Course Structure:

Irish-medium Education is offered as an optional route through the B.Ed.(Hons) degree course.  This choice offers B.Ed. students the opportunity to take the B.Ed. course bilingually (Irish and English) and to gain meaningful  insights into educational issues relevant to immersion teaching.  This option is open to students from all main subject areas.

Students are awarded a Certificate in Bilingual Education in addition to their B.Ed. Degree qualification.  These qualifications reflect the specialist knowledge and skills of  new graduates wishing to apply for a position in Irish-medium primary and nursery schools as well as in schools within the English-medium sector.

The content of the degree course is based on the requirements of the N.I.Curriculum.  Throughout the four years of the course, the B.Ed. modules will have a bilingual dimension. Students will spend one or two of their four blocks of Teaching Experience in an Irish-medium nursery or primary school and the remaining blocks in an English-medium school. Some elements of the course are taught through Irish in Year 1 and Year 2. An intense Irish-medium experience can be enjoyed in Years Three and Four. The language profile of the course is outlined below:

Why choose an Irish-medium route at St Mary’s University College? 

Students select Irish-medium education at St. Mary’s University College because : 

• Irish-medium schools and units are growing throughout the country and offer excellent professional opportunities to teachers and others.

“ In the future, I would like a post in an Irish-medium school and to use the language teaching children.”     Máire Nig Uidhir,  B.Ed.4

“ I love Irish and want to be an Irish-medium teacher,  particularly as I attended an Irish-medium primary school myself.”  Duailtín Ní Mhianáin,  B.Ed.4

• This bilingual course is a stimulating and interesting route through the B.Ed. and offers both practical and theoretical insights into the advantages  and challenges of learning through a second language.

“ I have always been interested in Irish and in teaching and the excellence of this course at St.Mary’s is well known.”  Charlene Ní Bhrádaigh,  B.Ed.4

• An appreciation of the importance of Irish is best communicated by using the language in every day life. Learning and teaching through the medium of the language is a very rewarding and fulfilling way to experience  some of the advantages that the language offers.

“ I have always been interested in the Irish language and culture. The Irish-medium degree course  gives me the opportunity to spend blocks of Teaching Experience in both English and Irish-medium schools and to learn about bilingual education.”  Joanne Nic Gilla Earna,  B.Ed. 4.

How can I apply for the B.Ed. Hons. (Bilingual)? 

Students can apply for the Irish-medium route through their degree course once they have been offered a place at St. Mary’s University College.  Students are invited to consider this bilingual option during the First Year induction week at St.Mary’s  and to be interviewed for this course.

Competence in Irish is required.  Usually, this means an A Level or the equivalent qualification in the language.

It is not necessary to be a student in the area of main subject Irish.  Students who are in other Departments (eg  P.E., Religious Studies, Music,  History,  etc.)  and who are competent in Irish are welcome.