Question re. alternate qualifications to a degree for the purposes of teaching.

shtopthelights

Hi,

This is a bit of a long-shot, but, just wondering if this applies to anyone, or if anyone knows someone who does not have an undergraduate degree in a subject they teach, but who has, instead, a postgraduate diploma/MA?

I'd love to get another teaching subject (French), but due to there being no part-time language courses in Ireland and the extortionate cost of doing a degree as an undergrad/occasional student, plus the disruption to working due to the only available options being day courses, it's unfeasible for me. I have looked into doing it in the UK and I believe it would be feasible for me to do a p-t postgrad dip (which covers language and literature) and enables one to go on to an MA, also p-t. (you don't need to have a degree in French to get onto the course, just a degree + proficiency)

The TC say you require an undergrad degree for registration as a teacher, but if you had an MA, do people think they would register you?

The subject-specific requirements for French state that you must have 'satisfactory achievement in primary degree studies (or equivalent)', the studies need to extend over three years (which the two courses would, but would the fact that they're p-t courses change things?!?), you need to have spent at least three months in a country where French is the vernacular....I could do this too. Are there any other criteria one needs to fulfil with regard to residency? e.g. proof of work exp? /how would you prove residency?

Alternatively, if one is already registered with the TC for one subject, do people think principals would potentially hire you to teach another if you had these alternate qualifications in it, but it wasn't named as one of your teaching subjects on your registration? My feeling is that many principals wouldn't have an issue with it, but does anyone know of any reason why they couldn't?/wouldn't? Are there any rules I don't know about in this regard?

Like I say, a long shot that anyone will have categorical answers, but any light anyone could shed on anything relevant would be most welcome.

The prospect of having to take the boat either way is becoming more likely (I only have one, common, teaching subject), if I could make myself more employable while away that would at least make it a means to an end, instead of the end of me teaching in Ireland.

Thanks!

shtopthelights

I've just noticed that the General Requirements state the study must be full-time for three years, so registration is out of the question... But I'd still like to hear what people think re. the possibility of being hired as a French teacher with these qual's, if one isn't registered specifically as a French teacher with the TC...

roe_cat

I must admit I've never given too much thought to the 'or equivalent' bit - but would love to hear if anyone has successfully argued for recognition without undergrad credits.
Unfortunately a master's definitely wouldn't cut it with no undergrad credits in that subject to add to it. I'm also on the lookout for french credit - need an extra 10 ects because it was a minor subject. Thinking about doing a summer course in france - can't find any options for accredited courses here apart from daytime undergrad degrees.

As for the over 3 years bit - I know you can add extra subjects without them taking 3 years - once you have a degree first. you'd probably need credits from 3 levels (equating to three years) but the timeframe isn't the important bit.

As for getting hired - all depends on the principal but more likely that you'd have to get hired for your other subject and then maybe get lucky with french. Tis still a long shot if you've no handy contacts... and I certainly wouldn't like to be starting out a career like that. No other subjects from your undergrad that you might be able to add to with some distance/evening courses?

shtopthelights

Cheers roe_cat, kinda what I suspected really!

I would have a bit of work to do to get my French back up to scratch if I do decide to do that postgrad dip, have you found a list or a good website of Summer courses in France?

looksee

There is a very specific list of degrees from Irish universities issued by the department that are acceptable for teaching. It is hidden somewhere on their website. The only exceptions to degrees was a Design Communications Diploma and a Fine Art diploma, as there was no degree equivalent at the time. That has now changed but I don't know if the list has been changed.

Outside that list you have to do a degree THEN ask if it is acceptable. They will not tell you ahead of time what is an acceptable degree from outside Ireland. :rolleyes: That was the situation a couple of years ago.

shtopthelights

Thanks, looksee, I'll see if I can find that list, though I highly doubt there'll be any exceptions, aside from the ones you mention.

(I did my degree in the UK, so I'm all too familiar with the state of play for the assessment of non-Irish qualifications..! )

looksee

I can understand why they could not automatically accept every degree in the world, but you would think that some sort of accommodation could be reached with the UK, especially given how many Irish people have got an education over there!

roe_cat

it's my understanding that the recognised degrees are ones that the universities themselves have paid to have assessed (possibly in order to attract more students?) which is why it doesn't matter if your best friend did the same degree and has already had his assessed individually - you'll still have to go through the whole rigmarole unless it's on the list. So not really a matter of the teaching council liking irish unis better - but i could be wrong