Gaeilgeoir Guides

Categories
Hibernia College Irish for Primary Uncategorized

Hibernia College Irish Interview: Tips for Success

 

If you’re applying for the Professional Master of Education in Primary Education (PMEP) at Hibernia College, you’ll need to pass a key interview as part of the admissions process. This interview tests your suitability to teaching and, importantly, your proficiency in the Irish language (Gaeilge). It’s a competitive process, so preparation is essential to ensure you stand out.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Hibernia College Irish Interview, including how to prepare, what to expect, and practical tips for success.

What is the Hibernia College Irish Interview?

The Hibernia College Irish Interview is a crucial part of the selection process for the PMEP at Hibernia College. It assesses your ability to communicate in Irish, which is vital for teaching in primary schools since Irish is a core subject in the curriculum.

The interview takes place on the same day as the general teaching interview, but you’ll be given the option to choose whether to do the Irish interview first or second.

Pro Tip: We recommend applicants choose to do the Irish component of the interview first. Since the examiner won’t know anything about you yet, this helps avoid the risk of them diving into topics you may have already discussed during the English interview.

Structure of the Hibernia College Irish Interview

The Irish portion of the interview lasts about 10-12 minutes and is conducted by an examiner who will ask you questions in Irish. You will be evaluated on several key areas:

  1. Communication Skills – How well you can express yourself in Irish.
  2. Fluency – Your ability to speak naturally and continuously.
  3. Vocabulary – The range of words you use and how appropriate they are.
  4. Comprehension – How well you understand the examiner’s questions.
  5. Accuracy – The correctness of your grammar and pronunciation.

The interview is designed to assess whether you can teach Irish in a classroom or if you have the potential to improve your skills to that level during the PMEP.

What Level of Irish is Required?

While you don’t need to be perfectly fluent, the interviewers will expect you to have a strong command of the Irish language. You should be able to engage in a fluid conversation on various topics and respond accurately to questions. This includes demonstrating:

  • Clear and confident communication.
  • Accurate use of grammar and pronunciation.
  • A good understanding of common vocabulary and conversational phrases.

Remember, Irish is a core part of the primary school curriculum, and you’ll need to be able to teach it effectively. While the interview won’t expect you to be a native-level speaker, you should demonstrate that you can reach the required level during the course of your studies.

How to Prepare for the Irish Interview

Preparing for the Irish interview requires a focus on improving your language skills in the areas of speaking, listening, and comprehension. Here are some essential tips to get you started:

1. Practice Conversational Irish Daily

To perform well in the interview, you need to be comfortable speaking Irish naturally. Practice regularly by:

  • Speaking with fluent friends, colleagues, or language tutors.
  • Participating in Irish conversation groups.
  • Try and find a local conversation group where you can practice your Irish in a natural setting. 
  • Be sure to do some mock orals with teachers who are familiar with the exam and layout.

2. Familiarise Yourself with Common Topics

The interview may cover a range of everyday topics such as:

    • Your area.
    • Your hobbies and personal interests.
  • Why you want to become a teacher.
  • The best teacher you have ever had.
  • Your thoughts on the importance of teaching Irish in schools.
  • Technology and its role in the classroom

Prepare to discuss these topics in Irish by practicing responses to similar questions. Do not learn off large paragraphs and try to regurgitate this in the exam. It is important to demonstrate your ability to hold a natural & fluid conversation.

3. Listen to Irish Conversations

Improving your comprehension is just as important as speaking. You can boost your listening skills by:

  • Watching Irish-language TV shows and news programs.
  • Listening to Irish-language podcasts or radio.
  • Engaging in conversations with fluent speakers.

This will help you become more comfortable with different accents and speaking speeds.

4. Focus on Fluency Over Perfection

It’s natural to make small mistakes, but it’s more important to keep the conversation flowing. Don’t overthink your answers or worry too much about minor errors. Instead, focus on speaking confidently and maintaining a good rhythm.

5. Review Your Grammar

Though fluency is key, you should still aim to use proper grammar. Be sure to learn the tenses so you can recognise which tense the question is asked in and respond correctly in the same tense.

6. Consider an Online Preparation Course

At Gaeilgeoir Guides, we offer a specialised preparation course designed specifically for students preparing for the Irish entrance interview to Hibernia College’s Professional Master of Education (Primary). 

We are Ireland’s longest-running course, led by Éamon Ó Corcráin, whose students consistently achieve a high success rate. 

Each course comes with a grammar and notes book posted to your door that equips you with everything you need to be successful.

Categories
Hibernia College Irish for Primary Uncategorized

Entry Requirements for Hibernia College Primary Teaching Program

The Hibernia College Entry Requirements, this is a questions we get asked on the weekly. So, we decided to put together a blog post for you on it. We hope you enjoy!

Introduction to Hibernia College

Hibernia College is a leading provider of teacher education in Ireland, offering Master’s programs in Post-Primary and Primary Teaching, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. These programs are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and The Teaching Council, and are recognized by the Department of Education and Skills (DES).

Their Professional Master of Education in Primary Education (PME in Primary Education) combines online learning with in-person classes, making it accessible to students throughout Ireland.

Hibernia College Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Degree

To apply for the PME in Primary Education program, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree that’s Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Your degree should have at least 180 ECTS credits, regardless of your grade or the subject you studied.

Minimum Leaving Certificate Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum Leaving Certificate requirements as set by the Department of Education:

Gaeilge

  • C2 in Higher Level (H4 equivalent)

English

  • C2 in Ordinary Level (O4 equivalent) or
  • E in Higher Level (H7 equivalent)

Mathematics

  • C2 in Ordinary Level (O4 equivalent) or
  • E in Higher Level (H7 equivalent)

What do I do if I do not have a H4/C2 In Leaving Certificate Irish?

If you do not have a H4/C2 in Higher Level Leaving Certificate Irish you have two options. 

  1. Repeat Leaving Certificate Irish
  2. Pass the TEG B2 Full Exam

Should I do the TEG B2 or Repeat Leaving Certificate Irish?

TEG B2 or Repeat Leaving Cert Irish
As a teacher with experience in preparing students for both exams, my advice is to choose carefully based on your current level of spoken Irish. 

If you’re confident in your spoken Irish, perhaps you’ve taken refresher courses and use Irish regularly, then the TEG B2 exam would be suitable. It assesses your language skills in unpredictable situations, testing your ability to apply the grammar and vocabulary you know.

On the other hand, if you have not spoken Irish in quite some time, I recommend considering repeating the Leaving Certificate Irish exam. This exam focuses more on content and places you in a more predictable testing environment, making it easier to prepare for.

We have a full guide available on our Irish for Primary Teaching Page.

University Application Requirements

Once students have satisfied the State Level Requirements they must sit an English and Irish interview.

English Interview

The English interview is a key part of getting into the PME in Primary Education at Hibernia College. It tests your ability to communicate, think critically, and express ideas clearly. This interview usually involves a 20-minute general discussion on teaching-related topics.

Irish Interview

The Irish interview checks your proficiency in the Irish language, which is necessary for teaching in Ireland. It includes a general conversation and questions about teaching.

Alternatives to the Hibernia Irish Interview

Instead of the Irish interview, you can take the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) B1 Irish Oral exam. Scoring at least 65% on this exam can exempt you from the Irish interview requirement.

Alternative Entry Requirements

For those who do not meet the traditional Leaving Certificate requirements, Hibernia College accepts several alternative qualifications:

GCSE/GCE A Level Requirements

  • Minimum grade C in GCE A Level Gaeilge
  • Minimum grade C in both GCSE English and English Literature
  • Minimum grade B in GCSE English or English Literature
  • Minimum grade D in GCSE Additional Mathematics or minimum grade C at GCSE level in Mathematics

Alternatives for Gaeilge

  • Repeating Leaving Certificate Irish
  • Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish) from University College Cork
  • Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge (Leibhéal B2) from University of Galway
  • Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach from University College Dublin
  • Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge from Maynooth University
  • Diploma in Irish from the University of Ulster
  • Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Leibhéal B2 (Meánleibhéal 2) from Maynooth University
  • Minimum grade C in the NUI matriculation exam (pre-1992)

Alternatives for Mathematics

  • A pass grade in Mathematics in the Matriculation examination (up to 1992)
  • A merit grade (65–79%) or distinction grade (80–100%) in QQI Level 5 Mathematics course (5N 1833)

Please note that these are the only accepted entry requirements as per the Department of Education. Hibernia College cannot accept any alternative qualifications beyond those specified.

Contact Information

For further details or assistance with the application process, prospective students can contact Hibernia College through the following:

  • Website: Hibernia College
  • Email: advisor@hiberniacollege.net
  • Phone: (01) 661 0168 (press 2)

For more information on the PME in Primary Education program and to start your application, visit the Hibernia College PME Program Page.

By adhering to these entry requirements, Hibernia College ensures that all candidates are well-prepared to embark on a successful journey in primary education, equipped with the necessary academic background and practical skills.

For some advice on the Irish requirements feel free to contact us by email: info@gaeilgeoirguides.com