How to become a language teacher

zervi2003

Hi everyone.

Would anyone have any ideas how to get into or know of anyone who works as a language teacher – in particular primary schools?
I have a degree in French and Spanish and I am interested in becoming a teacher for primary shcools.

I am willing to study longer (possibly a year) if I need to (am in Clare/Tipp/Limerick region - anything long distance/e-based considered as well). But am confused as to what to do/where to go/who to talk to.

Any help/advice?

Thanks

whatsgoinon

I also have a degree in spanish and french. I am currently doing a primary teaching postgrad in the UK. Its a professional course and so you get paid for it, not a lot, but I'm suviving. I know loads of people from Ireland that have done it over here and have gone home to teach. The Uk is crying out for modern foreign language teachers at the moment, new law in 2010 says all primary schools must offer a modern foreign language. The course is 9 months, it's hard work, but they are easier to get into than at home, more choice.
The only problem is the irish test thing for if you want to teach in ireland

zervi2003

What do you mean the Irish test thing?

I have no idea of anything about language teaching or how to get into it, so please talk to me in "baby steps!".

Thanks for the help.

Z

whatsgoinon

www.gttr.ac.uk

closing date for a course starting september 09 in november this year, or you could chance applying now there may be a list of unis with places still available and you could start in september this year.
I get £667 a month, not a lot but have no time for a social life so its loads! depending on how old you are you, you may be eligible for an independant student loan to cover your fees ( non repayable) or else a repayable one once you start working.
As far as I know, if you want to teach in Ireland with a UK qualification you have up to 5 years to pass an Irish exam, think there is a thread on this somewhere in edu-> teaching and lecturing, you would also have to do your NQT or newly qualified teacher (dip year) getting inspected and stuff.

Hope this helps

Moonbeam

To become a full time primary school teacher in Ireland, you must have Irish.

If you look at the teach colleges websites they will show the entry requirements.
The course is 18 months and there is a lot of competition for entry.

In the UK you could do the PGCE and qualify as a primary school teacher there then come back here and fulfill the language requirement or work elsewhere in Europe.

zervi2003

I have a C3 in Ordinary Irish, which it seems, does not qualify me. Ironically, in foreign languages I always did much much better.

Guess thats me out of the race then. Its been 10 years since I have spoken a word of Irish and I dont think I'd be able to get a Higher C to qualify at this stage.

Electric

This guy that I work with wants to go back and do primary school teaching. But his Irish wasn't great either so he went back and did the Irish Leaving Cert exam again and got grinds from that place on Leeson Street.

Got his B in Honours Irish. Now he's just looking to get onto one of the teaching courses.