New diploma course in Irish for art teachers
December 7, 2011
Each area of expertise tends to have its very own “language”. There’s enough jargon in business and finance, for example, to make your head spin! But if you’re a teacher, you’ll understand the importance of using the correct terminology to describe things. You’ll also appreciate how vital it is to appear fully confident and in control in front of your class.
With this in mind, a new course is being offered by the National College of Art and Design which is aimed at secondary school art teachers working in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, as well as primary school teachers who are interested in teaching art through Irish. The diploma course, which is being run in conjunction with Gaelchultúr, is a one-year part-time programme running over two semesters and will commence in January 2012.
“The course aims to give participants the language skills that will enable them to teach art effectively through Irish,” says Éamonn Ó Dónaill, Gaelchultúr’s Director of Education, “and participate with confidence in school activities conducted through the language.”
The joint venture is receiving funding from a third party: An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). COGG’s Chief Executive, Muireann Ní Mhóráin, is anticipating a high level of demand for this course and for similar programmes in the years ahead.
“This course came about, to a large extent, as a result of feedback we were receiving from post-primary school principals working in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools. They were telling us about their difficulties in finding fluent Irish speakers qualified to teach accountancy or art or biology or whatever subject,” says Ní Mhóráin.
“It’s a different story for those involved in teaching the humanities or the more ‘traditional’ subjects – subjects such as history, geography, French or maths, for instance. Very often, a teacher of those subjects will have completed a BA with Irish as their second subject. But with the more practical subjects, we often find that teachers have never had an opportunity to learn the proper terminology to deliver their classes through the medium of Irish.”
Ní Mhóráin says that the framework of the new diploma course will be built upon and adapted to suit other subjects in the coming years. “We’re hoping to develop courses in the future in which participants will learn how to teach other practical subjects through the medium of Irish – metalwork, for example, woodwork and PE. These courses will be developed in conjunction with various third-level institutions.”
COGG has been organising summer courses for four years, catering for teachers of practical subjects who wish to improve their Irish. This new year-long course, however, differs from those short courses in that it is being run by a third-level institution and participants will be awarded a recognised qualification upon completing it.
Classroom tuition and e-learning will be combined in the course, giving participants the opportunity to undertake course work at home at times that suit them, without the pressure of having to attend weekly classes. Classes will take place in NCAD in Dublin on four Saturdays in Semester 1 and on four Saturdays in Semester 2. Learning materials and interactive lessons will be provided on the e-learning website ranganna.com (only a basic knowledge of computers is required to use this site).
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a recognised qualification in the teaching of art at post-primary level or a recognised primary teaching qualification. Applications will also be accepted from students currently undertaking the BA (Hons) in Art and Design Education course or Professional Diploma in Education. Applicants will be required to have a basic competence in Irish.
Course fee
The course fee of €1,500 can be paid in two instalments.
Application form / Information
Those wishing to apply for a place on the Diploma in Teaching through Irish (Art) should complete the course application form. The form is part of the course brochure, which can be downloaded from gaelchultur.com. Applicants will be asked to attend an interview as part of the application process.
For further information regarding the Diploma in Teaching through Irish (Art), please contact (01) 484 5220, write to eolas@gaelchultur.com or visit gaelchultur.com.
The deadline for applications is Friday, 16 December 2011.
