Programme Details
Primary Teaching Programme
The Teachers’ Institute’s Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching is a one-year, full-time programme leading to New Zealand teacher registration. It features a unique mode of delivery, with all trainees based in a home school for the year where they are fully engaged in all aspects of school life.
Trainees are partnered with a mentor teacher or teachers and will gradually take on more responsibility for classes as the year progresses.
Train to be a Primary School Teacher with The Teachers' Institute and you'll spend your entire training year in the classroom, working with rangitahi and applying theory as you learn it. Find out about our enrolment process.
What's
Involved
Workshops
The in-school experience will be complemented by a series of 2-3 day weekly workshops and block courses, where trainees from across the TTI network will come together to build their knowledge of effective teaching practice.
Away Practicum
All trainees will complete 40 days of “away practicum” to experience working and teaching in other schools. This assists in developing professional relationships with other educators and prospective employers.
Courses and
Instructional Design
You’ll complete five credit-bearing courses plus a Te Reo Māori course (no credits). Course materials are online, with in-person workshops to practice and refine new teaching strategies. Assessments are spread throughout the year and align with real classroom tasks.
Throughout the year, students will complete 5 for-credit courses as well as a non-credited course in Te Reo Māori.
Teaching and Learning
35 Points
Explores the research on how we learn and the pedagogical principles, teaching practices and strategies that promote learning. Particular attention is paid to adolescent development, how this influences the teaching-learning process and how to structure teaching and learning to support all students including those who are neurodivergent and/or have special educational needs.
Assessment
20 Points
Critically engage with the research on effective assessment practice and apply this to their teaching practice, with reference to relevant policy documents, by undertaking and evaluating the impact of different formative assessment practices, feedback approaches, and summative assessment.
Creating Supportive
Learning Environments
25 Points
Explores the research literature and its practical application on how to create supportive learning environments that are inclusive of and responsive to all students and maximise the opportunity to learn. Particular attention will be paid to culturally sustaining approaches to teaching and to developing strong relationships with Māori ākonga (students).
Curriculum
20 Points
Examines the research and associated practices of effective curriculum design and implementation, encompassing long-term, mid-term, and short-term design. Different streams of this course will explore the intricacies and application of curriculum design and implementation in specific subjects.
Final Integrated Assessment
20 Points
Draws together the research and practice from across the other four courses to focus on the integrated nature of teaching and learning and the role that continuous improvement through reflection and inquiry plays in a teacher’s professional practice.
Te Reo Māori
non-credited
Online course, workshop and assessment matched to trainee level.
Course Start Date
18 January 2027*TBC
Level
8
Trainee Fees
Delivery
In-person
Bursary
Paid to each trainee
Duration
1 year full-time
