Federica Citro
Secondary PGCE Modern Languages
It can be challenging moving to a new city and country. What tips would you give a new PGCE student moving to Nottingham from a different country to help them settle in a new environment?
Starting from scratch: moving to a different country and beginning a new life can seem daunting, especially when it’s challenging to transplant your routines and habits into a new environment. However, it’s essential to make the most of it and embrace every opportunity.
When I first arrived in Nottingham, I set three main rules for myself: walk around the city a lot, find a few favourite places (cafes, bookstores, pubs) and visit them regularly, and meet as many people as possible.
One of the things that boosted my confidence in a new country was connecting with the city – by exploring different areas, streets, and parks, not only was I able to truly appreciate the city, but I always knew where I was and eventually established some weekly or daily routines.
Meeting new people was another crucial step. Nottingham offers a wide range of social groups and clubs, from language exchange programmes to social jogging teams – you just have to choose which one you prefer!
Bonus tip: if you’re moving to a different country, consider joining a few Facebook groups. You’ll likely find many people in the same situation who would be more than happy to meet new friends!
Schools are different across the world. What surprised you most about schools in Nottingham? What advice would you offer PGCE students who have been educated in a different country so that they can begin to understand the schools in Nottingham?
What surprised me most about schools in Nottingham is how varied the lessons are. In Italy, most subjects are theory-based, with a strong focus on learning before doing. However, here, there is a significant emphasis on practice. Schools in Nottingham actively involve students in the learning process, seamlessly alternating between theoretical learning and practical application. I found this approach particularly fascinating and interesting to experiment with.
My advice for students who have been educated abroad is to observe as much as possible during both your teaching practice placements. No two schools in Nottingham are the same, so the more you observe, the better you'll understand the system: pay close attention to the details, watching both pupils and teachers, even outside your specific subject area.
The PGCE is a demanding course and you are required to juggle a lot of different things. How did you manage to stay on top of everything? What advice would you give others?
The PGCE is widely recognised as a demanding course that requires a significant time investment. Balancing university assignments with school responsibilities can be quite challenging, so in order to stay on top of everything, maintaining a strict organisational system is crucial. During my training, I set deadlines for myself for university work and aimed to complete tasks well in advance. This approach not only ensured a lot of time for completion but also helped avoid last-minute issues. Effective organisation is always essential for achieving a good work-life balance - while occasional setbacks are inevitable, a solid plan is going to help you keep them to a minimum. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for help - your tutors and mentors are there to help you!
All students need to build a network of support during their time on a PGCE course but this can be more challenging when you move to a new country. How did you build relationships with others, within the course, on placement and more widely during your time on the course?
As I mentioned above, the greatest difference was made by getting to know the city. Finding places I liked allowed me to meet people with similar interests, and social groups allowed me to meet people who were in the same situation as me. Your placement will also play a significant role: whether it's your mentor or fellow trainees, you'll find common ground in your passion for teaching and your subject. Additionally, building a strong bond with your peers is crucial – nobody understands you better than someone who is training with you!
Xiaolin Lai
Primary PGCE
It can be challenging moving to a new city and country. What tips would you give a new PGCE student moving to Nottingham from a different country to help them settle in a new environment?
Do some research on Nottingham - familiarise yourself with the city’s culture and history, and look into places such as universities, museums, parks, city centres, libraries, and popular student areas. Websites, travel guides and Google Maps can be very helpful.
Sort out your accommodation - arrange your accommodation in advance, try to live somewhere closer to where you will be studying and where you can easily connect with transportation and local amenities such as supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, and other essential services.
Explore the city - take some time to explore Nottingham. Visit landmarks/famous places, such as Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park and Newstead Abbey. Explore local parks, restaurants, city centres and student-friendly areas to get a feel of the city. When you feel like you’ve explored enough, try to take trips to nearby towns and cities to get a broader experience of the UK.
Make the most of the university resources - look into orientation programmes, student support services, and international student offices/websites. These can provide valuable information and support. Don’t hesitate to ask for help - university tutors and professors are the people you can definitely go to if you ever need help. They are always keen to help and provide guidance, either for well-being or academic support.
Stay connected with family and friends - keep in touch regularly with family and friends back home, a video call to home helps with homesickness a lot!
Socialise and network - be open to making new friends and embrace the different cultures. Join clubs, societies, and student groups are great ways to meet new people, make friends, and build a support network.
Health and well-being - remember to register with a doctor and familiarise yourself with the healthcare system in the UK. Most importantly, take care of your own mental health by seeking support if you feel overwhelmed.
Self-care - develop a personal hobby that you either enjoy doing alone or with people, such as going to the gym, jogging, hiking, reading books, watching films and taking up a sport.
Schools are different across the world. What surprised you most about schools in Nottingham? What advice would you offer PGCE students who have been educated in a different country so that they can begin to understand the schools in Nottingham?
Moving to a new country and adapting to a different school system can be quite an adventure. When I first encountered schools in the UK, I was struck by several differences that took some getting used to.
Firstly, in primary schools, there is only one class teacher to teach all the different subjects across the National Curriculum. However, if you’re doing part-time teaching, there are a maximum of two class teachers. Teaching different subjects by only one teacher is a very challenging task as it is a huge difference from my home country - one teacher teaches one subject.
Secondly, there are various types of schools - state, academies, and independent, each with their own unique way of operation.
Finally, the structure of the school system with distinct year groups and key stages.
The curriculum and assessment methods also stood out. The National Curriculum, with its prescribed subjects and content, was something I had to dive into and understand quickly. The main assessments are Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) for primary schools and GCSEs for secondary schools, which were quite different from what I was used to.
Most schools here have well-defined behaviour policies, and there's a strong focus on pastoral care, ensuring students' emotional and social development alongside their academic progress.
To any PGCE students moving to the UK from another country, I’d offer a few pieces of advice based on my own experiences.
First, take the time to learn the National Curriculum inside out. Understanding the key stages and subjects you’ll be teaching is very crucial. Observing experienced teachers can provide invaluable insights into various teaching methods and classroom management techniques. Reflecting on these observations will help you continually improve. Engaging with the school community is also essential. Building positive relationships with your mentors, colleagues, pupils, and parents can make a world of difference. Participate actively in staff meetings and professional development training to grasp school policies and practices better. Moreover, understanding and addressing the diverse needs of students is very important, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. You’ll often find yourself in a pastoral role, supporting your pupils’ overall well-being, not just their academic learning.
Furthermore, cultural sensitivity goes a long way. Respecting and accommodating the diverse backgrounds of your students will help create an inclusive classroom environment.
The PGCE is a demanding course and you are required to juggle a lot of different things. How did you manage to stay on top of everything? What advice would you give others?
One of the most crucial skills I developed was effective time management. I found it helpful to create a detailed schedule that included all my university sessions, assignment deadlines, teaching practices, different events and personal activities. Using a digital calendar, both digital and physical planners/notebooks and even posted notes to break down tasks into manageable chunks and setting specific times for each activity ensured I stayed organised and met all my deadlines.
Prioritising tasks based on their importance and urgency also made a big difference. Keeping everything organised was another key strategy. I set up dedicated folders for both university and placements in my laptops, to keep all my resources, assignments and planning in order. Maintaining a clean and orderly workspace physically and digitally also made it easier to focus and reduced stress.
Never hesitate to seek support when needed. I found it incredibly helpful to communicate regularly with my mentors, colleagues and university tutor for feedback and guidance. Building a support network with fellow PGCE students also provided a sense of mutual support, you might make life-long friends in the course!
Maintaining a work-life balance was absolutely crucial. Having regular breaks, staying active, and setting aside time for hobbies and relaxation helped me recharge. I set myself a boundary by having at least one day a week not thinking about anything related to work and study to refresh myself. I also find connecting with family and friends to blow off steam really helps. PGCE is an extremely demanding course, so remember, it’s essential to take care of your mental and physical health to avoid burnout.
Lastly, being flexible and adaptable was key. Unexpected challenges and changes are part of the journey for PGCE, so being open to adjusting plans and finding alternative solutions helped me stay resilient. Keeping a positive attitude and reminding myself of my long-term goals kept me motivated.
All students need to build a network of support during their time on a PGCE course but this can be more challenging when you move to a new country. How did you build relationships with others, within the course, on placement and more widely during your time on the course?
Within the course, I would say joining study groups with fellow PGCE students was incredibly helpful. We supported each other academically and became good friends, as we were all in the same boat and understood the unique challenges we were facing.
Engaging actively in university sessions, seminars, and discussions to share ideas, and participating in group work also helped me connect with peers and tutors.
On placements, I found establishing a good relationship with my mentors was crucial. We regularly discussed my progress and challenges, which not only improved my teaching practice but also built a strong professional bond. Actively attending staff meetings, seeking support from colleagues and participating in wider school events and activities, allowed me to interact with other teachers and learn from their experiences. More widely, joining professional networks and teaching unions for educators provided opportunities to meet other teachers, attend workshops, and stay updated with the latest in the field. These platforms were great for sharing resources and advice.