Advanced Certificate in Foundation Phase Teaching
Education, Training and Development - Early Childhood Development
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Foundation Phase Teaching is to guide learners towards developing specialised knowledge, skills and competencies, particularly in problem-solving. This will enable them to address teaching and learning challenges commonly found in foundation phase education. Learners will also gain a deeper understanding of values that contribute to the holistic development of foundation phase learners and the teaching profession.
The curriculum aims to equip foundation phase teachers with the necessary expertise to teach Grade R to Grade 3 students effectively. It combines pedagogical and practical learning to enhance teachers' ability to work with young learners and improve their teaching methods both theoretically and practically.
The scope of the qualification covers teaching methods that emphasize learning through play, enhancing physical coordination, developing language proficiency, and establishing foundational numeracy and literacy skills essential for formal education in Grade R to Grade 3. Additionally, teachers will specialize in teaching all four subjects (Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, and Life Skills) by drawing on a wide range of knowledge to support the national school curriculum.
Teachers in the foundation phase need specialized knowledge of early childhood education to teach literacy, numeracy, and fundamental skills that pave the way for future learning. They must be able to identify learning barriers early and effectively differentiate curriculum content to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences.
Rationale:
The Department of Higher Education and Training emphasizes the importance of teachers continuously developing their careers and improving their teaching practices to ensure quality education delivery. The Department of Basic Education acknowledges that many teachers lack subject expertise or may desire to teach different subjects or in alternative school phases. Therefore, teachers with existing qualifications must engage in professional development programs to deepen their subject knowledge, enhance their qualifications, or retrain for new teaching roles to invigorate their careers.
The Advanced Certificate in Foundation Phase Teaching is a valuable qualification that enables teachers to advance their academic pursuits, while also fostering personal and social well-being.
Outcomes
- Detailed knowledge of key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories related to foundation phase teaching and how to apply the knowledge to enable effective teaching strategies and methods consonant with the foundation phase context.
- Effectively and ethically organises, manages and teaches a class at foundation phase level.
- Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the development and learning of children.
- Monitor own learning progress and apply relevant learning strategies to realise all the outcomes of this qualification.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Discussing and applying terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories related to foundation phase teaching for effective teaching and learning strategies.
- Applying knowledge of a classroom situation during practical and situational teaching.
- Discussing, comparing, and evaluating the origin and content of different schools of thought in foundation phase teaching.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Discussing learning content, strategies, problems, and possible solutions in the foundation phase classroom with learners and relevant stakeholders.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Understanding and applying theories on child development and learning (0-9 years).
- Taking into account the child's psychosocial and socio-political context of development when teaching.
- Applying an inclusive approach to identify learning problems related to barriers to learning.
- Identifying challenges experienced in foundation phase education in South Africa in different educational contexts.
- Discussing, evaluating, and implementing possible solutions for the identified challenges.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Evaluating the effectiveness of own learning strategies.
- Developing different strategies to improve learning to realize outcomes.
- Identifying and applying important principles of effective communication in a written assignment.
- Applying respect for intellectual property conventions and rules to avoid plagiarism in written and verbal formats.
- Submitting assignments that adhere to all academic conventions.
Integrated Assessment:
- Utilizing appropriate, continuous formative and summative assessment activities within an outcomes-based higher education environment.
- Ensuring assessment and moderation procedures are applicable to all teaching and learning qualifications within the Faculty.
- Formulating qualification and module outcomes clearly according to the level descriptors and communicating them correctly to learners.
- Adhering to NQF Level 6 requirements for assessment instruments' appropriateness, validity, and reliability.
- Incorporating formative assessment through individual written assignments and summative assessments through written examinations.
- Including at least one opportunity for integrated assessment in each module for assessing the main objective and key purpose of the qualification.
- Providing the opportunity for applying knowledge and skills in practical teaching situations through the WIL module.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Certificate
- NQF Level
- 06
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.