The current requirements for the Gaeltacht Learning Period (GLP) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placement as outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
The Teaching Council Curricular Subject Requirements sets out the requirements for each of the approved curricular subjects in order to be eligible to register as a post primary teacher with the Council. For Gaeilge, these include a two month residential experience requirement. The registration requirements require graduates to be eligible to teach at least one curricular subject to the highest level within the post-primary schools curriculum.
The Gaeltacht Learning Period (GLP) is a compulsory element of all primary ITE programmes and one which must be meet by primary ITE graduates in order to register with the Teaching Council. The primary Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have developed an agreed syllabus for delivery by their Gaeltacht college providers, in order to comply with the current requirements for the GLP for primary ITE programmes as outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education .
Attendance at a programme of study in a Gaeltacht college is not a compulsory requirement for post-primary student teachers, unlike primary. As part of the current curricular subject requirements set by the Teaching Council for all post-primary languages (including Gaeilge), there is a residential experience requirement of a period of 2 months/8 weeks. Verifiable residential experience may be evidenced in a number of ways including:
- A copy of transcript of results which confirms residency in the country/area.
- A letter/statement from an employer/college/landlord in that country. For the subject of Irish/Gaeilge, the letter should evidence residency in a Gaeltacht area.
- For the subject of Irish/Gaeilge, evidence of being a native of a Gaeltacht area may be submitted or a letter/statement from a Gaelcholaiste confirming that attendance at a Post Primary Gaelcholáiste to Leaving Certificate level.
In light of the emergency measures being adopted in relation to Covid -19, the Teaching Council has introduced changes in relation to the residential experience requirement for graduates of post-primary languages programmes of ITE in summer 2021. These changes include the reduction of the requirement to 6 weeks given the current restrictions on travel and also student teachers who have not fully met the 6-week requirement when applying for registration with the Council, will be granted registration with conditions.
