Faqs - British Council - Graduate Teacher Programme

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Teach in a UK School

What is the Graduate Teacher Programme?

How to apply

	Graduate Teacher Programme FAQs

		1. My native language is not French, Spanish or German. Can I still train to teach it in England?

It is possible, but you would need to contact the Graduate Teacher Training Registry to find out if there are institutions willing to train you with only that language. It is quite likely that you would need to be able to teach a second language/second subject. Alternatively, if you find a school willing to train you through another Graduate Teacher Programme, this might be possible. The CILT/British Council GTP scheme cannot accept native speaker trainees of languages other than French, Spanish or German unless they have found their own training school.

		2. Can I train in the school where I am currently a Foreign Language Assistant?

If you are an assistant, you should discuss your application for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme with your school. One of your references should be from this school. Some assistants do continue their training at the same school but this depends on many factors. If your school is interested in training you on the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme they should go to www.cilt.org.uk/training/schools.htm or e-mail gtp@cilt.org.uk to apply to take part in the scheme. You should also provide details of this prospective training school in your application form.

		3. I am a trained primary school teacher from an EU country. Am I qualified to teach my native language (French/Spanish/German) in an English secondary school?

You can apply for formal recognition of your qualification to obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - enquire by emailing: tqhelpdesk@gtce.org.uk. Once you have QTS, you are then eligible to teach in either primary or secondary, and would then need to apply for a suitable vacant post. It is likely that your lack of experience with secondary aged pupils is a disadvantage. It may be helpful to gain more experience with this age group through working as a classroom assistant or doing some voluntary work in a secondary school/youth club. If you are awarded QTS, it is unlikely that funding would be available for you to retrain to teach languages at secondary level.

		4. I have never worked in a UK school or with young people in my own country. Can I still apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

You may apply but you should note that the selection is competitive. Those who have experience of teaching, particularly in the UK or of other relevant work with groups of young people aged 11-16 may be in a stronger position. Any knowledge and understanding you may have of the English education system is likely to enhance your application. If you are based in the UK it would be helpful for you to try to visit a UK school before applying. If you are not able to do this, you could do some research on the Internet. Recommended sites are the Times Educational Supplement (the newspaper is available in UK newsagents every Friday) and Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe (the Eurybase database provides information on the education systems in each country).

		5. I have previously applied for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme but was unsuccessful. Can I reapply?

	You may reapply but you should email teachers.programmes@britishcouncil.org for feedback concerning your unsuccessful application last time.

		6. I am a recently qualified teacher from the European Union and would like to teach in England. Can I join the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

	No. If you are qualified and wish to teach in England, email tqhelpdesk@gtce.org.uk to have your qualification formally recognised. You can apply for suitable posts, which are usually advertised through the Times Educational Supplement (the newspaper is available in UK newsagents every Friday).

		7. I am an English native speaker but have native speaker level French. Can I apply through the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

	No. This is a special programme designed for trainees who have not usually been to school or completed their higher education in the UK. If you find a school willing to train you could apply for a GTP through another provider or you could apply to do a PGCE course.

		8. I want to spend a couple of years in England and have heard that you are recruiting German teachers. Can I apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

If you meet the eligibility criteria you may apply. However, please note that if you only wish to spend a couple of years in England, this is not likely to be the best route for you. The training is designed for those who wish to stay in England and teach in the English system for several years at least. If your main motivation for applying is simply to be in England and you know that you will definitely return to your country after a year or two, you should re-consider your options. The GTP training is demanding and requires strong motivation and commitment to a teaching career.

		9. I want to apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme but will not graduate until July 08. Can I still apply?

	With the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme, the training schools interview candidates in June 08. This means that all candidates must have successfully completed their bachelor's degree by 1 June 2008 or have obtained written proof by this stage that they have passed their degree from the awarding institution.

		10. I am French and intend to take the CAPES/PLP2 (or similar exam) to teach in France. However, the pass rate is very low. Can I also apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

If you gain a qualification allowing you to teach in France, you will not be able to participate in the Graduate Teacher Programme even if you decide to delay the start of your teaching career in France. Although some applicants do apply for both, it is important to decide whether you really want to teach in England or in France. Applicants must state clearly on their forms if they are taking exams in France. Only those candidates who are unsuccessful at the written stage of these exams may be invited to the selection week 9-13 June 2008 . Candidates who are successful at the written stage, may only be considered for a training school placement if they are unsuccessful at the oral examination.

		11. I am a qualified teacher from Austria. I heard that there was a programme for Austrians/Germans and Spanish qualified teachers.

That is true. In the past there has been a pilot scheme for qualified teachers. We will not be recruiting for this programme in 2008. However, qualified teachers may apply for formal recognition of their qualification - enquire by email to: tqhelpdesk@gtce.org.uk. Vacant posts are usually advertised in the Times Educational Supplement (the newspaper is available in UK newsagents every Friday). Teachers need to apply directly to schools for posts.

		12. I am not a citizen of the EEA. Can I apply to take part in the Graduate Teacher Programme?

In order to apply for the GTP, you must be eligible to work in the UK. Citizens of the EEA or Switzerland do not require a work permit to work in the UK. If you are not a citizen of the EEA or Switzerland and are unsure, please see our work permit guidance notes Comprehensive guidance is available through the Home Office website.

		13. I am Spanish and am currently working as an assistant in England. Can I apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme?

If you do not hold the Certificado de Aptitúd Pedagógica (CAP), you can apply for the CILT/British Council Graduate Teacher Programme. If you have the CAP you can have your qualification recognised (enquire by email to tqhelpdesk@gtce.org.uk). You can apply directly for vacant posts which are usually advertised in the Times Educational Supplement - (the newspaper is available in UK newsagents every Friday).

		14. I have a job and, if I am successful at the second round of interviews, I will not be able to give short notice to attend the Familiarisation Course. Do I have to attend the Familiarisation Course?

	Yes, the Familiarisation Course constitutes the beginning of the training course and attendence is compulsory for all those who are accepted on to the scheme.

		15. My degree was not in English. Can I still apply for the CILT/British Council GTP?

	If your experience is relevant and you can prove that you have an excellent level of English, your application may be considered. The training is very demanding and requires an excellent level of written and spoken English. Applicants who do not have excellent English will not be accepted.