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Arabic Certificate Course

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Online course providing a foundation in up-to-date methods for teaching Arabic.

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Please note that this course will not be running in 2023-2024.  

 This course, which draws on Goldsmiths’ substantial experience as a provider of professional development for teachers of Arabic, has been developed through a partnership with the British Council and Qatar Foundation International.   

It is open to teachers working in the UK in mainstream, independent and community-based schools and provides a foundation in up-to-date methods for teaching Arabic and promotes a reflective, process-based, and collaborative approach to professional development integrating theory and practice.   

Based on a combination of lecture workshops, self-study activities and classroom teaching, it introduces: 

  • Principles of effective second/foreign language teaching and learning with an emphasis on the particular needs of the bilingual community language learner 
  • Creating a positive learning environment (ground rules, relationships, rewards and sanctions, involving parents) 
  • Effective planning which builds insights into the language system and progresses from input and practice to meaningful use 
  • Strategies for lively, interactive teaching 
  • Developing intercultural understanding and skills and encouraging creativity 
  • Catering for different needs in the classroom (differentiation) 
  • Using textbooks and creating own resources (including E-resources) 
  • Formative assessment and progression 
  • Language learner strategies and developing the independent learner  

Other course elements are an observation of teaching in a mainstream school which students have to arrange and a special project which students are expected to present at the end of the course.   

Students also need a school-based mentor to observe them teach at least on one occasion during the course. Mentor support is an important element in enabling participants to make maximum progress on the course. A mentor is an experienced teacher who will act as a ‘critical friend’. The role of the mentor is to provide, help, advice and encourage reflection, somebody with knowledge and experience to draw upon. Guidelines for mentors to assist them in carrying out their role are provided by tutors.  

The course involves 150 hours of learning time and leads to the award of a Goldsmiths’ Certificate with a value of 15 credits at Level 3 of the Higher Education framework. It provides excellent preparation for undertaking a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) course at a later stage. 

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How to Apply

Entry requirements

Applicants for the course should

  • Be a native speaker of Arabic OR have an A level (or equivalent qualification) in the language
  • Be able to communicate clearly in spoken and written English on matters related to education
  • Be teaching a class of at least 10 primary or secondary school aged students
  • Be teaching in a UK mainstream, independent or community based school context
  • Have the support of their Headteacher to undertake the course (including willingness to arrange for a mentor)

 

Application

You need to apply online by providing a Reference (Link to MS Form) from your Headteacher supporting your application (including their commitment to identifying a school-based mentor) and a 500-word Reflective Report (Link to MS Form) entitled ‘Teaching in my school: personal reflections’.

Please note that the application portal will close on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at midnight. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis and only full applications with both reflective report and reference will be taken into consideration. 

Fees

£800 - There is a £600 bursary for the first 20 successful applicants offered by Qatar Foundation International 

Enrolment

If your application is successful, you will be asked to enrol and pay for your share of the course fees.

This course will only run with a minimum of 15 people and a maximum of 20 people.

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis and are only definite once your enrolment is complete.

If you have any queries, please contact teacherscentre@gold.ac.uk.