Courses and Prospectus - Undergraduate

Denis Gle was awarded a scholarship from the Cote d’Ivoire to come to study in the UK in 1998. Having completed his MSc, and undertaken some educational work in West Africa, he has now returned to England to study for a PGCE in Science.

My wonderful learning adventure in the United Kingdom started in 1998 when I got a scholarship to come to study in this country. Before I got that scholarship, I was employed in my country by the Ministry of Education to implement an environmental education programme in secondary schools. It was to improve my skills in working with secondary school children that I was offered this opportunity to attend a British university.

I landed at the University of Kent in Canterbury (UKC) where I did a Masters degree in Conservation Biology and Environmental Education. UKC was a great experience for me in terms of learning facilities and further opportunities in education. When I went back home, I started working with an international organisation based in Switzerland and working in West Africa. That organisation aims to raise children’s awareness about conservation issues in secondary schools. As I was educated in the French system and I graduated in a British university I can speak French and English. On the ground of my bilingual skills and my academic achievement, I was given another opportunity to undertake a teaching qualification in Britain.
When I came back to the UK, I decided to return to Canterbury. From my previous stay, I knew that the city is suitable for students. I applied for a secondary PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University. CCCU was my first choice because it was the only University that offers this kind of training in Canterbury. I love working with children and I have a great sum of experience in this area. I thought a PGCE course would help me enjoy my training and improve my teaching experience.

I find the PGCE course very interesting but very demanding in terms of time spent at University and at my placement school. It is a great experience for myself.

As a student teacher with an overseas background, I had an apprehension or anxiety about my teaching performance in my placement school. I was worried about the way I would apply concepts new to me like the National Curriculum, the National Key Stage 3 Strategy etc… However, that apprehension has been dissipated by the warm welcome I received from the personnel of my placement school. The headmaster, the teaching staff and the pupils are very helpful, and make my school experience less stressful and more enjoyable. I have started my block teaching practice, the future seems hopeful, and I am looking forward to a successful teaching practice.