General

Do I have to speak Welsh to train to teach or teach in Wales?

The ability to speak Welsh is not a requirement for entry on to initial teacher training (ITT) courses in Wales. You can choose to follow courses either in English or Welsh.

There are both English and Welsh-speaking schools in Wales. In a Welsh-speaking school, the ability to teach through the medium of Welsh will normally be necessary.

At secondary level, unless you're teaching Welsh as a subject, you would not normally need to speak Welsh to teach in an English medium school. At primary level, you may need some understanding of Welsh to teach in an English medium school, depending on the specific requirements of the school or local education authority.

You should check with individual schools or LAs about their specific employment policies regarding language ability, particularly in certain areas of Wales.

How will my professional development needs be identified?

You may have only taken a short break from the profession, or have been out of teaching for a number of years. You can contact the TDA's Return to Teaching service on 0845 6000 993 for support and advice on returning to the classroom. You can also register with the Return to Teaching (RTT) Programme.

What are employment based ITT (EBITT) providers

In England, EBITT providers are partnerships of bodies such as schools, local authorities and accredited ITT providers empowered to design and deliver individual programmes of teacher training to individuals wishing to become a qualified teacher via the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), Registered Teacher Programme (RTP) and Overseas Trained Teacher Programme (OTTP).

What benefits will I bring to pupils and the school by returning?

Life experiences can help enhance your teaching, whether they are skills learned in the classroom, the boardroom or even a nursery.

“To have mature people who have done something else is very useful” − Kate Griffin, Headteacher of Greenford High School.

What courses are available in Wales for those wishing to return to teaching?

The Open University in Wales is running a 'Teach Again' course for qualified primary and secondary teachers who would like the opportunity to begin teaching in a secondary school or return to the secondary classroom. The course is designed to update skills and subject knowledge, build confidence and offers tutor support and experience at a local secondary school. For further information contact Trevor Scott at the Faculty of Education and Languages, the Open University in Wales, Cardiff – Tel: 029 2039 7911; E-mail: j.t.scott@open.ac.uk.

• Basic requirements
• A choice of schools
• Looking for a job
• Return to teaching 

Where can I find more information about initial teacher training (ITT) in Wales?

You can find details of ITT in Wales, including the institutions providing teacher training programmes, by visiting www.teachertrainingwales.org

Will I be welcomed back to teaching?

As a former teacher, you bring with you valuable life and work experience. These skills can be transferred and used on your return to teaching.

Schools generally like to have a balance of more experienced teachers as well as newly qualified teachers, so you should find that your teaching skills are still very valued and relevant.

You will also be able to incorporate any skills and life experiences you have acquired whilst taking a break. These are often considered an asset by schools across the country.

Ways of returning popular questions

Please see the Returning to teaching page