Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy
![Illustration picture for [title-raw]](http://training.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/course_page_display-220w/images/coursepicture/postgraduatecertificateanddiploma-pic.jpg "Illustration picture on Dyslexia Action - Centre for Teacher Training and Education")
This is a comprehensive course that aims to give you the expertise to become a specialist teacher. You will be given:
- skills in how to plan programmes and teach learners struggling with literacy who may have dyslexia
- an understanding of the development and structure of language
- an understanding of the psychological perspectives of dyslexia
- an understanding of the principles of assessment
Course overview
- blended learning: 3 days residential Induction School then all e-learning
- 6 modules (minimum 100 hours of study per module)
- Minimum 15 hours per week of study
- 20 hours of teaching practice
- Regular, weekly contact with tutors
- Postgraduate level of study
- 60 CAT (Credit Accumulation Transfer) points at Master’s level
- Validated by the University of York
The course is structured so that practical teaching modules are studied in parallel with modules related to research and theory. This helps develop an understanding of the integration of theory and practice.
- face to face sessions at the intensive 3 day residential Induction School held during the early weeks of the course.
- to give you the opportunity to meet your tutor and other course members
- to introduce you to the principles of specialist teaching and the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme
- to give you hands-on experience with assessment materials
- to give you an overview of the philosophy, structure and expectations of the course.
- e-learning – the rest of the course is delivered through the Moodle VLE. You will be assigned:
- an education tutor to support you by giving academic guidance and practical advice. Our education tutors are experienced, practising, specialist dyslexia teachers.
- a psychology tutor who will provide support for the psychology theory and assessment. Our psychology tutors are practising psychologists with specialist knowledge and experience in the dyslexia field.
Successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate is necessary to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma.
You can preview a sample module on our moodle site.
Please click here for our Frequently Asked Questions for the course.
What students say
I loved every minute and feel hugely inspired.
Comment about February 2010 Induction School
I have learnt so much, particularly the practical teaching methods, which I'm sure will serve me for the rest of my career in the field of dyslexia.
Tracey Wills Oct 08 cohort
I don’t know how I could teach without it since the information gained is so essential. It has opened my eyes to the difficulties these children struggle with and more importantly how I can begin to help them. The course has helped me to see that I want to work in special needs as my chosen area and I aim to continue to year 2 of the course.
Oct 07 cohort student
It is an outstandingly good course, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The interaction with tutors and other people on the course has been inspiring and we have learned from each other, and supported each other. It is hard work, but each week I have come away knowing that I have moved on professionally'.
Carol Mearles-Pay 2005
I loved every minute and feel hugely inspired.
Who is the course for
- Teachers at all Key Stages
- Special Needs Teachers
- SENCos
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Teachers in Further and Higher Education and other adult settings
- Educational Psychologists
- Overseas teachers and education professionals
- Occupational Therapists will also be considered
Course content and structure
- A duration of one academic year
- Intakes in February and October
- No written examinations
- Modular course covering:
- Structure of language
- Principles of specialist teaching and introduction to the psychological theories of dyslexia
- Principles of assessment
- Practical teaching and resources
Each module:
- requires regular, weekly private study (minimum 15 hours per week)
- requires regular, weekly communication with tutors and peers on Moodle
- may require assessment and lesson preparation time. There is an emphasis on integrating the study of theory and research relating to dyslexia with practical application.
Pupil assessment is studied in detail. Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to:
- carry out a full case study including the assessment of a learner through administering, scoring and interpreting up-to-date, reliable and valid tests
- use the assessment findings to plan a series of lessons
- make suggestions for teaching and intervention programmes to meet the learner’s future needs.
Practical teaching modules
- Student responsible for finding their own learners
- Initial learner needs to be between the ages of 7 and 14 and will be taught for a minimum of 10 hours over 10 weeks
- Second learner will be taught for 6 x 1.5 hour sessions
- 19 hours of practical teaching in total
Please click here for some FAQs about the teaching practice.
The teaching programme used to support your specialist teaching practice during the Postgraduate Certificate is the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme © (DILP). This will be supplied to you during the Induction School and is included in the course fee.
Assessment for successful completion of the course is through:
- formative and summative written assignments.
- tutor monitoring and observation (by submitted DVD recording) of practical teaching and assessment.
- contributions to the discussions and topic forums on Moodle.
- a summative case study.
- Some assessment is also carried out by peer review.
There is no written examination.
Although the course includes regular assignments and weekly tasks, this method of learning provides:
- flexibility for learning in a personalised way and enables students to fit studying around personal and professional commitments.
- regular support from your tutor and the course team to help you with the postgraduate level study skills and studying on-line.
Membership of the Dyslexia Action Library is included for the duration of the course.
Please click here for our Frequently Asked Questions for the course.
Course award
Successful completion of the Certificate course will give you:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy from the University of York (taught by Dyslexia Action and validated by the University of York)
- Eligibility for Approved Teacher Status from the British Dyslexia Association (subject to minimum number of years teaching) see www.bdadyslexia.org.uk for details
- 60 CAT points at Master's level
- Eligibility for Specialist Teacher Assessment for Examination Access Arrangements on successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate and Examination Access Arrangements supplementary course on Moodle
Successful Postgraduate Certificate students may elect to continue to study for the:
- awarded on successful completion of a second year of study
- gives you eligibility for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) (subject to minimum number of years teaching) see www.bdadyslexia.org.uk for details
- gives you eligibility for a Practising Certificate.
Both the Certificate and the Diploma will enable you to be a specialist teacher in dyslexia and literacy and the whole programme must be completed within four years of initial registration for the Certificate.
Course entry requirements
- Bachelor first degree
- Relevant teaching degree or relevant professional qualification (e.g. speech science)
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS or QTLS)
- One year's teaching experience (full time equivalent)
- Good spoken and written English
- IELTS 7 for non-English mother-tongue applicants. For more information see the IELTS website www.ielts.org
Applicants who do not fulfil all the requirements above may be considered for 'special entry' if they can show they have relevant academic and professional experience. Such applicants are advised to apply in the first instance and fully explain the reasons for their application in their application statement.
- Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure is a requirement of this course for all UK-based students and the cost is included in the course fee. Please visit www.crb.gov.uk for further information.
- An offer of a place on the course is subject to satisfactory application form and statement or telephone interview.
- Confirmation of how your fees will be paid is required before you will receive the final offer of a place.
- Applicants with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
- To access our virtual learning environment, you will need a computer capable of browsing the internet.
Course venue and dates
There is a compulsory residential Induction Study School to attend before the start of the course which will give you a thorough introduction to Practical Teaching and Assessment.
The Induction will be held at The De Vere Conference Centre, Sunningdale Park, Ascot, Berkshire from 26 - 28 October 2010, which is a 30 - 40 minute drive from Heathrow Airport and Sunningdale railway station is 5 minutes away.
Course dates
- The course starting on 11 October 2010 is now FULL.
- The next course will start in February 2011 and we would advise you to apply early due to strong demand for the course. The actual course start date will be advised as soon as possible.
- There is a compulsory residential Induction Study School to attend before the start of the course which will give you a thorough introduction to Practical Teaching and Assessment. The October 2010 Induction will be held at The De Vere Conference Centre, Sunningdale Park, Ascot, Berkshire from 26 - 28 October 2010, which is a 30 - 40 minute drive from Heathrow Airport and Sunningdale railway station is 5 minutes away.
- Induction dates and details for the February 2011 course will be advised as soon as possible but will be during the UK half term school break.
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Please apply as soon as possible, places are limited.
Course fees
UK/EU students GBP 2625 + £500 (see below)
Overseas students GBP 4095 + £500
Overseas students GBP 4095 + £500
This covers all fees for tuition, accommodation and food for the 3 day induction programme, library membership and Guild membership. All fees must be paid in GBP in advance of the course start date. Students who are not sponsored and pay for themselves may pay in instalments. Click here for our fee sheet.
The government funding will cover £2400 towards the £2625 course fee. The balance of £225 will be the responsibilty of the student to pay. This charge will go towards the accommodation and subsistence costs of the compulsory residential Induction School and the provision of the Dyslexia Institute Learning Programme (DILP). The cost of the mandatory course materials is also NOT covered by the government funding. This is in the region of £500.
See here for details of who's eligible for the government funding. Please send in your application as soon as possible. See here for details on the application process.
The essential textbooks/tests required for the Postgraduate Certificate are available through the Dyslexia Action Resources Shop at a discount to registered students. All surplus income from the Dyslexia Action shop is put towards the charitable purposes of the organisation.
For details of classification as a UK/EU student and information for overseas students, please click here.
Application details
All applications can be accepted by fax or hard copy in the post. They may also be emailed if they have first been scanned as we require a signature on the form. Please allow sufficient time to complete before the application deadline.
Due to high demand, we are no longer accepting applications for our October 2010 course. You can now apply online for the February 2011 course.
Alternatively you can download the Application Form here to apply by post.
See here for details on the application process.
Contact details
Please apply as soon as possible as places are filling up fast and applications will be processed on a 'first come first served' basis.
