If you have trained outside of Ireland and are returning to teach in Ireland, then completing your Irish Language requirement may be something that you are looking into. Upon registration with the Teaching Council, you have three years to complete this requirement.

Primary teachers who obtain their teaching qualification outside of the state are required to undertake the Irish Language Requirement in order to achieve full recognition as primary teachers within the Irish Republic. (ILRweb.ie)

This can be done in two ways:

• OCG (adaptation period and assessment).
• SCG (aptitude test).

 

Depending on which route you go down, you will have to complete:

• Written Exams
• Aural Exams
• Oral Exams
• 3 weeks in the Gaeltacht
• Lesson Observations

What is the SCG?

The SCG requires you to:

• Pass the written, aural, oral and practical elements of the Qualifying Irish Examination (Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge) (SCG) Further information on the SCG may be downloaded from the Irish Language Requirement Website www.ilrweb.ie; and
• Provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course or its aggregated equivalent either in one-week blocks, or in a combination of one-week and two-week blocks. (See ilrweb.ie for more information).

What is the OCG?

The OCG requires you to:

Exemptions available for the Irish Language Requirement

If you have completed Irish as part of a degree at any stage, like me, then you may be granted exemptions from certain parts of the course. Back in 2013, I completed my B.A. in Irish and Human Development. This allowed me to be exempt from:

• Written exams
• Oral exams
• Aural exams
• 1 week in the Gaeltacht

How?

While studying Irish as part of my B.A. degree, we spent one week in the Gaeltacht. This was recognised by Marino and as a result I now have only to complete:

1. 2 weeks in the Gaeltacht
2. 2 Irish lesson observations

Once these are completed within three years of registering with the Teaching Council, I will then have completed the Irish Language Requirement and will be fully recognised as a teacher in Ireland.

To apply for these exemptions, you enter the details of your Irish degree and Gaeltacht visit (if applicable) on your form, when applying for the OCG or SCG.

My experience of the OCG so far

You must apply for the OCG by the end of October in the school year that you wish to complete it. I applied in October 2020 with the intent to complete it by June 2021.

Due to Covid-19, all lesson observations were cancelled and an alternative method was given. I now have to produce two files based off two Irish lessons that I have taught. For more information, click here.

(Image taken from ILRweb.ie website- follow this link).

My advice for anyone completing their Irish Language Requirement

• Complete the Gaeltacht weeks (or even some of them) now while they are online. It will save you time, money and will be much more convenient. Even if you have not registered for your OCG or SCG yet, complete a week or two of the Gaeltacht online. Then when it comes to applying for your course, claim back the weeks at the Gaeltacht.

 

• Go down the OCG route if at all possible. I’ve heard from MANY teachers that it is much more doable than the SCG.

 

• If you are struggling with the course content, get grinds/tutoring. There are many tutors available in Marino, who know the course content inside out, who can guide you in the right directions.

 

Which Gaeltacht to attend?

Here is a list of the Gaeltacht collages that offer recognised Irish Language Requirement courses. Click here for more information.

When applying myself, I chose Coláiste Naomh Éanna. Already, I have been in touch with Máire and she has gone above and beyond to answer my questions and give information.

I’ll update my blog with how my week in the Gaeltacht goes next week. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via comment or message on my Instagram.

I recorded a webinar with Rahoo on further insights into the Irish Language Requirement. Even though the live webinar has past, you can watch it back and get sent all the handouts here: https://rahoo.ie/events/an-insight-into-the-irish-language-requirement/

All the best,