Teaching In Ireland

Ganjadec

I was born in Armagh, and as such have always considered myself Irish. I was lucky enough togrow up in Jamaica. Yes, that Jamaica, before it became too dangerous to be there.
I was educated in English, as one would imagine, and also learnt Spanish and French.
I have been living in Denmark for the past 18 years, and received my teaching qualification here. It qualifies me to teach both primary AND secondary school and is recognized in Ireland.
However, due to my upbringing, I never learned Irish. I have heard conflicting stories about teachers who are qualified abroad having to learn Irish, or are exempt from this clause.
Can anyone out there help me with this?
To me, it seems descriminatory, and I have a hard time believing it.

implausible

Ganjadec wrote: »

To me, it seems descriminatory, and I have a hard time believing it.

If you want to teach at primary school level, you have to sit an Irish exam within 5 years (I think) of taking up a position. It is one of the core subjects in the primary curriculum, so it's hardly discriminatory to be required to do it.

For secondary school, you'd have to sit an exam on the History and Structure of Irish Education to have your teaching qualifications recognised and be paid properly.

Powerhouse

Ganjadec wrote: »

However, due to my upbringing, I never learned Irish. I have heard conflicting stories about teachers who are qualified abroad having to learn Irish, or are exempt from this clause.
Can anyone out there help me with this?
To me, it seems descriminatory, and I have a hard time believing it.

That's like saying that forcing someone to learn about pipes and taps before they can become a plumber is discriminatory. A Primary teacher having an ability to teach a core subject on the Primary currciulum is hardly an outrageous expectation.

AcePuppetMaster

Ganjadec, if you've learned all those languages (French and Spanish), then you should have no problem picking up Irish. If it is true that you have to sit an exam within 5 years, then I suggest you make the most of it and invest in some time in the Gealteacht.

I wish you all the best.:)

Ganjadec

As I have no intention or desire to actually teach Irish, it seems a bit odd. Also, even if I learn to speak Irish at my age, I will almost certainly not be good enough at it to teach children in it.
Thanx to some of you for your help, although some of you need to drop the sarcasm. It does not help, and only means that your "advice" does not get heeded.

spurious

If you are teaching in a primary school you will have to teach Irish.

Ganjadec

I actually would prefer to teach in secondary. What are the rules there with regard to speaking Irish? Several of you have mentioned primary school.
I must add that don't have a problem with learning it.

Dionysus

Ganjadec wrote: »

I have heard conflicting stories about teachers who are qualified abroad having to learn Irish, or are exempt from this clause.
Can anyone out there help me with this?
To me, it seems descriminatory, and I have a hard time believing it.

Discrimination? Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable working under the British system in that case?

AcePuppetMaster

[SNIP]

I actually would prefer to teach in secondary. What are the rules there with regard to speaking Irish?

To answer this question, secondary schools tend to have Irish teachers (teachers who teach Irish as opposed to their nationality, of course) and Science teachers, French teachers etc. Some or most do two or three subjects. I am sure a basic level of Irish (if required) would be enough to get you through to teach subjects in which you specialise.

[SNIP]

smcgiff

Forget Primary - plenty of qualified teachers with Irish are having difficulty getting jobs. Secondary is the way to go. What can you teach? You can speak Spanish and French, but was your degree in these?

Good luck!

Nead21

[SNIP]

Ganjadec, i think you have misunderstood what people have been saying. in our primary schools, children have one teacher for the whole day and for all of their subjects. therefore, i order to be a primary school teacher, you need to be able to teach all of these subjects, which includes irish. as above posters have said, irish is a core subject. its not discriminatory, thats just the way it is.

you dont need irish to teach in secondary school, you need a degree in your chosen subject and a teaching qualification (which you have).

Toto Wolfcastle

I have deleted the posts relating to the OP's user name and its effect on his teaching ability as they are off-topic. I have also edited two posts for the same reason.

Back on topic please.

Tessy89

Hi there,
Slightly confused haven't used this before but here goes! I have a degree in Irish and Geography and am hoping to pursue a career in Secondary School teaching. My inquiry is whether i have to do my hdip through Irish or can it be done through English? I would appreciate any advice out there. I have applied through the PAC-postgraduate applications centre but not sure as to which route i have to go into to.
Thanks

evolving_doors

Tessy89 wrote: »

Hi there,
Slightly confused haven't used this before but here goes! I have a degree in Irish and Geography and am hoping to pursue a career in Secondary School teaching. My inquiry is whether i have to do my hdip through Irish or can it be done through English? I would appreciate any advice out there. I have applied through the PAC-postgraduate applications centre but not sure as to which route i have to go into to.
Thanks

English all the way....for secondary....