POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA
Pre-Service Early Years (KG1&2) and Primary
Overview
The Pre-Service Early Years (KG1&2) and Primary PGD is a 28-credit program designed for aspiring Early Years (KG1 &2) and Primary teachers who have limited teaching experience to teach in school settings. Through this program, students will build practical, theoretical, and research-informed knowledge and understandings related to teachings, classroom inquiry and self-reflection approaches to development of their practical teaching repertoire, and will synthesize practical, theoretical, and research knowledge to advance the quality of support they provide for the children they teach. The Professional Practice Placement Early Years and Primary is a crucial component of the program. Throughout their placement, interns will make links between theory, practice, and research, engage in reflections, and access understandings of the practical wisdom and pedagogic content knowledge of experienced teachers at their placement schools.
SIGNATURE PEDAGOGIES PROMOTED THROUGH THE PROGRAM
- Learn how apply and adapt innovative pedagogies that promote independent learning including play-based learning, assessment for learning, dialogic teaching, and promoting metacognition.
- Bridging theory, research, practice, and values
- Strong practice focus
- School-based learning experiences at partner schools
- Support from a school-based mentor and University mentor
PROGRAM GOALS
The Pre-Service Early Years (KG1&2) and Primary PGD aims to support interns learn to teach by:
- Developing and critically reflecting on authoritative educational theories of learning, assessment and human development, and synthesizing theory with practice related to planning and developing classroom pedagogy and assessment.
- Developing and critically reflecting on knowledge and understandings from educational research into effective learning, teaching and assessment, and synthesizing research understandings with practice related to planning and developing classroom pedagogy and assessment.
- Critically reflecting on the pedagogical content knowledge of experienced teachers to adapt this knowledge for planning and practice related to developing effective classroom pedagogy and assessment.
- Developing in depth understandings of the learning practices and progression of pupils for informing planning and practice related to developing effective classroom pedagogy and assessment.
- Using, developing, experimenting with and critically evaluating a range of effective classroom strategies appropriate to different learning purposes.
- Using, developing, experimenting with and critically evaluating a range of discipline strategies for maintaining an orderly and positive classroom environment.
- Developing in-depth theoretical and practical understandings of the social and learning characteristics of pupils with special educational needs and responding effectively to them.
- Developing knowledge and understanding to undertake pastoral responsibilities of a teacher.
- Engaging in continuing professional growth through critical evaluation and self-reflection on aspects of practice, and own thinking to advance professional identity.
DURATION OF THE PROGRAM
A 1-year program offered full time over three terms.
MODE OF DELIVERY
The Pre-service program is offered in a blended learning model, offering candidates flexibility through a balanced online learning (48% online and 52% face-to-face classes). Classes are taught from Sunday to Thursday.
Admission Requirements
- Degree Requirement:
- A Baccalaureate/Bachelor’s degree in Education, Math, Science, English, or Literacy from an accredited university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- Applicants with a degree from outside the UAE must provide a certificate of equivalency from the UAE Ministry of Education.
- English Proficiency:
- An IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent TOEFL score of 530 - (197 CBT, 71 IBT).
Contact Graduate Admission Office:
Recruitment Office:
Email: Student.Recruitment@ecae.ac.ae
Office: (+971) 02 5099838
Admissions Office:
Email: admissions@ecae.ac.ae
Office: (+971) 02 5099 833
Program Structure
TERM 1
- EDUEYP1 - Practice and Theory in Early Years & Primary Teaching and Learning
- EDUEYP2 - Knowing the Early Years and Primary School Learners
- EDUPPPEYP1 - Professional Practice Placement- Early Years & Primary (PPP EYP) 1: From exposure to participation in the life of classrooms and schools
TERM 2
- EDUEYP3 - English Language and Literacy in Early Years
- EDUEYP4 - Integrated Mathematics and Science I in Early Years
- EDUPPPEYP2 - Professional Practice Placement- Early Years & Primary (PPP EYP) 2: Growing responsibility for the planning, conduct, and evaluation of classroom lessons
TERM 3
- EDUEYP5 - English Language and Literacy in Grades 1-4
- EDUEYP6 - Integrated Mathematics and Science II in Grades 1-4
- EDUPPPEYP3 - Professional Practice Placement- Early Years & Primary (PPP EYP) 3: Growing sense of professional membership as a practicing teacher
