About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Higher Diploma in Spanish for Teachers
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Code
HDSPT
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College
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Duration
2 years Part-Time
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Teaching Mode
Part-Time
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Qualifications
HDip
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EU Fees
Fully Funded
See Fees and Costs for full details. -
Entry Requirements
A2 level in Spanish (CEFR) See Requirements for full details.
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Closing Date
14th August 2023
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Credits
65
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Professional Accrediting Body
Irish Teaching Council
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Start Date
September 2023
Course Outline
This innovative two year Higher Diploma (65 ECTS credits) takes participants from A2 Spanish language level competence to the required B2.2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
It ensures that participants complete all curricular subject requirements for the Teaching Council including language, literature, and study abroad and integrates collaborative and flexible learning models along with a commitment to deep reflective practice.
It is designed as a blended programme using technology-enhanced learning as its primary mode alongside 9x6 hour monthly Saturday workshops (September - December; January - April) in both years as well as 2x1 month intensive study abroad programme in June or July of both years.
Using UCC’s virtual learning platform, CANVAS, it facilitates online and weekend delivery favouring a flipped classroom approach and the creation of a community of practice alongside multi-modal assessment including action research, reflective essays, e-portfolios, oral presentations, peer and self-assessment as well as critical engagement with ICT.
For details on the list of modules available to students on this programme, please consult the UCC College Calendar.
Why Choose This Course
Are you interested in learning Spanish language to a level that equips you to be a teacher in the subject?
Are you interested in learning about the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world including Spain, Latin America and the US?
Would you like training in digital tools that will help you to create content for your classes?
Then apply for our Higher Diploma and learn from our dynamic team of experts in language teaching, digital pedagogies and cultures and histories of Spain and Latin America.
Requirements
Language Competency Requirements
Participants require an A2 level of Spanish according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Certification as proof of language level is required. We accept certificates from Universities, Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas, and internationally recognised accreditation like the DELE and SIELE certificates (see https://dublin.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm for more information). The certificates must state that the applicant has acquired the language level (of A2 or higher); proof of attendance on a course at that level is not sufficient.
Please note, we can only accept A2 certification that has been acquired within two years of the application deadline. Certification for B1 level speakers or higher may have been acquired prior to this. Candidates presenting B1+ certificates older than 5 years may be invited to meet our team to confirm their language level.
Native speakers of Spanish who have full post-primary registration with the Teaching Council are eligible to apply if they do not already meet the curricular requirements to register as a post-primary Spanish teacher.
Teaching Council Requirements
In line with funding terms and conditions from the HEA, applicants must have full Post-Primary (Route 2) registration with the Teaching Council at the time of application. Teachers with post-primary (VEC ONLY) or post-primary (ETB ONLY) registration are eligible to apply.
Conditional registration for post-primary (route 2), or registration with other routes (i.e. further education, primary) cannot be accepted. Please note, to be eligible to complete this programme, applicants must not meet the Spanish curricular requirements for the Teaching Council with their current qualifications. Requirements are available here: https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/pme/spanish-sdf-2023.pdf.
Fees and Costs
Fully Funded.
How Do I Apply
Apply NowFor queries regarding course content or timetables please contact
Higher Diploma in Spanish for Teachers FAQ
A bursary of €500 per teacher per year is available to aid the costs that will be incurred for this part of the course.
There will be support available from the Programme Team as well as our colleagues in our partner universities, Alcalá de Henares and Universidad de Cantabria, to help with queries regarding the practical elements of travelling to Spain.
This is a blended course, delivered online and in-person. Students will have weekly online language and culture classes, as well as material to cover asynchronously. In addition to this, we will meet in person one Saturday every month (9 Saturdays in total per year) in UCC to consolidate learning on all aspects of the course. Each year, teachers will undertake a four-week immersive experience of intensive language courses based in our partner universities, either Universidad de Alcalá de Henares or Universidad de Cantabria. Assessment is largely project and portfolio-based to allow for flexibility.
This programme is funded to facilitate candidates completing all 60 credits needed to fulfil curricular requirements to register as a post-primary Spanish teacher. As such, we can only consider applications from those in a position to complete the whole programme. As an alternative, you may consider taking flexi-option modules in UCC: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/flexioptions/#what-is-undergraduate-flexi-options
Native speakers will undertake an alternative module in lieu of completing the immersive stay in Spain. They will also complete an alternative work programme in the language modules.
If you can prove to the Teaching Council that you already meet the immersion requirement then you can complete an alternative module, and you may complete an alternative work programme in the language modules. Note proof of residency must be discussed directly with the Teaching Council.
We are hoping that study abroad will be possible but will obviously monitor the situation carefully. The Teaching Council has not amended its immersion requirement for the moment, so it is still an essential part of fulfilling the curricular subject requirements to be allowed to teach.
No. This programme is developed for teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council, but who do not meet the curricular requirements to teach post-primary Spanish.
Yes, registered teachers who meet the requirements and who are unemployed, not in full employment, or who are teaching Spanish out of field, will be given preference.
A requirement for this programme is that candidates are already registered with the Teaching Council when applying. In order to be registered with the Teaching Council, you must have this teaching qualification, so without it, you will not be eligible to apply for this course.
Yes. However, the programme is funded to ensure teachers completing it will meet the full 60 credits required by the Teaching Council to register as a post-primary teacher of Spanish upon completion. Thus, priority will be given to those who need to meet the full curricular requirements.