Secondary teaching – languages

In NSW and other Australian states prospective teachers of a language other than English (LOTE) usually need to obtain accreditation to teach the language of their choice as well as a second subject, which may be a second language other than English.

People who are interested in a career teaching a language other than English would normally be required to complete university studies in all of the following:

• a language
  
  
• a second teaching area, for example, English, geography, another language, mathematics or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  
  
• education as a social science
  
  
• professional and curriculum studies (teaching methodology).
  
  

Recommended studies for HSC students

The undergraduate degree-pathway for high-school students who are contemplating a career in LOTE teaching requires five-years' study and results in the award of a double degree: Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education: Humanities and Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Arts.

Although no prerequisites exist for programs resulting in LOTE teaching accreditation, Year 10 students who are hoping to pursue a career teaching a language other than English – and who are about to choose their HSC subjects – would benefit from studying that language for their HSC as well as subjects relevant to the second teaching area in which they are interested.

Prerequisites for graduate-entry applicants

Graduates with a first degree that includes studies appropriate to teaching a language other than English may be eligible for admission to the Master of Teaching. Undergraduate studies that are generally appropriate for entry into the MTeach for LOTE include a Bachelor of Arts with a major in a language. The detailed prerequisites are available in the graduate-entry section of "Future students".