Teaching at Otago: Real experiences
Hear from Otago students as they share their experiences studying teaching – classroom learning, hands-on placements, and the support that makes the College of Education special.
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I chose Otago because it’s nice and close to home. I can still ... [interview interrupted by children] ... Thank you. Cool, would you better look after it for a minute? I just got to do this video, and then I’ll be able to come find it with you.
Kia ora, my name is Kane Johnson. My name is Erica Kormack. Talofa lava my name is Sami Seao. Hi, I am Alisha de Courcey, I am a third-year student doing a Bachelor in Teaching endorsed in Primary Education. I think the really great thing about the College of Education as that the lecturers are always available for you, so you can go and ask for help or guidance or anything really. I think that’s what makes the College of Education really special.
The Te Pōkai unit is an opportunity for anybody to be part of. Whether you’re to iwi, you're Māori or Pacifica, it doesn’t matter. It’s not just about speaking Māori, it’s about the concepts and ideals behind it and getting you a better world view, I guess, of te ao Māori, and how we can incorporate that. It’s something to be celebrated and not afraid of.
The early childhood programme involves a bit of class time, which is lectures, tutorials and workshops. You do that usually about four days a week. Then you get put in an early childhood center, and yeah, that’s sort of when you get to put into practice everything you’ve learned in class. Ah, good work!
Placement’s been awesome. I find that I’ve been learning a lot more very quickly in my time here. And also it's been good pairing up with teachers, with mentor teachers, to help us who are quite young in the profession, quite fresh, to be able to practice and develop our pedagogies too.
Once you get into the school and you’re in the class environment, you really realize why you’re doing the degree. The kids absolutely love having student teachers is – it gives you a chance to experience life as a teacher. You see how busy it is but also also how amazing it is, especially when you see students make progress or you realise that you have a really cool impact on their life.
Can’t speak highly enough of our lecturers and the support that we get, and also from the students that you are working alongside as well. You are building that sense of whanau and getting each other through.
In terms of the lecturers, they are very helpful, very informative, very knowledgeable people, and it’s awesome to know that if we are struggling that we are able to approach them on a more pastoral conversation. That’s very comforting and very reassuring for a student who’s not from here.
There wasn’t ever really another option to me. I always wanted to come to Otago. With the OUSA and their events and things like that, it brings you into the whole Dunedin experience I think.
[Conversing with a child as the video fades out].
Primary Education at Otago
Individuals with an interest in, and enthusiasm for, children and their learning should apply.
Primary Education is an endorsement (specialisation) option for the qualifications listed below.
For more information see College of Education – Study Primary Education
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Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Year | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
1st year | Education Studies | |
EDUC 101 Education and Society | 18 | |
EDUC 102 Human Development | 18 | |
Curriculum Studies | ||
EDCR 131 English and Mathematics 1 | 18 | |
EDCR 133 Health and Physical Education | 18 | |
EDCR 135 Introduction to the New Zealand Curriculum & Social Sciences | 18 | |
Professional Experience | ||
EDPR 131 Te Weu | 18 | |
Māori Studies | ||
MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori | 18 | |
Total points | 126 | |
2nd year | Education Studies | |
EDUC 252 How People Learn | 18 | |
Curriculum Studies | ||
EDCR 220 Te Ohoka Ake | 18 | |
EDCR 231 English and Mathematics 2 | 18 | |
EDCR 232 Science and Technology | 18 | |
EDCR 233 Visual Arts and Music | 18 | |
EDCR 235 Dance and Drama | 18 | |
Professional Experience | ||
EDPR 231 Te Aka and Learning Languages | 18 | |
Total points | 126 | |
3rd year | Education Studies | |
EDUC 313 Equity in Education | 18 | |
Curriculum Studies | ||
EDCR 331 English and Mathematics 3 | 18 | |
EDCR 332 Local Curriculum and Integration | 18 | |
EDCR 334 English and Mathematics 4 | 18 | |
Professional Experience | ||
EDPR 331 Te Puāwaitanga 1 | 18 | |
EDPR 333 Te Puāwaitanga 2 | 18 | |
Total points | 108 | |
Total | 360 |
Note: With approval, students with evidence of equivalent prior knowledge, may substitute an approved Māori language paper (worth at least 18 points) for MAOR 110.
Students who first enrolled in 2022 or earlier will normally complete the programme under the regulations in force when they first enrolled.
Papers
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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