Course details

Summary

New Zealand needs more qualified early childhood teachers with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with our young Pasifika children and their families.

Education is a dynamic and fulfilling field of study and work. This programme will expose you to national and global social issues facing communities, and challenge you to address these by exploring solutions for change.

Highlights

• Gain a specialised Pasifika education degree that qualifies you to work in both Pacific and mainstream early childhood settings.
• Gain practical experience in a variety of early childhood services and centres.
• Academic and pastoral support offered throughout your study by the Pasifika Success team at the Faculty of Education.
• Flexible study options including lecture-free days allow you to balance study with work and family commitments.
• You can apply for a TeachNZ scholarship.

What you'll learn

In the first year you will:

• Be introduced to the profession of teaching and the early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki.
• Develop your knowledge in literacy, numeracy, Pacific languages and cultures.
• Undertake your first blocks of practicum in the field.

In subsequent years you will:

• Build on the knowledge you have gained in your first year of study.
• Undertake advanced study of education and the curriculum Te Whāriki.
• Gain more practical experience in the field.

This Pasifika specialization develops your knowledge and skills in the areas of literacy, numeracy, Pacific language and culture. Many of the courses embrace the different cultures, values and heritage of Pacific people. In some courses, both English and Pacific languages are used as mediums of instruction. This programme welcomes applicants from all cultural backgrounds who have an interest in Pacific education.

Career opportunities

You will be eligible to apply for registration as a practicing teacher and to teach in a range of early childhood settings - both mainstream and Pacific - including kindergartens, crèches and early childhood centers.

This qualification will give you the opportunity to earn a salary at degree level and is a pathway to leadership and management positions.

Further study

After completing a BEd(Tchg) degree you could go on to postgraduate study to further your knowledge and skills and to enhance your career and salary opportunities.

The faculty offers a wide range of options, including:

• Bachelor of Education (Teaching) (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma of TESOL
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership
• You could then go on to study at master’s and doctoral level.

Programme structure

Encompassing 360 points and a 20-week (approx) practicum element where you will spend time observing and teaching in a range of settings.

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 7.0; TOEFL (iBT) 100; TOEFL (paper-based) 600; CAE or CPE 185; PTE 65; MELAB 90.