Teaching Practice

The Institute for Education provides work-integrated learning experiences to its course participants following qualifications specialised in teacher education which primarily focus on preparing future educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach in primary or secondary schools. As part of these qualifications course participants are provided with an opportunity to integrate classroom theory with practical experiences in a real-world educational setting. Therefore, the programmes offered by the IfE serve to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in the programmes and their application in real classrooms. Course Participants have the opportunity to translate pedagogical theories and instructional strategies into practical teaching experiences.

The Teaching practice places course participants in authentic work environments, namely primary or secondary schools, where they interact with students, collaborate with colleagues, and engage with the school community. This exposure allows course participants to experience the realities of teaching and understand the context in which their future profession operates. The teaching practice involves active engagement in classroom teaching. Course participants will gradually assume teaching responsibilities, including lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management. Therefore, course participants gain practical experience by applying teaching strategies and techniques learned in the programmes. Course participants are expected to engage in reflective practices throughout the duration of their teaching so as to identify strengths and areas for improvement and engage in self-evaluation. This reflection helps them refine their teaching strategies and enhance their professional growth.

A summary of the below Teaching Practice information can be accessed through this link.

Time Frame and Logistics of the Teaching Practice

TIME FRAME & LOGISTICS

o The Teaching Practice is a FULL-TIME component
o It takes place in a compulsory education setting.
o It is during compulsory school hours – Monday to Friday for the whole school day.
o PART-TIME Teaching during teaching practice is only allowed if a prospective student is already employed in a school on a part-time basis.
o Participants are expected to remain on the school grounds for the entire school day throughout the whole teaching practice period.
o The IfE is not responsible for any remuneration offered to participants during the teaching practice period..
o Teaching Practice Placements in Gozo are not guaranteed.

What do you need to consider if you are already employed in the Education Sector?

TO CONSIDER IF ALREADY EMPLOYED IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

o If already employed as LSEs/ KGEs, discuss with your Head of School, as you will be required to change school for your teaching practice.

o If employed at a church/ independent school please check with your Head of School that the workload and timetable requirements, found in the checklist below, can be met. If these cannot be met, you will be required to do your placement at a different school.

o If already employed as a supply teacher, please check with your Head of School that the workload and timetable requirements can be met. If these cannot be met, you will be required to do your placement at a different school.

What do you need to consider if you are NOT employed in the Education Sector?

TO CONSIDER IF NOT EMPLOYED IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

o Course participants shall be aware that IfE will be liaising with MEYR for their Teaching Practice placement.

o Participants employed outside 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 (on a full-time basis).

o It is to be noted that although 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 practice placement in a year.

REQUIREMENTS: QUALIFICATION LEADING TO B.ED. & M.ED. PRIMARY

o Course participants following B.Ed. (Hons) Primary or M.Ed. Primary are expected to deliver the full timetable of a regular class teacher of a Primary school. No subject teaching is permitted during the teaching practice period. The subjects to be covered are: Mathematics, English, Maltese, Social Studies, Religion, Science, Physical Education and Art/Arts & Crafts.

o During teaching practice course participants are expected to deliver lessons for Arts/Arts & Crafts, Science, and Physical Education (P.E.), subject to school regulations.

o If a peripatetic subject teacher is going to deliver one of these peripatetic subjects: Arts/Arts & Crafts, Music, Dance, Drama, Science, Ethics, P.E., or ICT, the course participant on placement must ensure that they participate in class and support the teacher during these lessons, subject to school regulations.

REQUIREMENTS: QUALIFICATION LEADING TO B.ED. & M.ED. – SUBJECT SPECIALISATION

o Secondary/Vocational Education course participants are expected to be teaching the subject that they are studying as part of the qualification. The minimum workload is that of 15 lessons (weekly).

o Course participants following a qualification in Art, Drama, Physical Education, Music, Ethics, PSCD are to note that during the whole course/programme they will have one teaching practice in a Primary School and one teaching practice in a Secondary School setting.

Assessment of the Teaching Practice

This component is assessed by practice visitors who conduct classroom observations and support the course participants’ development through feedback and recommendations on practice. Course participants will also be assessed on a Teaching Practice file/Practicum documentation, which needs to be kept up-to-date throughout the placement period.

Recognition of the qualifications for the teaching profession

Teaching Practice is a vital component of initial teacher training programmes as it provides an opportunity for the learners to put theory into practice and to self-reflect on teaching and assessment methods employed in the classroom. Furthermore, this module is an integral part of the programme which will also contribute towards partially fulfilling the requirements outlined by the Council for the Teaching Profession (CTP) with respect to applications for a teacher’s warrant.

If you’re interested in obtaining a permanent warrant for the Teaching Profession, you’ll need to contact the CTP. This regulatory body oversees the teaching profession in Malta, and they can provide you with information on the necessary requirements for access. It is worth noting that while the IfE is a recognized awarding body for teaching degrees, the council for the teaching profession is responsible for granting access and warrant to employment within the field.

Duration of the Teaching practice

Bachelor of Education (Hons)

The Bachelor of Education (Hons) includes three teaching practices throughout the four-year programme duration that are normally structured as follows:

Year of Studies	TP Period	Duration of TP period*
First Year	February – March	6 weeks
Second Year	November – December	6 weeks
Third Year	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Fourth Year	November – December	6 weeks

*Throughout the duration of the teaching practice placement, participants are expected to have a minimum weekly load of 15 lessons – applicable for a secondary school placement or for peripatetic teachers placed in a primary school setting; or a full load for participants placed within a primary classroom, teaching all the subjects normally taught in a primary school setting.

Master of Education

The Master of Education includes two teaching practices throughout the three-year programme duration that are normally structured as follows:

Year of Studies	TP Period	Duration of TP period*
First Year	February – March	7 weeks
Second Year	October/November – December	7 weeks
Third Year	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

*Throughout the duration of the teaching practice placement, participants are expected to have a minimum weekly load of 15 lessons – applicable for a secondary school placement or for peripatetic teachers placed in a primary school setting; or a full load for participants placed within a primary classroom, teaching all the subjects normally taught in a primary school setting.

Master of Education Teaching Students with Disabilities

The Master of Education Teaching Students with Disabilities includes two teaching practices throughout the three-year programme duration that are normally structured as follows:

Year of Studies	TP Period	Duration of TP period*
First Year	February – March	6/7 weeks
Second Year	November – December	6/7 weeks
Third Year	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

For further information on the Teaching Practice, kindly visit this link.