runs through the whole Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Education.
What are the facilities at Strathclyde like?
The facilities at Strathclyde are fantastic. The library is brilliant for academic research and offers plenty of quiet spaces for studying, and there is an Education Centre (a dedicated hub for teaching students, full of useful resources, which is amazing!) The campus itself is right in the heart of Glasgow, with everything you need nearby, and the Students’ Union provides a great space to relax and socialise. I met some of my closest friends through both courses, and the sense of camaraderie across the campus makes the experience even more special.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My goal is to continue growing and developing as a teacher, using all the knowledge, strategies, and inspiration I gained during my PGDE. I hope to instil in my pupils the same love for languages that my tutors, especially Kandi, instilled in me. I hope I can encourage some of my own students to go on to teach languages themselves, just like my lecturers at Strathclyde did for me.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this course?
If you want to become a languages teacher, apply to Strathclyde - it will be the best decision you’ll ever make! The PGDE programme is challenging, rewarding, and deeply supportive. Kandi’s enthusiasm, warmth, and dedication make what could be a daunting year into an unforgettable and genuinely life-changing experience. You’ll gain not only the skills and confidence to become an excellent teacher, but also lifelong friends and mentors. Joining Tuesday Club truly feels like becoming part of a family - one that continues to support you long after graduation.