Applicants wishing to register with Irish or a curricular language should provide verifiable evidence of an immersive educational experience in the language. The immersive experience must be for a minimum of 4 weeks duration.
The 4 weeks may be completed in either one block of 4 weeks (Option 1), or in two blocks of 2 weeks (Option 2). In Option 2, at least one block (a minimum of 2 weeks) must be in a setting where the language is the vernacular.
Option 1
(One block of 4 weeks duration – the 4 weeks must take place in a country where the language is the vernacular)
The applicant must confirm that they:
a. have attended a language course
b. have worked as a staff member in an educational setting
c. have conducted an action research project which is of relevance to their teaching studies
d. have engaged in School Placement.
Option 2
(Two blocks, each of 2 weeks duration – at least one block must be in a country where the language is the vernacular.)
During block 1, the applicant must confirm that they:
a. have attended a language course
b. have worked as a staff member in an educational setting
c. have conducted an action research project which is of relevance to their teaching studies
d. have engaged in School Placement.
During block 2, the applicant must confirm that they:
a. have attended a language course
b. have worked as a staff member in an educational setting
c. have conducted an action research project which is of relevance to their teaching studies
d. have engaged in School Placement.
Examples of evidence
Examples of evidence may include a transcript/letter from your university confirming an Erasmus programme and/or immersive educational experience was undertaken in a setting where the language is the vernacular; a letter from an employer; a letter from a language course provider; a letter from your university confirming an action research project was completed.
Guidance Note
- Vernacular – it is acceptable to complete the immersion experience in French in a region such as Québec in Canada or Senegal in Africa as they are French speaking areas, for example.
- School placement must include direct teaching in state recognised schools and may also include involvement in broader school-based activities such as clubs, etc., if they are conducted through the target language.
- A minimum number of hours that must be verified in each setting is not stipulated.
Below are examples of what evidence may and may not be accepted under each ‘experience’.
Examples of immersive educational experience
Attending a language course
Examples of verifiable evidence (in a country where the language is the vernacular) (In the language)
- Completion of a French language course in an educational setting in the language setting, e.g., France/ or French speaking area
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (Not in a country where the language is the vernacular) (Through the language)
- Completing an in person or online language course through a third level educational setting or an internationally recognised language school, e.g., Alliance Francaise, Cervantes.
Examples of unacceptable evidence
- Completion of language courses at second level and attending a language school at second level are not acceptable, e.g., attending the Gaeltacht in fifth year or Gaelcholáiste.
Working as a staff member in an educational setting
(This requirement should not be confused with school placement)
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (In a country where the language is the vernacular) (In the language)
- An ‘educational setting’ is one that is attached to/facilitated by a state recognised educational institution, be it a school/HEI and the student teacher is working in the target language in the language setting, e.g., working in a Coláiste Samhraidh in the Gaeltacht, working in the Sorbonne University in France.
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (Not in a country where the language is the vernacular) (Through the language)
- Working through the target language in an educational setting that is attached to/facilitated by a state recognised educational institution, be it school/HEI, e.g., working as a language assistant with UCD for their French camp or language school.
Examples of unacceptable evidence
- Working as a sports coach/ children’s camp for a private company in France. Working in Ireland in a local language camp not connected to a school/HEI.
Conducting an action research project which is of relevance to their teaching studies
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (In a country where the language is the vernacular) (In the language)
- Confirmation from an ITE provider that an action research project was undertaken for a minimum of two weeks duration in the language setting and the location in which it was completed.
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (Not in a country where the language is the vernacular) (Through the language)
- Confirmation from an ITE provider that an action research project was undertaken for a minimum of two weeks duration through the target language.
Examples of unacceptable evidence
- Completion of an action research project in a country that is not where the language is spoken, e.g., completing an action research project in Ireland that was not completed through the target language.
Engaging in school placement
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (In a country where the language is the vernacular) (In the language)
- Confirmation from an ITE provider that a minimum of two weeks of school placement has been conducted in the language setting, e.g., teaching for two weeks in a French speaking school in Paris.
Examples of Verifiable Evidence (Not in a country where the language is the vernacular) (Through the language)
- Confirmation from an ITE provider that a minimum of two weeks of school placement has been conducted through the target language in the language setting, e.g., teaching Gaeilge in an Irish medium school in or outside of the Gaeltacht, teaching French in a French speaking school in Ireland.
Examples of unacceptable evidence
- Teaching Gaeilge in an English speaking school (this is regular school placement).