I didn’t have formal language qualifications when I applied to become a teacher. I was so glad I did an SKE course.
Hugh
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Overview
Our SKE German courses are tailored to your individual subject knowledge needs, with the flexibility of studying online for 8, 12, 16 or 20 weeks. They refresh and help improve your existing knowledge of German, enabling you to apply it within the context of your individual role or as part of your wider studies. For example, our SKE German course is perfect if you need to strengthen your subject knowledge to be accepted onto initial teacher training, or simply if you feel that additional learning would be beneficial. Courses are free for those eligible for funding.
The German Subject Knowledge Enhancement course aims, through a blend of self-directed learning and online tutorials, to refresh, consolidate and improve your subject knowledge; develop your language and conversation skills; practise vocabulary and grammar; promote independent learning, improve meta-cognitive skills and develop your ability to identify and address your own learning needs.
Entry requirements
Pre-ITT: You must have accepted a conditional offer of an ITT place where the conditions indicate an SKE course in this subject must be completed.
Other: We can provide our SKE courses to candidates who can't secure a free place but would still benefit from completing a course.
All about the course
The German Subject Knowledge Enhancement course blends self-directed online learning with live video conferencing. Scheduled live tutorials are held weekly online in small groups. These are led by a tutor who is an experienced specialist teacher of your study language and will help you expand your language skills, particularly for classroom contexts.
The online interactive language system has an excellent international reputation, providing comprehensive immersion-based language learning for you to access according to your own schedule and even beyond the SKE course. Mobile integration provides the flexibility to study wherever and whenever you wish, both online and offline.
The software is designed to help you gain confidence in the building blocks of language by practicing vocabulary, phrases and grammar in real-world contexts, reinforced through repetition and enhanced by multimedia resources. Exercises cover all four linguistic skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking, including proprietary speech recognition software which will enable you to adjust your accent and pronunciation.
The focus of the SKE course is on language acquisition for everyday situations and is suitable for those starting at a wide range of language levels, from Beginner to Advanced. The software content and assessment are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), providing a recognised standard of achievement.
How you’ll learn
The course starts with an initial test to help identify your language level, followed by an online induction. Throughout the course, you participate in the weekly online tutorials and work through the online language activities. At the end of the course, you take the final test to measure your progress.
You are expected to spend a minimum average of 25 hours a week working on the course.
Owing to the online nature of the course, you must have the following to access it:
- a desktop or laptop personal computer (Windows or Mac);
- a reliable internet connection;
- a headset with microphone and USB connection.
We do NOT support the following devices for the SKE course as they may not be able to access all features of the course fully:
- Tablets (whether iPad or Android)
- Smart phones
- Chromebooks
For further details: Full technical specifications (pdf)
Please note: If you do not have the equipment listed, you will need to purchase it as funding is not available for IT equipment.
At first I was a bit scared because it was all online and I thought it would be a bit cold but really it is a warm and friendly atmosphere. Our tutor really followed up on things from the week before. Students are 100% involved in the lesson. I was really surprised about how well it worked online.
ThiebaultSKE participant
How you’ll be assessed
Successful completion of the course is measured through engagement with the course and progress in the course tests.
This is a non-credit bearing course.
Fees
Funding and Bursaries for Pre-ITT Applicants
Students with a conditional ITT offer dependent upon completing an SKE course, may be eligible for course funding and a bursary provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Bursaries are available at a rate of £175 per week to help support these students throughout the course.
For full information, read our SKE Funding and Bursary Guidance (pdf).
If you believe you are eligible for a bursary, you will also need to provide the following when applying:
- Complete and upload the SKE BACS Form to your online application
- Complete the following online: SKE Bursary Eligibility Declaration
Fees
Applicants who do not meet the pre-ITT funding criteria (e.g. those who hold QTS) will need to pay the tuition fee.
The course fees for 2020/2021 are £200 per week.
For entry during 2020/2021 the tuition fee rates are:
- 8 weeks - £1,600
- 12 weeks - £2,400
- 16 weeks - £3,200
- 20 weeks - £4,000
Course Dates
Cohort 1
COHORT 1 START DATE: 3rd April 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 22nd March 2021
| Length | End Date: | Status |
| 8 weeks | 29/05/2021 | OPEN |
| 12 weeks | 26/06/2021 | OPEN |
| 16 weeks | 24/07/2021 | OPEN |
| 20 weeks | 21/08/2021 | OPEN |
Cohort 2
COHORT 2 START DATE: 1st May 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19th April 2021
| Length | End Date: | Status |
| 8 weeks | 26/06/2021 | OPEN |
| 12 weeks | 24/07/2021 | OPEN |
| 16 weeks | 21/08/2021 | OPEN |
Cohort 3
COHORT 3 START DATE: 29th May 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 17th May 2021
| Length | End Date: | Status |
| 8 weeks | 24/07/2021 | OPEN |
| 12 weeks | 21/08/2021 | OPEN |
Cohort 4
COHORT 3 START DATE: 26th June 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14th June 2021
| Length | End Date: | Status |
| 8 weeks | 21/08/2021 | OPEN |
Apply now
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