Interview hell!

On Monday I had an interview at the University of East Anglia for a place on their Primary PGCE with French course. I had been dreading it, and my dread was well founded! According to the letter I received, the morning would consist of a conversation in the target language, a written piece in the target language plus an interview, then the afternoon would be an interview, a written piece plus a presentation and group discussion. However, the reality was slightly different!

There were 7 of us for the morning (language) session, and I was the oldest by around 15 years, plus I was the only person wearing a suit! The conversation and interview turned out to be one and the same thing, which threw me somewhat and I ended up blanking when he spoke to me in French. I hope they will realise it was only down to nerves and that I can actually speak French! I think the written task was ok, but given my complete failure on the interview I am no longer very confident.

The afternoon was, I think, better. We were joined by 4 more students for the general PGCE part of the day. I was one of the first in for interview and I think it was ok, but I never know how to interpret the 'hmm, hmm' - is it a good hmm, hmm or a bad hmm, hmm? I managed to answer all the questions, so hope I was saying the right things! I feel as if the book presentation went well - I stuck to my 3 minutes unlike some of the candidates - and joined in the discussion, although admittedly I wasn't the first to speak in the discussion phase unlike the very keen candidate who obviously wanted to stand out. the written task was horrible though - I have no idea if I wrote the right thing.

We were told that if it was a definite no we would hear within 2 weeks, otherwise we would be on a list dependant on the allocation for funding for places. I'm ju't hoping I don't hear anything before Christmas, which would mean I still have a chance!

In other news, it was the last day of term today. Feeling sad as the teacher I work with is leaving to go to another school and I will be working with a supply teacher for next term. There were quite a few tears from the children, but I'm sure they'll soon settle in with a new teacher. Plus I have the opportunity to do some work experience in another school with my former colleague!

Hoping for positive news soon...

A degree at last, plus an interview

Finally, I can say I have a degree! I have received the results of the 3 modules I took this year, and received a pass 2 in my level 3 French and a pass and a distinction in my level 1 German modules. This means that I can claim 3 qualifications from the OU - a Certificate in German, a Diploma in French and a BA (Open). I still need to pass my current Children's Literature module to get the final 60 credits for an Honours degree, but the end is in sight. With my current grades. as long as I get a pass 3 or above for this module, I should still come out with a 2:1, which I will be absolutely delighted with. There is still a lot of work to do though - I'm not finding it to be an easy module as I haven't studied any literature before, but it is interesting, so I'm hoping I can get through it in one piece.

In other news, I have an interview for a place on a Primary PGCE course next week. To say I'm nervous is an understatement! I know I'm not great at interviews, so am doing what I can to try and prepare for the day. Because I am applying for Primary with French, I get a whole day of interviews! French conversation, a French written assessment plus an interview, then the PGCE part - interview, book presentation and group discussion, and another written assessment. This is what the past 3 years have all been about - getting a place on the course to do my teacher training, so there is a lot riding on the interview day.

Must remember to stock up on Rescue Remedy to see me through the day!

The right decision.

I recently spent 2 days at a local high school which has a newly opened International Centre. I wanted to have a look at life in secondary education to make sure that my decision to aim for primary teaching was the right one. Plus I wanted to find out a bit more about what is expected of children's language abilities when they start at high school.

The school was very welcoming and I observed a range of languages and ages. There seemed to be an assumption that the children have no prior language experience which I feel is a shame for those that have had the opportunity to start exploring other languages. However, this school is slightly different from usual as it doesn't have any direct feeder schools - children come from all over the county, the country and overseas, so the school doesn't have the chance to influence their feeder schools that other high schools may have.

The biggest difference I noticed between primary and secondary was the behaviour - some of the pupils had some definite attitude problems! Also the enthusiasm for languages that I have seen in my primary just wasn't there - some of the children seemed keen but others were just not interested at all.

I'm glad I observed the secondary school - it has confirmed to me that primary education is where I want to be. From my (admittedly limited) experience so far, the children in primary are more willing to try new things and have an enthusiasm that seems to be missing once they reach secondary. From the language side, I think that if you can get the children interested in other languages and cultures at an earlier age, they are more likely to carry that interest through high school. If they don't start learning languages until the reach high school, that interest seems to be lacking.

Now, how can I work that into my PGCE personal statement?!

Back to school

I have loved spending the holiday with my children. but I have also loved getting back to work this week. Tuesday was an INSET day, spent mostly sorting out the classroom ready for this year. I have ripped up so many old books this week it is ridiculous! I don't work Wednesdays (at the minute!), so Thursday was my first real time back in school. We have a lovely class this year and I am really looking forward to working with them. I spent most of today sorting the cupboard again, but it was quite therapeutic! I have been asked to take the4 Year 6s for French, which I am really looking forward to. It will be a bit daunting, but I hope I will be able to really improve their language skills by the time they leave next year. I am already looking at how I can refresh what they learnt last year. As from next week I am changing my work days, although I have unfortunately had to turn down some extra hours as I have my OU work to finish.

September is a bit of a mad month - 2 end of course German assessments plus a French dissertation, then a spoken assessment for each course. I am so looking forward to October when I will only have one course on the go (Children's Literature) although I think it is going to be a tough course to pass.

In October I will need to submit my PGCE application. I am spending a couple of days on a high school next week for observation, but know I want to apply for Primary. Just need to make sure my personal statement is up to scratch. Have spoken to my class teacher about looking at his plans and assessment, so I have a bit ore of an idea what I am doing!

It is going to be a busy, but rewarding, few months.

Studying and school holidays don't mix!

Don't get me wrong - I love my children dearly. Yet when I have 3 tutor marker assignments, then three end of course written assignments plus 3 end of course spoken assignments to prepare, my patience is stretched to the limit. Every time I think I have an hour to make some progress I get interrupted for one reason or another. I have one more TMA to submit, then I am on to the end of course assignments - the important bits that will affect my overall degree grade.

I am reasonably confident with my German EMAs - I think I should be able to write enough to get a pass grade. Yet I am very apprehensive about the spoken component of these exams - I have little to no speaking practise!

French is another matter altogether - my continuous assessment has just been enough to get a pass grade 2 overall, but that means I need to get a grade 2 in my written and spoken end of course assessments. That will mean a lot of work between now and October! Lie I said, my children are great but they are not conducive to studying! I need to spend several hours working on my assignments before submission date, plus try to get to the face to face tutorials during September to practise.

Time to say goodbye

It has been an emotional and tiring week in school! I seem to have been in school rather a lot this week, mainly to help out with the traditional Leaver's Play - a chance for the year 5 & 6 class to put on a performance for everyone. This year's play was The Jungle Book and the children did a fantastic job. Monday afternoon was the dress rehearsal in front of the rest of the school and was my first attempt at face painting. Thankfully the children were very patient with my less than artistic efforts! The next two evenings were the main performances for family and friends and everyone really raised their game and put on brilliant performances. I think even I managed to improve my face painting skills by the third attempt! It was the first time I have been involved with the play, and although I didn't have lots to do I really enjoyed seeing the children develop their roles and see their confidence blossoming.

Today was the last day of term and the Leaver's Service - usually a time for lots of tears. This is the second year that I have worked in the same class as this group of children (I was also with them in Year 4) and it is lovely to see how they have grown and matured. I felt very proud of them as they gave their speeches and received their well-deserved awards, and they all did very well to keep composed with only a few tears (there were more tears from the children who were watching than from Year 6!) They are a lovely group of children and a very tight-knit and supportive group and I know that they will continue to flourish at high school.

Probably the saddest part of the morning for me was when Miss M was presented with her leaving gift. She came to the school as an NQT 3 years ago and taught one of my daughters in her first year. I had the pleasure of working with her last year and she has become a very good friend and has been very supportive of my plans to become a teacher. I will miss her at school but am determined to keep in touch. Her new school is very lucky to have her.

The highlight of the day was the annual Year 6 v. staff rounders match. Always a competitive game, the staff were determined to win having lost last year (I wasn't playing then!). Staff went into bat first and we did well, with only 3 people out. I surprised myself by managing to hit the ball at all! Then we were into field and I went to third base - my favourite spot from school - as I can catch but can't throw very far! We started well as Mr D caught the first Year 6 batter out. They managed to get a few round but we soon got into our stride and started getting more out. I managed a catch and also a few run outs, and our vicar (playing for the staff) also caught someone out and made some great throws. In the end the staff beat Year 6 quite comfortably, although they still maintain we cheated!

It is sobering to think that this time next year I will be leaving the school as my pupil will be moving on to high school. Hopefully I will be leaving to move onto my PGCE, although of course there is always the chance I won't get onto the course. I am looking forward to working with the year 5 / 6 group again next year and to helping another group of children to prepare for life after primary school.

Where has the term gone?

It only seems five minutes since I came home from France, yet in just 2 weeks time we will be saying goodbye to our current year 6 and preparing for September and a new class. Time has whizzed by and yet I haven't written anything! This is probably more to do with the fact I have been trying to keep up with my OU courses than anything else. In hindsight, trying to study 120 credits in 9 months while working and being a single parent to 4 children during the week while hubby works away was rather foolish, but I only have 3 months to go and am hopeful I will survive! Results in French haven't been what I would have liked - whilst I can communicate perfectly well in French I am finding the rigid academic style far more difficult. Thankfully the lovely Mandy has been helping me with my German, otherwise I fear I would be failing that as well! Just 1 course assessment to go in each course, then an end of course written and spoken assessment for each and I'm done! Looking forward to only having 60 credits to contend with from October till June 2012, then hopefully my degree will be finished.

In preparation for my PGCE application, I recently spent a morning in a local Junior school. It was interesting to see the difference between a single age class and my current mixed age class. The same problems with differentiation still exist, yet they were all expected to work at a very similar lesson. I have also made arrangements to spend a couple of days in a local Secondary school which specialises in languages, in September, just to reassure myself that Primary is the way for me. I really can't see myself teaching at Secondary level - I love working with the year 5/6 class and see that as my future.

I have also had the opportunity to lead my class over the last couple of weeks, either while the teacher was out or when he had assessments to complete. And I loved it! I thought I might be really nervous in front of the class, yet while I was a bit self concious I really enjoyed the opportunity to test how I could engage the class and direct their work.

I do feel very nervous about the PGCE application, but can only do my best! Whether I have the skills that the university is looking for remains to be seen, but I will be doing my best over the summer to ensure that I am as prepared as I can be (as well as finishing off my current OU courses!) And for now, I can concentrate on helping my class as they prepare for their leaver's play, as well as making sure I am ready for the Year 6 v. staff rounders match on the last day of term!