Postgrad Primary School Interview

Jammers197

Hi Folks
I'm going to an interview for the upcoming intake of primary teaching (18 month course) and not really sure what to expect from the interview. I've been getting different feedback from different people. I was wondering if there was anyone who has gone through this process who could advise me on how to prepare what questions I am likely to be asked.

Cheers

shellita

hi Jammers197 im doing the interview myself next week. Would also love if anyone can give feedback on the interview who has done it in the last few years.
My Irish is ok, I got a C1 in the LC in June but its not great. Im extremely nervous and panicking now. (Took me 2 years to get this, got a D2 last year)

I work full time so have no experience of working in a school, I tried to volunteer but kept being told by different schools they didn't need more in the classroom as they had SNAs and also placement from colleges.

Im really scared about what questions they could ask
All help is much appreciated!

becm

Hi guys,

How did ye get on in the interviews? I had one too for Pat's and playing the waiting game now - very nerve racking even though I don't fancy my chances too much! Found the Irish part of the interview ok but I really don't know what to make of the English part...the sooner we find out the better!

shellita

I thought the English went ok but the Irish was horrible very disappointing, I got so nervous my hands were shaking and I kept saying Tá..... Bhí. I had put a lot of study in and grinds but my nerves got the better of me.

becm

Sorry to hear that. It's hard to know how they are marking though so don't be too down on yourself just yet.
I know from listening to people around me speaking Irish before I went in that I thought everyone's Irish was much better than mine but it's hard to know!

When do you think we will find out? I didn't think to ask the day of it - too flustered after the English! I think usually the turn-around is very fast but it doesn't feel very fast now when you're waiting on it!

shellita

thanks, ah sure iv only myself to blame. Not much I can do, I tried to calm down but just one of those things.

I'll give you a laugh though, my friend did the interview and in the English they said "well we're nearly finished and she said "GREAT", I couldn't stop laughing when she told me can you imagine

I was told around the 6th Jan we'd hear.

becm

It's hard when you're in the situation though - ya never know what might happen!

Haha, I don't blame her, that's how I felt with it too! Funny though - I bet they will remember her

Ok cool, I guess that's not too much more waiting. I was hoping we would find out by that week alright but I thought it would be very quick. Going to be checking my emails and watching the postman like a mad thing now!!

shellita

Yeah me too, well fingers crossed

Hope it goes well for you

becm

Thanks and you too - fingers and toes crossed at this stage! :eek:

Sonshine

Hi folks! I did the interview in December too, I thought Irish was just ok. Thought they'd ask more general questions like family etc but I think I answered most and managed to understand them! The English went well I thought but it's just so hard to know what they're looking for. I keep thinking did I say all I had to say etc but sure it really is just a waiting game!
Oh god jan 6th?! I'm dying to get the letter but dreading it at the same time :-/ not getting my hopes up as I know there's so few spaces! Does anyone know the figures actually for each colleges candidate allowance??

shellita

I put the number of places from last year in another post :
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87601532

becm

Yeah, I was speaking with someone the day of the interview who said that apparently (for Pat's anyways) it's about a one in four/five chance based on the numbers who applied. :eek:

shellita

Yeah theres definitely a lot of interest, I really hope I get it! Good luck too

becm

Good luck to everyone.

Guys would ye mind letting know when ye get word? I'm fairly cracking up with the waiting - and I don't know if everyone gets the news, whether good or bad, the same day...I just don't want to be waiting until this time next week and thinking it's a possibility if it's not!

Sonshine

Thanks for that shellita! Typical that I picked the lowest chance first with froebel but it's the one I feel appeals to me the most! I'll let you know either way :-) good luck everyone fingers crossed!

becm

Hope everyone is holding up ok, I think I'm cracking up, checking my emails every few minutes even though I know it's too early!

shellita

ha im in work all week so too busy to think about it

I am trying to be positive, I answered all their questions and talked in both interviews if its not enough then I'll try again, but really want it !

becm

Haha I'm in work too and even that can't make me stop thinking about it!

Have you looked at Hibernia if you don't? I have but I don't know that the structure of it would suit me. Was thinking of the UK too as I know someone doing it there....all so up in the air til I find out about this though - ah!!!

shellita

I looked into the UK about 3 years ago and then was looking at college and hibernia but decided I want college

becm

Yeah I'm the same re: Hibernia. Might give the UK a try though I know it's not ideal.

Good luck anyways (I'm going to try and forget about it for a while...)

Sonshine

I think it's by post we find out not email, that's just going on what people who did the course in the past have told me! This is going to be the longest weekend ever :-( I'm going to apply to Hibernia but UK isn't an option for me unfortunately! It's such a weird feeling this waiting....nervous, excited and dread all rolled into one! Ughhhh!

becm

Has the postman brought news for anyone yet this morning?! Longest weekend of my life!

Sonshine

Haha! Same! Nope mine doesn't tend to arrive till nearly noon :-( I'm wondering now though will it only be today that they're posting them out, most people are only back in work today :-/

becm

Yeah I thought that too....that it might be some day this week. The waiting is killing me, I need to know at this stage because I can't let myself think about it either way - ahhhhh!!!

shellita

Pats will contact us by email tomorrow, my friend just rang them

becm

Thanks Shellita for that - I had emailed them but they said they didn't know...

:eek:

Sonshine

I know I'm the same everything is all up in the air until I know the outcome. Stress!

Sonshine

Post came.....no letter :,-(

becm

Sonshine wrote: »

Post came.....no letter :,-(

Ugh so annoying!! But I was onto them this morning and they said that they are aiming to get the letters out this week...so we will know by email first, and potentially by the log on page first too cause that seems to be down at the minute which could mean it's being updated?! Sorry I'm being such a speculator but I really, really want it and really want to know now so if I don't I can start making alternative plans!!

Sonshine

I wonder if that's only for those that applied with pats as no1? I put froebel down first :-(

shellita

I did too Sonshine, I feel sick thinking about having to apply again if I don't get a place.

I really fell apart in the Irish but I did talk when they let me!

I heard it was 4/5 ppl interviewed for every place being offered.

becm

Guys...

http://www.spd.dcu.ie/site/prospective_students/grad_dip.shtml

I don't know if it will be for everyone or just people who applied for Pats but worth a look.

Oh Jesus....:eek:

shellita

BECM did you post the wrong link?

That just points to the requirements to apply..etc.

What are you saying Oh Jesus about?

becm

The link when I post it has

'Applicants may check their Application here

on Monday 6th January after 3:00pm.'

http://www.spd.dcu.ie/site/prospective_students/grad_dip.shtml

Maybe it's not posting correctly but it is the main page regarding the course!

shellita

ah I see, thanks

becm

Sorry for the panic, I'm just a bit panicked in general! Best of luck!!

Sonshine

I went on to their web page when you mentioned it might go up there (your speculation was right haha!) I know shellita it's a crazy demand for places but I wouldn't be too hard on yourself for the Irish, really it's to know you can speak it a bit and that you understand their questions etc the most important is the English and even then it's too difficult to know what they're looking for :-(

Sonshine

Didn't get in :-( back to the drawing board!!!

becm

Same!

shellita

Sorry to hear that Sonshine and becm, hope it works out for you.

Im not checking till I get home

Sonshine

I'll reapply for sept wave hopefully and send off my application for Hibernia in the meantime! Best of luck shellita hope you get it!!!!

Cakewheels

Hi everyone,
I wasn't applying this round but just asking here since some of ye probably know! Wondering if there will be entry for the new 2 year primary course in September 2014 or not till 2015? Also wondering if it will be considered a Masters in the main colleges, as Hibernia referred to their new programme as a 'Professional Masters in Education'. At the moment the Graduate Diploma is allowable for a Back to Education grant for eligible people but wondering if this will still apply from next September onwards. (As Back to Education is usually not allowable on ordinary Masters courses, the only post-grad it is granted for are higher diplomas and this graduate diploma).

banc

Hi, I was wondering the same as above. Is there a course starting in Septmber 2014? Also if this is a masters course is it only for those that have done primary teaching as an undergraduate or is it for all post graduates? Any information at all would be really helpful!

shellita

Didn't get in either very upset

Sonshine

It's heartbreaking isn't it shellita :,-(

To be honest I'm not sure what the story is with sept 2014 I haven't properly looked into it, I just assumed the 2014 course although 2yrs, will go ahead as normal? Sorry I can't be of anymore help!

amnew

It doesnt give much information yet, only that itll be 2 years from September. They probably wont update until after this course starts. I was lucky enough to get it this year. It will be classed as a Masters though so I assume that will effect fees, but itll be good in terms of grants

shellita

yep Sonshine, but after a good cry, you just have ot get back into it.

Listening to upbeat music to try and not cry!!!
Feck it what can we do, just try again.

shellita

Amnew, congrats on getting a place. Would you mind giving us a bit of info about what you were asked please in the 2 interviews

what college did you go for?

Howyaaaaa7

Hi everyone, sorry to hear most people didn't get it. It just shows how tricky it is to get in. I'm currently studying the irish for the LC now to get my c3 I'm just wondering what types of questions you were asked in both English and irish? I am interested to hear what they were asking!!

Thanks

becm

Hey, this is what I got asked:

English

Asked why I want to teach
Why now, why not when I did my leaving cert?
Why not secondary?
How do you deal with stress?
Traits and characteristics I have suitable to teaching

Irish
Tell me about yourself
Asked where I went to college and about the people I went to college with
Asked why I wanted to be a teacher
What characteristics does a teacher need
Discipline which led to the MC use for kids misbehaving

....the competition for places is crazy though. I got my grades from the interview the other day and scored very well in both and still didn't get offered a place. Very disheartening.

amnew

I still havent gotten my results so Im unsure of how well I did in each. In my English they asked me:

Why I want to be a teacher
Why Froebel as my first choice
About my hobbies
About my travelling(what i learned about myself from being away from home)
We talked about children today, difficulties teachers face, change in society,
how teachers constantly need to adapt
Asked me had I any questions, I asked a couple.
We talked about technology and how it affects children in school now

Thats all I can think of!

I had Froebel 1 Pats 2 Marino 3, and got Froebel