Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

William Amosa, an English teacher at Mt Roskill Grammar School, enjoys being able to continually learn about new things to pass on to students. Picture / Graeme Sedal

The course

The imparting of knowledge to teenagers within the classroom can be an exciting and challenging role that requires an intense year of graduate diploma training.

In 2006 a new version of the University of Auckland Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) will be offered by University of Auckland as a result of the amalgamation of the University of Auckland and Auckland College of Education, which traditionally offered graduate diplomas.

The diploma has a practical focus. Trainees spend 14 weeks of their programme on practicum in secondary schools. This time includes two five-week concentrated blocks in two different schools to give trainee teachers experience in the process of planning, preparing, delivering and assessing full units of work to classes.

Trainees are encouraged to develop methods of teaching that extend them beyond how they were taught themselves, continually seeking new ways to approach their subject and observe and motivate their students.

A large part of professional practice is based on classroom management.

Study is done through workshops, small group tutorials, lectures and field experience.

The 120-point (one full-time year) graduate diploma will be taught largely on the Epsom campus, but some subject study will also be offered at the city campus where there has traditionally been collaboration between teacher training and subject departments.

All students enrol in 60 points of generic courses, such as professional issues, practicum and education studies. They also do curriculum courses between 60 to 120 points in secondary school subjects.

To enter the graduate diploma, you need to have successfully completed a degree through a New Zealand university, or an overseas equivalent. You need to have studied your subject of choice to stage two or have extensive industry experience.

Students with English as a second language need to have an IELTS of 7.5.

Applicants are usually also required to provide personal references and attend an interview. Applications are due December but late applications will be considered as places allow. A two-year part-time option is available

Tuition fees for 2005 were $3800. Scholarships are available for tuition fee bursaries and Teach NZ scholarships. Teach NZ offers two bonded scholarships. The secondary subject scholarships are for undergraduate students intending to be teachers who are studying chemistry, maths, physics, technology and te reo Maori. There is also a $10,000 secondary subject trainee allowance available to final-year undergraduates and graduates who intend to train as teachers in the five subjects above, or biology and English. Contact 0800 TEACH NZ or www.teachnz.govt.nz.

What graduates think

William Amosa, 25
Secondary school English teacher, Mt Roskill Grammar School. Graduated end of 2003.

After doing my arts degree at the University of Auckland, I worked as a teacher aide at Mt Roskill Grammar School to make sure teaching was what I wanted to do. I chose teaching because I love English, admired my own English teachers and enjoy being able to continually learn about new things I can pass on to students.

Through the course I learned the craft of teaching and of reflection. We had a lot of practical time in schools, including two seven-week placements in two different schools. It was really important to have that amount of time in the classroom. I learned a lot through the feedback I received from teachers while on practicum.

We were encouraged to be team-oriented. This gives me a strong base of support as a beginning teacher and I am still able to access resources from the university which is a huge help.

What employers think

Ken Rapson
Principal, Mt Roskill Grammar School

Teaching can be a real challenge to young teachers starting out in the classroom but William entered teaching with a good deal of confidence and understanding of the job because of the training and experience he gained from his teaching placements.

The advantage of this diploma is that the placements are for a good length of time which allows student teachers to teach and assess a good block of work.

Auckland University staff maintain contact with schools to make sure they are meeting the demands of the modern classroom, and student teachers spend a lot of time discussing practice. I think the changes with ACE and University of Auckland will be good because we will get the best of both approaches.

The qualification

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
University of Auckland (Auckland city and Epsom campuses and Tai Tokerau Campus, Whangarei)
Ph: 0800 223 266
Starting salary: Graduate diploma and three-year degree or equivalent start on $37,323