Work Integrated Learning

Teaching Practice placements take place in a compulsory education setting during conventional school hours. Participants are expected to remain on the school grounds for the entire school day throughout the whole teaching practice period.

Participants employed outside of the educational sector need to make the necessary vacation leave arrangements to ensure that they are available for the whole duration of the teaching practice period. It is to be noted that although teaching practice placements fall within different academic years, two (2) teaching practice placements might fall within one (1) calendar year. Depending on the programme followed, this could mean a total of fifteen (15) weeks.

The IfE is not responsible for any remuneration offered to participants during the teaching practice period. Any applicable remuneration is offered at the discretion of the employer. Course participants are encouraged to enquire with their employer in this regard. Further information may be found here.

How long is a teaching practice?

For a summary of the length of teaching practice for each program, please visit our work-integrated learning page.

I am already a supply teacher in the subject/area of specialisation that I wish to follow. Can I do my teaching practice with my own class?

Yes, this is possible though you will need to provide the Institute with a timetable of your teaching workload to assure that you have a sufficient number of lessons each week with a suitable class. For further information please visit our work-integrated learning page.

If I do not have a suitable class to conduct my teaching practice, will the Institute for Education provide me with one?

Yes, the Institute for Education will assist in assigning you a class for the Teaching Practice period.

This is done in liaison with the Educational Resource Department at the Ministry for Education and Employment. The assigned school is according to their exigencies and outside the control of the Institute for Education.

When will I be informed of my school placement?

The Institute for Education will inform you of your school placement as soon as the Educational Resources Department have made the necessary arrangements with the College Principal and Head of School where you will be placed.

Participants are generally informed at least two-weeks prior to the teaching practice commencing. Where possible, you will then have the first week of Teaching Practice to observe the regular class teacher and acquaint yourself with the students and classroom environment.

I am not a supply teacher. Will the Institute for Education make arrangements with my employer for me to conduct Teaching Practice?

No. It is the responsibility of the participant to assure that they are available to follow the teaching practice component(s). It is advised you discuss options available with your employer upon acceptance to the programme.

How is the Teaching Practice assessed?

This component is assessed by teaching practice visitors who conduct classroom observations and support your development further through feedback and recommendations on practice. You will also be assessed on a Teaching Practice file, which needs to be kept up-to-date throughout the period.

Micro-Placements

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning integrates knowledge and theory learned with practical application that is, course participants will be undertaking placements within the industry in order to gain different experiences, outside of the classroom. These placements, also called Micro-Placements will be undertaken annually during July.

What are Micro-Placements?

Micro-placements are an opportunity for course participants to gain first-hand experiences within the industry which is different to that of the classrooms. These placements normally involve short-term projects. For contributors hosting the Micro-Placement, it is to be noted that these placements are non-remunerated. These placements will be taking place annually during July.

What is the purpose of the Micro-Placements modules at IfE?

The Experiential Learning process gives an opportunity for prospective educators to get a different experience from that of the classroom. It is an opportunity to work within the industry in placements, which are structured, short-term and supervised and are often focused on particular tasks or short-term projects.

Can I do my Micro-Placement at a school or in the school that I am currently working at?

No Micro-Placements cannot be held with the school/classroom/educational institution settings.

Are there any guidelines on how to choose a contributor?

We always recommend that course participants choose a Micro-placement in an area of their particular interests. However, Course Participants following a specific subject stream must choose a Micro-Placement related to their area of study.

How long is duration of the Micro-Placement?

Within the Bachelor of Education, the Micro-Placement module carries six (6) ECTS.

For the 2018-2021 cohorts, the micro-placement consists of 80 hours of training placement.

For the updated Bachelor’s programme Cohort 2021 onwards, the micro-placement consists of 90 hours of training placement.

Please refer to the following link for further information on the programme.

Within the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Conversion) programme, the module carries 10 ECTS and is a maximum of 180 hours of training placement.

As an award at MQF level 7 the module carries 10 ECTS a and it is a maximum of 180 hours of training placement.

Who are the course participants mentioned in the Micro-Placement procedures?

The course participants are students following programmes and awards at the IfE.

Who are the contributors mentioned in the Micro-Placement Procedures?

The contributors are Micro-Placement providers who are willing to take course participants within their workplace. Types of possible contributors would be: employers, NGOs, the tourism industry, private organisations, Local Councils, the public sector and public services.

What is the process to become a Contributor?

Fill in our short online application available at:

Once this is submitted to IfE, it is reviewed, and an on-site visit will be scheduled at the work place to get an idea of what our course participants would experience during their placement. This visit should take approximately an hour.

After the on-site visit, a decision will be taken by the Experiential Learning Board to start promoting the contributor on the IfE’s webpage: Contributor’s List.

For further information please refer to our webpage dedicated to contributors.

Detailed information may also be found within the Micro-Placement: Contributors’ Handbook.

Are there any costs incurred in hosting course participants placements?

The Micro-Placement does not incur any charges/fees on the contributor. The learning agreement stipulates that placements are unpaid therefore the learner is not entitled to wages or compensation for the time spent at the contributor. Furthermore, this agreement is based on an educational programme and there is no guarantee or commitment which will result into employment.

How can a participant seek a contributor?

Course participants are encouraged to find their own placement as this will ensure that the experience provided will meet their expectations. The following steps should be undertaken when seeking contributors:

- The course participant shall seek a contributor where to undertake the placement.
- The course participant shall contact the contributor to check whether they are listed on the Contributor’s list on the IfE’s webpage.
- IfE recommends that course participants prepare their CVs and covering letters prior to contacting the contributor.
- If the contributor is listed on the IfE’s website, the course participant shall fill in the interest form (after making contact and agreeing with the contributors that they will be holding their placement at the workplace), indicating clearly the name of the organisation where the placement is going to be held, the working days and hours, the commencement and ended date of the placement.
- If the organisation chosen by the course participant is not on the contributors’ list, then the course participant shall ask the contributor to fill in the contributors’ form.
- Once the contributor fills in and submits the form, IfE shall vet the contributor and do the necessary checks for the contributor to be listed on the IfE’s webpage.
- Once the contributor is listed on the IfE’s webpage, the course participant shall fill in the interest form, and await further instructions from IfE.

For further information please refer to our webpage dedicated to Course Participants.

Detailed information may also be found within the Micro-Placement: Course Participant Handbook.

Does the IfE monitor the course participants’ placement?

Yes. IfE representatives, known as Micro-Placement Visitors, shall visit the course participants up to two times during their placements.

Is the Micro-Placement graded?

No. Micro-Placement Visitors will be provided with a checklist, which will be used to guide course participants in enhancing their skills and competences.

How is the Micro-Placement Module assessed?

The module is assessed through a reflective journal outlining the experience gained and the application of inquiry-based techniques.