Training our next generation of outstanding teachers

NALDIC has recently responded to the government's consultation on improving the recruitment, training and subsequent professional development of teachers. In our response we have argued that the government needs to consider more carefully how new teachers are prepared for meeting the needs of the one in seven of our pupils who is bilingual or learning EAL.

We have urged the government to consider:

• Strengthening the focus on EAL within initial teacher training given that one in seven of our pupils are bilingual, including the introduction of EAL specialist initial teacher training
• Ensuring that the teaching skills and subject knowledge to equip teachers to meet the needs of EAL learners is given an appropriately high profile within the revised standards for QTS
• Supporting Masters level training for specialist EAL teachers prior to any greater move towards school based training routes
• Ensuring that all trainee teachers are trained within environments that provide them with access to high quality practice and pedagogy in relation to EAL and bilingual learners, with strong links to universities and subject associations where much expertise still resides

Our full response can be viewed here