The Postgraduate Certificate in German for Teaching as Post-Primary Level aims to provide domestic and international candidates with an opportunity to complete the subject-specific credits they require in order to be able to submit themselves for accreditation through the Teaching Council of Ireland. It is particularly suitable for holders of a BA and HDip/PME who already teach in the post-primary system and want to add German as an additional subject to their skillset; it will also be of interest to international candidates (including native speakers of German), who have completed their teacher education, have had it approved by the Teaching Council, but require up to 30 ECTS credits in German to register as teachers of the language.
This programme has been specifically tailored to meeting the Teaching Council of Ireland's requirements for registration as an accredited German teacher at post-primary level. The programme follows a three-pronged approach by offering intensive studies in the areas of German language skills; literary, cultural and film studies of the German-speaking world; and German linguistics and language pedagogy. In this way, it aims to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of important concepts in German language and literature, culture and society, including their didactic and methodological application.
Prospective candidates may qualify for partial funding of this programme through the Post-Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI). See here for further details.
Applicants can choose up to 30 ECTS from the following modules:
| Module code |
Module title |
Semester 1,2, or full year |
New or existing module |
Compulsory or optional module. |
Credit weight |
| GN611 |
Translation: German to English |
1 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| GN616A |
New Trends in German Literature |
1 |
Existing |
Optional |
10 |
| GN319A |
Deutschsprachiger Film der Gegenwart |
1 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| GN618A |
Introduction to German Linguistics |
1 |
Existing |
Optional |
10 |
| GN612A |
Introduction to Intercultural Studies |
1 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| GN621A |
Translation: English to German |
2 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| GN321B |
Engaging with German-Language Culture 3B |
2 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| GN622A |
Methodologies for Teaching German as a Foreign Language |
2 |
Existing |
Optional |
10 |
| GN627 |
Narratives of Conflict in German Culture |
2 |
Existing |
Optional |
5 |
| Year |
Total of credits for the year |
|
|
|
60 |
NB: Prospective candidates who are undertaking the programme in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements for German are strongly advised to consult with the Teaching Council regarding the number and type of credits that they must complete.
Course Duration: 1 year Full-time, 2 years Part-time
Career Options
The Postgraduate Certificate in German for Teaching at Post-Primary Level is intended for candidates who already possess at least 30 ECTS of subject-specific credits in German and a Professional Masters of Education (PME) or equivalent (e.g. Lehramt) or those who intend on pursuing a PME upon completion of this Postgraduate Certificate with the end goal of becoming fully accredited post-primary teachers of German in Ireland.
