FAQ about DTLLS

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ DTLLS 

Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)

What is DTLLS?

DTLLS is the acronym for the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong learning Sector. It may be offered to pre-service and in-service candidates on a part-time or full-time basis and is awarded at level 5 upon completion. The diploma meets the qualification requirements for the full teaching role. It comprises level 4 (part one) and level 5 (part two) mandatory units and optional units. The total minimum credit value required of this qualification is 120 credits on the QCF.

Candidates may carry forward credits and receive accreditation of prior learning (APL) for the PTLLS unit or Award and the Planning and enabling learning unit within CTLLS if previously achieved.

How much teaching practice is required?

Candidates are required to undertake a minimum of 150 hours teaching practice. This time falls into candidates’ non-contact hours within the programme, and excludes micro-teaching or teaching practice completed as part of the PTLLS unit within CTLLS, or PTLLS Award if the unit has been completed discretely. Practice completed for the theory assessment at either level 3 or level 4 for the Planning and enabling learning unit is also excluded. Full guidance is provided in the qualification handbook.

Does teaching practice have to be completed with the same group of learners?

No. Candidates may deliver their teaching practice across a range of cohorts.

What is the observation requirement?

Candidates must be observed for at least eight hours over a minimum of eight occasions of their 150 teaching practice hours. Each observation must be for a minimum of 30 minutes and must be in the candidate’s place of work. Observations should be throughout the duration of the programme. It is recommended that most observations would be for a minimum of one hour.

Teaching observation excludes observed practice completed as part of the PTLLS unit within DTLLS, or PTLLS Award if the unit has been completed discretely. The theory assessment in the Planning and enabling learning unit at level 3 or level 4, and mentor observations are also excluded.

Is a teaching practice portfolio required?

Yes. Only one teaching practice portfolio is required across the full programme. The portfolio should be a concise log of teaching practice undertaken and should include a candidate’s log of 150 hours teaching and evidence relating to their learners, session planning, delivery and evaluation. It will include at least eight observations of their teaching by the course team for at least eight hours of their teaching in total. Full guidance is provided in the qualification handbook.

Is a reflective learning journal required?

Candidates are required to write a Reflective Learning Journal from the commencement of the programme, which encompasses their own learning and teaching practice. The journal entries must provide the basis for meeting the required assessment outcomes. Only one Reflective Learning Journal is required across the full programme.

For the PTLLS unit, candidates must complete a journal entry after each assessment task (eg task 1, task 2, task 3, etc) completed for the PTLLS theory and practical assessments and / or each session attended throughout the unit programme. Candidates are permitted to use their own journal format during the course or use the pro forma provided in the appendices of the qualification handbook.

At what stage should a learner be registered with the awarding body for DTLLS?

Candidates should be registered as near to their commencement of the programme as possible. Full details and guidance are contained in the qualification handbook.

When should a learner register with the IfL?

Candidates should register as near to their commencement of the programme as possible. Full details and guidance are available from the IfL. The Further Education Teachers' Continuing Professional Development Regulations 2007 require teachers in FE colleges to register and there will be implications for those who do not comply as they prevent employers using existing teachers not registered by 31st March 2008.

Can candidates enrol on 7305 DTLLS without having to do  PTLLS?

Yes. Candidates may complete the PTLLS unit either through the stand alone PTLLS Award, or as part of the DTLLS programme for the full teaching role.

What are the minimum qualification and level requirements to enter the programme?

Candidates should be qualified to level 3 or be able to demonstrate level 3 skills in the subject they intend to teach, have access to 150 teaching practice hours and possess reasonable levels of language, literacy, numeracy and ICT. For further guidance, refer to the qualification handbook.

Do the optional units completed for CTLLS have a credit value within the DTLLS qualifications?

Optional unit credits completed as part of the certificate may not count towards the level 5 diploma qualifications. Optional unit credits are subject to the LLUK rules of combination (ROC) which are currently being considered. More information will be made available on this shortly via the City & Guilds monthly e-updates.

At what levels are embedded functional skills required to be delivered?

Functional skills will need to be embedded at the level appropriate to the learning group. For further guidance, please contact LLUK or the National Training Organisation (NTO) for the subject area.

 


Reference:

http://www.cityandguilds.com/uk-home.html