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4. Education Gaeilge

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Education Gaeilge

• Code

  CK124

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  4 years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BEd (Hons)

• Fees

  Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  1 x H3, 1 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; H3 in Irish and O6/H7 in another language. See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2022: 408

• CAO Points Range

  408-625

Course Outline

Teachers of Irish are now in high demand in secondary schools, both in English-speaking schools and also in Gaelcholáistí. Our BEd degree enables students to qualify as teachers of Irish in combination with a second subject through a 4-year undergraduate teaching degree. The second subjects offered in this degree are French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Mathematical Studies.

The language component of this programme comprises intensive language teaching, accompanied by teaching in literature and other aspects of the culture and history of the countries where those languages are spoken. Students will spend one semester studying in the Gaeltacht and, if you choose to combine Irish with another language, you will spend an Erasmus semester in the country where that language is spoken (France, Italy, Germany, or Spain).

The teacher-education element of the degree includes placements and teaching-experience in schools. This is a unique opportunity to qualify in 4 years for the exciting and challenging vocation of teaching Irish with another subject.

Year 1 Modules

All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

• GA1003 Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge (15 credits)
• GA1008 An Nualitríocht (10 credits)
• GA1009 An Ghaeilge Bheo

Plus 30 credits from one of the following subjects:

FRENCH

• FR1101 Foundation Course in Written and Oral French (10 credits)
• FR1201 Introduction to French Studies
• FR1104 Foundation Course in the French Language for Teaching Purposes (10 credits)
• FR1108 Tandem Learning for Language Teaching French 

GERMAN

Beginners’ German

• GE1103 Integrated Written and Oral German Language Course for Beginners (10 credits)
• GE1104 Introduction to German Culture and Literature for Beginners
• GE1006 Beginners’ Oral and Written Classroom Language for Teaching Purposes 
• GE1106 Understanding Language for the German Language Classroom: Sounds and Structures (10 credits) OR

Non-Beginners’ German

• GE1101 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for German (10 credits)
• GE1102 Introduction to Literature 
• GE1007 Research Project in German Studies
• GE1106 Understanding Language for the German Language Classroom (10 credits)

ITALIAN

Beginners’ Italian

• IT1101 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
• IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society 
• IT1130 Italian Language: Text and Context 
• IT1103 Understanding Language for the Italian Language Classroom (10 credits) OR

Non-Beginners’ Italian

• IT1102 Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
• IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society  
• IT1130 Italian Language: Text and Context
• IT1103 Understanding Language for the Italian Language Classroom (10 credits) 

SPANISH

Beginners’ Spanish

• HS1101 First Year Spanish Language for Beginners (15 credits)
• HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom 
• HS1104 Understanding Language for the Spanish Language Classroom  (10 credits) OR

Non-Beginners’ Spanish

• HS1102 First-Year Spanish Language for Non-Beginners (10 credits) 
• HS1030 Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies  
• HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom 
• HS1104 Understanding Language for the Spanish Language Classroom (10 credits)

MATHEMATICAL STUDIES

• MS1002 Calculus  
• MS1003 Linear Algebra  
• MS1004 Introduction to Statistics 
• MS2005 Discrete Mathematics 
• MS2013 Geometry   
• MS2017 Mechanics I 

Course Practicalities

Typically 15-credit modules involve a minimum of 72 contact hours, generally consisting of lectures and small-group classes such as tutorials and seminars; for languages, conversation classes and language laboratory work also feature. These modules are generally assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessments (essays, journals, projects, presentations, etc.) 10- and 5-credit modules involve a minimum of 48 and 24 contact hours, respectively, generally consisting of lectures (and small group classes) and/or assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessment.

The concurrent Education component of this degree will begin in Year 2 and continue to Year 4, and will contain lectures on the methodology of the teaching of the specific subjects selected by the student. It will also involve school-placements, again in Years 2 and 4.

To practice in Ireland, all teachers are required to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Complying with subject-specific Teaching Council requirements is therefore essential for every graduate. In the languages, this refers particularly to modular content (e.g. prose and poetry), residency in the area where the language is spoken, and overall linguistic ability. In this degree, a three-month Gaeltacht residency will be accommodated within the course, as will a three-month Erasmus residency for those students taking a second language.

Why Choose This Course

This is an employment-focused degree that responds to teacher shortages in the secondary school sector.

The BEd Gaeilge is a 4-year degree which will fully-qualify graduates as post-primary teachers of Gaeilge and one other subject without requiring any additional credits or postgraduate qualification.

Long-established, and ever-growing links between UCC and the Gaeltacht areas on its doorstep provide ready-made centres of excellence for teaching and learning of Gaeilge. Embedded features of Gaeltacht and Erasmus residencies during Years 2 and 3 facilitate immersive language exposure, and ensure that on graduation the student will have completed all Teaching Council requirements. Gaeltacht residencies will benefit from Department of the Gaeltacht subsidies. Education work-placements with UCC’s network of school affiliations, in years 2, 3 and 4, account for a significantly high proportion of credits, serving to position graduates strongly for employment.

See also BEd Gaeilge Scholarships/Scoláireachtaí Bed Gaeilge for information on BEd Gaeilge scholarships.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The elements of the degree completed in the four years include school-placements and Erasmus/Gaeltacht semesters. School placements occur throughout Years 2, 3 and 4 of the degree. The first semester (September to November) of Year 2 will be spent entirely in a Gaeltacht location. Where another language is chosen as the second subject, the second semester (January to March/April) of Year 3 will be spent entirely in a country where that language is spoken.

Skills and Careers Information

In the Irish educational system at present there is a shortage of teachers of Irish and of the other subjects offered in this degree. This is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills in the Teacher Supply Action Plan 2018, which encourages teacher-training degrees ‘which qualify teachers in two subject areas’ including those subjects offered by this degree: Irish, Mathematics, French, German, Spanish, Italian.

Teachers of these subjects are in such demand not only in English-speaking schools. Gaelcholáistí are experiencing shortages of teachers qualified to teach second subjects through Irish. Both shortages are addressed through this BEd, and graduates can expect a high employability profile.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate entry requirements:

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in Irish, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	H3	O6/H7

 

Irish/Gaeilge: a minimum Leaving Certificate grade H3 is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements apply depending on what second subject you choose: 

Mathematical Studies: a minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 in Maths is required.

Language chosen with Irish:   

• Non-Beginners French: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H3 required.
• Non-Beginners German: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.
• Non-Beginners Italian: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.
• Non-Beginners Spanish: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.

Please note: All students qualify for beginner’s language options on the basis of the H3 Irish entry requirement.

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, candidates are assessed based on education, life and/or relevant work experience as demonstrated in the CAO Application and Statement of Interest. Candidates will be called for an Interview conducted in Irish*. 

*The Interview in Irish will consist of a conversation with staff in order to establish that the applicant is competent in Irish to a level sufficient to understand lectures, to partake in continuous assessment, and to undergo written examinations in Irish. Find out about the mature entry requirements here.

International Students should visit the International Education website.

Fees and Costs

The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138. Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees.

Additional costs (travel, accommodation and subsistence) may be incurred during the Gaeltacht residency and (for those choosing a second language) the Erasmus aspects of the course.

How Do I Apply