Certificate in Education, CertEd (Lifelong Learning) - Level 5

If you’re hoping to go into teaching within further education or sixth form colleges, or you see yourself taking up a career in adult education or informal education roles, then this course could be ideal for you. This teacher training course for non-graduates is focused on training to teach within the lifelong learning (post 14) sector comprising of further education, adult education, offender learning, training organisations and adult community learning

What will I study?

On this course you’ll have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and understanding needed to teach in the Lifelong Learning sector, and the ability to identify your ongoing needs for professional development. The course helps to prepare you for playing a full part in the teaching, administrative, and curriculum development activities in colleges and in other education and training organisations.

The course gives you the opportunity to concentrate on your own subject area, in addition to your subject specialism whilst embedding core subjects including English, Maths, Digital Literacies and SEND into your teaching and Learning.

The focus of this course is on practical teaching. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience of learning and teaching alongside other professionals with support from tutors and work-based mentors.

You’ll be supported to gain competence in planning, teaching and learning; and in working with students; with assessment of your progress taking place in formal classrooms and in student-centred learning situations.

Your core module will include:

Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment

This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement.

It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials.

It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills.

The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher

The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you're learning to teach.

You'll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students’ needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments.

You'll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students.

Being a Specialist Teacher

This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis of subject specialist pedagogy.

The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by developing your ability to respond to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways.

Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject. Show the progress and development you are making as a teacher.

Curriculum and Context

This module will develop your critical understanding of policy and issues relating to curriculum development in lifelong learning. You will investigate the impact of policy on curriculum development and draw on appropriate evidence to interrogate curriculum practice and discuss possible improvements.

The module will cover the internal and external factors that drive curriculum change and consider key contemporary issues in lifelong learning that impact upon curriculum development and design.

Your optional modules will include:

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

This module will develop your understanding of provision for learners with English as an additional language (EAL) in the lifelong learning sector. You will explore the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice.

The module will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

SEND: Curriculum and Context

This module will develop your understanding of special educational provision in the lifelong learning sector and disability equality in the lifelong learning curriculum. You will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with SEN/D in mainstream and specialist contexts within lifelong learning.

You will examine education reform and UK policy on post-16 SEN/D provision along with the ways in which national, local and organisational policy influence the SEN/D curriculum. You will draw on appropriate evidence to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

EDI and Social Justice: Curriculum and Context

This module explores the ways in which lifelong learning can address inequity and disadvantage. It introduces some key conceptual frameworks for understanding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and social justice within a lifelong learning context.

You will explore the sociopolitical ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will consider the sectorial expectations around inclusion, equality and participation that guide the work of the lifelong learning practitioner and the ways in which lifelong learning can extend opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds.

You will explore some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and consider your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.

Assessment

Assessments vary and include lesson planning, microteaching, lesson observations, portfolios, structured reflections on practice, presentations, personal development planning, teaching log, subject specialist paper and presentation, assignments and digital presentations.

You will be required to participate in activities with the University of Huddersfield, these may include online workshops and in-person sessions.