Secondary teaching in Ireland

feckless3 · 26-01-2011 8:41pm #1

I have a degree in psychological studies and English from NUIG. I have been taking time out from university and have decided that I would like to do secondary teaching. However, after the PGDE, I would only be qualified to teach English as it is and when I was in school, all of the teachers taught at least two subjects.

I did well in art at school and considered continuing to third level with it but went with English instead. Is there a way to qualify to teach art along with English without starting a new degree? I wouldn't mind doing a year or two year course but a full three year undergrad is a bit much after already doing one.

I would also consider doing guidance counselling as it relates back to psychology. However, I don't know how to qualify to do that either.

I believe having two subjects would greatly improve my chances of gaining employment. If anyone had any information on how to qualify in art or guidance counselling I would really appreciate some advice. Thank you!

UnLuckyAgain · 26-01-2011 8:47pm

feckless3 wrote: »

I did well in art at school and considered continuing to third level with it but went with English instead. Is there a way to qualify to teach art along with English without starting a new degree? I wouldn't mind doing a year or two year course but a full three year undergrad is a bit much after already doing one.

I would also consider doing guidance counselling as it relates back to psychology. However, I don't know how to qualify to do that either.

Unfortunately, as per the Teaching Council's regulations, you need to have a degree in the subject that you want to teach. So in order to add Art to your teachable curriculum subjects, you would need to return and do a degree in Art. (Sorry!)

As for career guidance, this may be a nice way of increasing your employability. However, most courses for example the NUIM career guidance diploma http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie/prospectivepostgrads/taughtcourses/socialsciences/mh60g require applicants to be registered teachers already. So it seems you would only be able to do this course, after you do your PGDE.

Hope that helps.

feckless3 · 26-01-2011 8:54pm

Thanks for replying! That helps a lot! I just thought there had to be a way to add it to your subjects because when I was in school, all of the art teachers taught other subjects a long with art and they definitely didn't have multiple degrees! That was a few years ago though and they probably were not as strict as they are now about teaching qualidications.
Anyway, thanks again for your reply!

Benicetomonty · 26-01-2011 9:02pm

feckless3 wrote: »

Thanks for replying! That helps a lot! I just thought there had to be a way to add it to your subjects because when I was in school, all of the art teachers taught other subjects a long with art and they definitely didn't have multiple degrees! That was a few years ago though and they probably were not as strict as they are now about teaching qualidications.
Anyway, thanks again for your reply!

Not sure where you're based but if you do the PGDE in Maynooth, you have to do 2 subjects. If you only have 1 in your degree, you'll be invited to do cspe, so you will come our with 2 subjects...but only one you'll be able to teach to Leaving Cert.

feckless3 · 26-01-2011 9:06pm

I suppose if thats the case at least having English and CSPE might help me get a job and register as a teacher so that I can go back and do guidance counselling. Thanks for the information!

UnLuckyAgain · 26-01-2011 9:10pm

feckless3 wrote: »

I suppose if thats the case at least having English and CSPE might help me get a job and register as a teacher so that I can go back and do guidance counselling. Thanks for the information!

Exactly. Not sure if you were aware, and depending on your location, UCD run a part-time degree course, that you can take either during the day or in the evening, to essentially add another subject(s) to your degree. I know that its a somewhat cyclical basis, so you would have to check which subjects are offered at Level 1 in the upcoming year if interested.

feckless3 · 26-01-2011 9:31pm

I just looked up the UCD prospectus and they seem to be offering history on a part time evening basis which would also be good as I loved history in school.

This is probably a stupid question but if I went ahead and did the PGDE and taught English and CSPE for a while and then did the history degree part time, would I be qualified to teach history afterwards or would I have to repeat the PGDE to cover the new suject?

UnLuckyAgain · 26-01-2011 10:03pm

feckless3 wrote: »

I just looked up the UCD prospectus and they seem to be offering history on a part time evening basis which would also be good as I loved history in school.

This is probably a stupid question but if I went ahead and did the PGDE and taught English and CSPE for a while and then did the history degree part time, would I be qualified to teach history afterwards or would I have to repeat the PGDE to cover the new suject?

Just be warned - the general consensus for some time has been that teachers with English/History subject combinations seem to be extremely common, so be prepared for stiff competition employment-wise, unless there is some miraculous change within the next few years.

You definitely would NOT have to repeat the PGDE if you studied history afterwards. Technically, you can teach any subject in a school with a PGDE qualification, but you can only register with the Teaching Council in a subject you have taken to degree level. There is a specific application form for the TC for registered teachers who have new accreditations, which will apply to you if you follow this plan!

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

feckless3 · 26-01-2011 10:07pm

Thats good to know. You can do art and design part time in GMIT too but that takes 6 years! At least its an option though. Thanks so much for all your help, its much appreciated!

readystudypass · 26-01-2011 10:40pm

feckless3 wrote: »

I just looked up the UCD prospectus and they seem to be offering history on a part time evening basis which would also be good as I loved history in school.

You can also do history by distance learning with www.oscail.ie . You would get exemptions for your psychology and english.

drusk · 26-01-2011 11:17pm

If you want to be employable, then 'art' is not a good subject. Lots of teachers qualified but not enough jobs in the subject.

English is a great subject to have. It's a core subject.

In my opinion, your best bet would be to go ahead and do the PGDE, and then after that specialise in guidance counselling.

While doing the PGDE you can do a methodology in cspe or sphe or other "filler" subjects. This will increase your employability a little bit.

Looking at it in black and white, I reckon it'd be much easier for someone with english and guidance to get a job than someone with english and art. I may be wrong though....

feckless3 · 27-01-2011 7:29pm

Just looking up oscail now. Thanks everyone for the information. You've all been very helpfull!

UnLuckyAgain · 28-01-2011 12:46am

Apparently there's huge demand for Irish and Maths teachers...so if you're able, those subjects would be beneficial. I think Oscail do maths. I know the Open University do it.

ArtSmart · 28-01-2011 12:56am

feckless3 wrote: »

Just looking up oscail now. Thanks everyone for the information. You've all been very helpfull!

i'd email the teaching council to clarify what oscail and pt subjects are accepted, if i was you.

Mia7777 · 29-01-2011 12:23pm

Hi,

I have a degree in Business and have been working in industry for two years. I have always wanted to be a teacher however, I am very concenrned I may have trouble finding work and I know permenant jobs are hard to come by. I am looking for some advice as to where I can start.

Many thanks.

betsie · 01-06-2011 8:42am

Hi all just looking for some advce and to be told I'm crazy to be even thinking about this if necessary!:)

Ok a bit of backgroud before the questions: I have an honourse business degree, and am in the verge of finishing my accountancy qualification have worked in industry since finishing college 4 years ago. Thing is I dont really want to be an accountant for the rest of my life, to be honest I never really did just kind of fell into it. I suppose I didnt really know what I wanted to do (not sure I still do) but teaching (secondary) seems to be the 1 common option that always comes up when I think of what I'd like to do. So here come the questions.....

How do you/ did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
Could I get a few days subbing in a school to see if I'd like it or be remotely good at it and if so where would I start with this process?
Am I completely crazy to be even thinking about giving up a permanent job to go do this??!

Any advice/comments greatly appreciated

Betsie

whiteandlight · 10-06-2011 4:31pm

Hi Betsie,

TBH in the current climate, yes you would be a bit crazy... I'm qualified for two years with a first class honours degree/first class PGDE and an A in teaching practise and have only ever been called to two interviews despite sending out about 100 CV's/job applications. I was luck however, one of the jobs was a 22hr position that I got. However as its privately paid I am still trying/applying for jobs and it is a very tough sector out there atm.

I have wanted to teach since I was about 14. I ran choirs etc from the age of 16 and always knew I was heading for the DIP after my BA. However I would say I might be the exception rather than the rule.

Substitution work is gold dust these days but I suppose if you explained the situation to the principal and offered to take a few classes for free you might get an idea on whether you like it or not. You might not be liked by the other subs tho....

Ultimately tho I wouldn't leave a permanent job when you are unsure whether you would like to teach

Paulbeth · 17-06-2011 7:08pm

Hi Betsie

I would agree with Musicmental85. Sound advice. However, if you don't want to be an accountant for the rest of your career, then you should try to find a way to follow your heart, dream, whatever it may be. Someone once said (can't remember who) that we should not ask what the world needs. We should ask what makes us come alive and then go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

OK, enough of the romanticism. Could you maybe take a career break from your permanent job, train to do teaching, get some experience and see if you like it? If it doesn't work out, you could go back to accounting. That's just a suggestion. You need to look at your financial commitments, etc. and work out if that's possible. If you're going to run into financial trouble or if you are running the risk of losing a good job for good, then you should think twice, especially if you're not sure that teaching is what you really want to do.

Good luck!

Secondary teaching in Ireland

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