UG Prospectus 2025

122 WhyDCU? − Specialised centre of excellence, with a rich history in teacher education – it’s what we do − Youwill be taught by internationally recognised experts in language and teacher education − Professional placements take up 25%of the course – preparing you to teach in the 21st-century classroom − Youwill complete an Erasmus placement studying in a country where your chosen modern foreign language is spoken − Youwill be qualified to teach Gaeilge and French, German or Spanish in post-primary schools About You Are you interested in playing a key role in the language development of the next generation? You need to be creative and articulate, with a passion for languages – learning them, using them and passing on your skills to others. Additional Requirements In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the University (see page 174), the following entry requirements apply: aminimum of H3 inGaeilge and aminimumof H3 in French, German or Spanish. GardaVetting Garda vetting has been introduced for students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Youmust successfully pass theGarda vetting process in order to complete the process of registration. Understanding: Post-Primary Teacher Education The 4 year post-primary teacher education degree inGaeilge and French, German or Spanish is a ‘concurrent’ teacher education course –meaning that academic study and professional teacher training are integrated in all 4 years. This is in contrast with the ‘consecutivemodel’ where you first complete an undergraduate degree andmust then apply for entry to the Professional Masters in Education in order to qualify as a post-primary teacher. This coursewill prepare you in the two languages Gaeilgewith French, German or Spanish, while placing an emphasis on teamwork, leadership, communication and creativity – skills that will inspire you towork as a post-primary teacher and also a variety of other professions. Course Structure Amajor attraction of this 4 year course is that youwill study in small class groups within the larger University context. Throughout the course youwill cover the following integrated areas: Foundational and Professional Studies in Education We offer a student-friendly, supportive, open, dynamic and practical approach to the study of education. Given its diverse nature, the study of education and languages is exciting, engaging, and challenging – as reflected in the variety of modules on offer over the course of your 4 years. Teaching including Professional Placements One of themost exciting and rewarding elements of the course is our hands-on approach to the professional placement periods of the course, duringwhich time students hone their teaching, learning, assessment and critical reflection skills. During these periods, students spend time inmicroteaching settings, online synchronous teaching settings and in different post-primary schools. The professional placement periods are designed in such away so as to incrementally support students in the ongoing development of their professional identity and teaching skills. Over the 4 years of the course, students have an opportunity to gain valuable and extensive experience across a range of teaching and learning activities, including observation of practice, peer teaching, team teaching and online pedagogies. Students are supported throughout their initial teacher education by experienced placement tutors and school-based post-primary teachers, known as “Treoraithe”. Professional placement also enables student teachers to learn about and become part of the wider school community and students are actively encouraged to engage in activities, initiatives andwork outside the classroom. There is a specific focus on this aspect of school life during the Context and Engagement periods, which Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4 studentsmust completewhen post-primary schools reopen in August and before the beginning of semester 1 lectures each year. Languages There is a shortage of language teachers in the post-primary sector at present and graduates of this coursewill be highly sought after. The coursewill enable you to reach a high standard of competence inGaeilge and your chosen language so that youwill be a confident and effective language teacher. Youwill have the opportunity to undertake an internship in theGaeltacht and the second half of Year 3will be spent in a country where French, German or Spanish is spoken. As well as learning the languages to a high level, youwill study awide range of literature and become familiar with the vital characteristics and contexts of drama, poetry, filmand fiction. Youwill study modules in applied linguistics, i.e. how to teach languages and how languages are learned. Therewill bemodules on how to assess language learners and how to teach students with different learning needs. Bachelor of Education inGaeilge and French or German or Spanish Post-Primary Teaching: Use your ability in languages to inspire the next generation of learners