Teacher - Secondary School - Modern Languages

You would inspire and motivate young people to learn other languages so they can make connections and communicate with people from other countries and cultures.

You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

As a modern and foreign languages teacher, you’d teach your pupils how to develop their skills in talking, listening, reading and writing in a foreign language. You could teach languages such as French, Spanish, German or Italian. You might teach more than one language.

Learning a foreign language will help young people explore other cultures and get a better understanding of their role as global citizens.

You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence Modern Languages and National Qualifications which you would use when planning your teaching.

You would:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials

• assess students’ progress and mark their work

• set homework

• manage classroom behaviour

• discuss students' progress with parents and carers

• organise study trips, social activities and sports events

You’d encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

You’d help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You’d need to attend meetings and training courses. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.

• Teach in Scotland - About a career in teaching: how to apply, studying, early career and professional development

• Education Scotland - Curriculum information, and advice and resources for teachers in Scotland

• Teaching Bursary in Scotland – discover if you could get £20,000 towards your teacher training