The options of the different levels might seem confusing but can lead to great flexibility. The first thing to say is that most of the Ptlls course is the same. The theme of the questions is the same, the content you will learn is the same. There’s no appreciable difference with the microteach or any of the forms you need to complete on the practical side. Most people would say not to sweat the difference, they make up only a tiny part of the course.
You would need to check with your provider but certainly on my course we didn’t have to “pick” from the outset, rather we just got on with whatever we felt comfortable with. If we did all the level 4 assignments but they weren’t of a level 4 standard we would get the level 3. In that sense you are as well to aim high and see what happens. Once complete both a level 3 and 4 will get you on to the next step, Ctlls.
The main differences, then:
Word count! The level three theory assignments altogether add up to a recommended word count of 1700-2500. The level four adds up to between 2400 and 3400. The practical assignments also vary in recommended word count: level 3 at 150 to 250 and level 4 at 500 to 900 in total, mostly made up of an extra essay on feedback. So you’ll be writing more on the level 4.
Analysis! This is where the depth and knowledge kicks in. T1 for example, level 3 asks you to “describe” your role whereas level 4 asks you to “review” your role. T5 level 3 asks you to “explain” and level 4 asks you to “evaluate”. It’s about going that extra mile and getting down and dirty with the question. You end up needing the bigger word count.
There’s more on the essays elsewhere. Any more ideas about the levels in Ptlls? Leave a comment or get in touch.
Hello, I have just read your article on different levels of PTLLS and am wondering if you have a definitions list of the various terms for instance the difference between ‘describe’ and ‘review’
Thank you
Hi Hazel, thanks for stopping by.
On each of the posts about the essays I look at the exact differences between the levels for that question but I had been thinking I could collect them all in to one post together, so keep an eye out for it!
Thanks, Frances
Hello there.Im stuck! I know what to write but i dont understand the way the question has been asked. What i mean is on the latest assignment 4 that I am doing, which says Defines the terms initial,diagnostic,formative and summative assessment and details when you would use these assessments,giving one concrete example for each(approx400-500words)What I am asking is, How do i do the word count of this question? I have done the count from the definitions from defining the assessments. Not sure if the question means to word count from what I am putting about my concrete examples.
Hi Liz
I don’t recognise the question but generally I think a word count is for all the words in your essay, total. Hope that helps and good luck!
Cheers, Frances
One of the big differences between level 3 and 4 is the requirement to demonstrate and reference (Harvard) wider reading at level 4.
It is important to realise that some CTLLS/DTLLS providers will not APL level 3 PTLLS.
Hi there,
My question is, if I have to write an Essay of say 150 words, can I exceed over the 150 words or do I have to stick to exsctly 150 words?
Thanks
when doing the paper on inclusion, equality and diversity , is the best way to do this in one explanation or split it up in individual categories?
Hi
I know this May sound silly….but can you explain what constitutes ‘life long learning sector?’
It’s not silly at all, it’s remiss of me not to thought to define it properly. I take it to be an umbrella term for all the various methods of learning post-compulsory education. Like further / adult education, work based learning, the increasingly popular free online courses (MOOCs) and self directed learning such as “Teach Yourself” a language or computer programming “for Dummies”.
In the sense of the Ptlls course title I think it just refers to post-compulsory education.
I am looking at the level 3 and level 4 explanations. The explanation that your website provides is not in depth for me to evaluate whether to opt for level 3 or 4. Could you explain how they differ and the value of taking either over the other level please?
Hi Keith. Sorry it’s lacking for you. The value is in what you might want to do after the course, for example it might be a requirement that you have the level 4 version of the qualification in order to do Ctlls/Dtlls or get some jobs or work experience. Level 4 means you do the different essays and practical assignments and they have longer word counts and are more in-depth. You may find, depending on your course, that you don’t have to choose up front. On my course we all did the same lectures together and then whichever level assignment we preferred but there was also the option that if your level 4 essay wasn’t to that standard it was just marked as a level three. So theoretically someone could shoot for the level 4, fall just a bit short but still come away with the level 3 as long as they met that standard. You should talk to your tutor or institution about what you want to achieve with the course and make sure they support you in that. Hope that helps!
Thank you.
Hi there
Its just a quick question about the completion of the course. I have already gained a level 4. I am looking at becoming a Teaching Assistant….would this qualifications put me on the right track to achieving this?
Hi Hilary. I am sure that Ptlls would be useful for Teaching Assistants but as to how much it would help exactly a good way to check is by looking at job adverts for TAs and seeing what is listed there as requirements etc.
Hi, just wondering if you know if I could convert my level 3 ptlls to a level 4 easily? If so, do you have any recommendations as to how I could do this? Thanks 🙂
Hi Natalie. I’m not sure actually how you would go about that. I would suggest getting in touch with the tutors or careers advisers where you did your course and checking with them. You can still progress onto Ctlls with a level 3 as well.