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The Professional Certificate in Spanish for Post-Primary Teaching equips both domestic and international candidates with the necessary subject credits for Teaching Council of Ireland accreditation. This program is ideal for BA and HDip/PME graduates currently teaching at post-primary level who wish to expand their qualifications by adding Spanish. It also serves international educators (including native Spanish speakers) who have Teaching Council-approved credentials but need up to 20 ECTS credits in Spanish for language teaching registration. Designed to fulfill Teaching Council requirements for Spanish teacher accreditation, the program focuses on intensive study of Spanish translation, Hispanic literary/cultural studies, and language teaching methods. Through this curriculum, students deepen their understanding of key Spanish language concepts, literature, cultural contexts, and their practical teaching applications.
Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. Under normal circumstances, applicants should have a BA involving Spanish Studies or a cognate discipline (e.g. linguistics, literary/cultural studies) with at least a 2.1 degree, or equivalent. Applicants whose previous history of education does not fit this profile are invited to contact the Programme Director to enquire about their eligibility to apply for the programme.
Minimum CEFR Proficiency level of B2.2 in Spanish and C1.1 in English. You will be required to provide one of the following:
a) Documentation from a previous institution/course in which the proficiency acquired is deemed to be commensurate with B2.2
b) Where this is not available, you could complete a SIELE exam to confirm level of proficiency. The Cervantes Institute in Dublin, for example, would facilitate these exams.
IELTS - 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band; TOEFL internet-based test iBT: 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in all other sections; Pearson Test of English - 63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section; Duolingo English Test (DET) - 120 with no less than 110 in literacy, conversation, and comprehension subscores and no less than 95 in production. (This lower production subscore applies to non-EU applicants only), Cambridge Proficiency Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English. Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Cambridge Advanced Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); ETAPP - C1 or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Oxford Test of English - 140 with no less than 125 in each skill.