Edge Hill is my only choice as they're the only provider offering a flexible option near me ...

Not so. The Open University offers a flexible PGCE programme (students have up to 2 years to complete it). They operate by 'online & distance learning' for the theory, with placements in local schools (local to you, that is). Rated 'outstanding' by OFSTED in 2011 and 2010. They also register students 6 times per year, not just in September, and have 3 completion dates per year. Secondary MFL is one of the subjects they offer.Worth a look.

OtC

 Thanks OtC, I was vaguely aware of the OU PGCE and just had another look - my problem with it is that it only gives you a qualification in a single language, rather than a dual specialism. I'd like to do German and French, I don't think the job market is great for single German linguists...

No, if you read the brochure you will see that you can combine French and German, or German and French - in fact, applicants who offer German as their main MFL must be able able to ofer French as their second.

OtC

I had an interview for Secondary MFL at Leicester a few weeks ago and got in. Obviously different unis will be different but thought I'd reply with my experiences anyway.

First of all, there should still be a fair few places for MFL, so that's reassuring. I was the only MFL candidate at my interview, whereas there were 4 candidates for Social Sciences, and that was for a place on the reserve list, not guaranteed on the actual course! 

Group tasks are all about striking the balance. This was my 4th teacher training interview (I applied for History in 2010, and I also applied for TeachFirst last year) and I know I'd messed up the balance before. If other people seem way more experienced and confident it's easy to clam up and let them do the talking (this happened to me twice). On the other hand, it's easy to get verbal diahorrea trying to show off your ideas. Just try to find the happy medium and contribute. Getting in a bit of humour seems to help - breaks the ice a bit.

I've come across lots of people on forums getting stressed about what written tasks might involve, but haven't come across any which were that bad. They just want to check you can communicate clearly in writing - the content isn't that important. At Leicester, I had to write in French, and then the interviewers glanced through it for any glaring errors and told me there were a few accents out of place and one noun gender but that my overall level of French was fine. 

The interview was mostly about my experiences of teaching and why I want to teach. There was a bit about current educational issues (both in general and in MFL), and I was asked how I would answer a pupil who said there was no point in their learning languages. 

The interview was almost entirely in English, but they did ask me a bit about my Year Abroad in French, just to check that my spoken French was up to scratch too.

 I think that's about it...

Hey,

They didn't really ask me about specific educational issues, just what issues was I aware of. 

So I said about the English Baccalaureat measure leading to higher take-up of language GCSEs after a steep drop in the last few years. 

They then asked about an issue that wasn't specific to MFL, and I briefly talked about the increase in academies.

Good luck. :)