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Are you interested in studying to be a teacher of modern languages and/or an Ghaeilge at post-primary level? Are you passionate about teaching young people and making a positive impact on their lives?

This innovative (opens in a new window)teacher education course prepares high quality language teachers to teach, inspire and lead across the Irish education system. As Brazilian education philosopher Paulo Freire states: “Education does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.”

This course blends language learning and initial teacher education to prepare you to work as a language teacher in post-primary schools in the Irish education system. You can choose to study two languages from modern languages (French, Spanish, German or Italian) and/or an Ghaeilge. Alternatively, you can choose to major in an Ghaeilge alone. You will engage in modules to develop your language proficiency skills, building your linguistic competencies while also learning about the culture and literature of the language(s) through an interrogation of key texts. You will also develop your skills as a teacher as you progress through the course, undertaking modules in foundation disciplines (history/sociology/psychology/philosophy of education, curriculum studies) and professional studies (communication skills, digital learning, research) while also engaging in school placement (in both primary and post-primary schools). A key aspect of the course is to prepare you for working with a diverse range of students and personnel across the education system, with particular emphasis on the school as a learning community.

First Year
You can study two languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian, an Ghaeilge) or an Ghaeilge solely. Language modules will focus on developing your language proficiency while also introducing you to the associated culture and literature. Education modules include:

  • Irish Childhoods
  • Socio-Historic Perspectives on Education
  • Education for a Sustainable Future
  • Creative Pedagogy & Wellbeing
  • Communication
  • Skills & Language Pedagogy.
  • Placement in this year will be undertaken in a primary school.

Second Year

You will continue to build your language proficiency engaging in modules focused on developing your skills and confidence in the language(s) you are studying as well as continuing with your cultural studies. Education modules include:

  • Education for Democracy
  • Inclusive Education for Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
  • Curriculum, Assessment & Language Pedogogy
  • Placement will be undertaken in a post-primary school.

Third Year

The immersive study abroad or in the Gaeltacht forms an integral part of this year to apply your language learning in a language placement. If studying two modern languages, placement will be undertaken in trimester two and three (Summer trimester) of the third year. If studying an Ghaeilge and a modern language, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one (the Gaeltacht) and two (Erasmus) of the course. If studying an Ghaeilge alone, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one of the course. Education modules will be taken online to include research methods in preparation for the research project in year four of the course and digital technologies & language pedagogy.

Fourth Year

The final year of the course will prepare students for the intensive block placement experience to be undertaken in post-primary schools over two trimesters. Students will also engage in a research project, working with your Treoraí (co-operating teacher) to identify a relevant topic and to undertake the research study over the course of your placement. Education modules include:

  • Professional Placement
  • Portfolio & Methods (Trimester 1 & 2)
  • Research Project

Students will also engage in the final language modules required to ensure you meet the required standards for language proficiency.

Assessment

Assessments will include essay format as well as written examinations, oral andaural examinations, in-class individual presentations, group project work, reflective diaries, translation tasks, and a research project in the final year. Placement will be assessed by a school placement supervisor and tutor. Students will also develop a learning portfolio of work (Taisce) over the duration of the course, which you will use as you transition into the teaching profession as a qualified post-primary school teacher.

Eligibility/Requirements

The requirements for students going abroad are that they need to pass stage 2 to go into stage 3. They will need to have 60 credits in stage 1 and have 60 credits in year 2.

Note: It is strongly advised that any student who does not pass all stage 2 modules, does not take up an opportunity to study abroad for a full year as it will be very difficult to remediate your outstanding modules and successfully complete stage 4 on your return. Should you wish to discuss this further please contact your Programme Director.

When and for how long:

All students on Strand 1 (Education and 2 modern languages) and on Strand 3 (Education, Irish and a Modern Language) are on Erasmus exchange in the Spring semester of Year 3. The students taking Irish in Strand 2 (Education and Irish) and Strand 3 (Education, Irish and a Modern Language) spend the Autumn semester in the Gaeltacht.

Students on Strand 1 (Education and 2 modern languages) undertake a month-long placement in an educational institution in the country of their second language. This will take place before or after the Erasmus exchange in the country of their first language.

Erasmus Info for Students 2024

Student Exchange FAQs UCD Global

More information about the Erasmus programme can be found on this page.

For any queries regarding the Erasmus programme, please complete the form at this (opens in a new window)link.

This concurrent initial teacher education (ITE) course has been recognised and accredited by The Teaching Council of Ireland. For further information www.teachingcouncil. ie/en/ If students fulfil all elements and requirements of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a postprimary school teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

The BEd in Education, Gaeilge and/or Modern Languages qualifies you to teach in post-primary school. It does not qualify you to teach at primary school level.

Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements:

O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subjects

Special Entry Recommendations:

BEd Education, Gaeilge and Modern Languages – To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in Gaeilge and a Grade H4 in the Modern Language studied to Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).

BEd Education and Modern Languages – To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in one or more Modern Language(s) studied to Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). Two languages will be studied as part of this degree option. Both can be taken at non-beginners level or one of German, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese can be taken at beginners level.

BEd Education and Gaeilge – To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in Gaeilge in Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).

Other School Leaving Requirements:

Please visit our website www.ucd.ie/admissions

“This new teacher education course affords students the opportunity to study languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian, an Ghaeilge) while also engaging in foundational education modules to prepare for teaching in post-primary schools. Students will study language proficiency skills to a high standard, explore the culture of their chosen languages and undertake school placements (in both primary and postprimary schools). This course places particular emphasis on preparing teachers who can respond to the educational needs of students in an increasingly diverse and dynamic education system using creative and innovative approaches.”

(opens in a new window)Deirdre McGillicuddy, Assistant Professor, UCD School of Education

I chose this degree as I have always had a great love for languages, especially An Ghaeilge. I was really impressed by the employment opportunities, not just in education but across media, translation and the civil service. The course modules are varied and provide invaluable insights into education, pedagogy, language and culture. There is incredible academic support in UCD, both from programme leadership and within the individual modules. The placement opportunities provide unrivalled experience in preparation for our teaching careers, as well as the built-in Erasmus and Gaeltacht Experiences in Stage 3, which will allow us to develop our fluency & cultural awareness.

Cormac Delaney, Student

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All BEd students must undergo Garda Vetting (organised by UCD registry). The UCD Vetting process must be complete before a student can begin their school placement. Even if the placement school organises a separate Garda vetting, all students are still required to complete UCD Garda vetting. If you do not complete the UCD Student Garda Vetting process, you will not be able to attend your placement.

The Student Vetting team will be in touch with all incoming BEd students with information about this process.

Further details about this process can be found here. If you have any queries about this process, please contact the UCD Student Vetting team directly at (opens in a new window)studentvetting@ucd.ie.

School of Education

University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland
T: +353 1 716 7777