[marybeth]

Miriam,

Can you give me more information about the 18 month primary teaching conversion course you told CAT2008 about?
I have a level 8 degree in accounting with a pass grade which I got in my early thirties as a mature student and am now in my early forties and just don't know where I'm going with accounting now that I'm unemployed in the recession after never being content at it. My very first career idea as a kid and often wondered about since was teaching - primary or secondary. Maybe first instincts are best.
Is this course available in Dublin anywhere and is there any funding available when I have a level 8 degree already? I know there are some exceptions to back to education allowance for education but not sure if this is covered. Do I have to pay fees if I get on it and might I with a Level 8 pass grade?
Is there any cover for fees for the H.Dip.Ed - 2 year part-time option in DCU and would I have to sign off unemployment benefet and again what would be my chances of admission with a pass grade? The degree does cover me for teaching accounting, businesss and economics to leaving cert. honours if I got the H.Dip.Ed according to the department's website.
All advice will be gratefully welcomed.

[Minitonka]

For the Primary Education 18 month conversion course you would require a Level 8 degree plus having got a minimum of C3 in higher Irish, C3 in Ordinary English and D3 in Ordinary Maths in your Leaving whenever you did it. That conversion course is available at the discretion of the Department of Education and Science from one year to the next. It depends on the demand for teachers. There is no guarantee it will be on offer in 2010. It is usually offered by most of the Colleges of Education (except CICE). St. Patrick's, Drumcondra, Froebel College in Blackrock and Colaiste Mhuire, Marino would be the Dublin colleges. You will have to watch the ads in the paper around September/October or thereabouts to see if it is being offered. Taking into consideration all the cut-backs where teachers are concerned, it may be doubtful. It may also be available online with Hibernia College over two years. See www.hiberniacollege.net. For any information on grants etc, please contact your local VEC or Co.Council. I doubt if there would be any grant for the part-time option in DCU but check with them, just in case. Double check your degree on the Teaching Council's website to be sure it is approved. See www.teachingcouncil.ie. Sorry I do not know anything about signing off or what your chances of admission would be.

[august]

Hi,
Any advice would be really appreciated. I am currently working in admin but I am considering returning to college to become a primary school teacher. I have a degree in sociology from UCD and a masters, I also have the leaving cert requirements for a mature student, except for the C3 in higher level Irish. I have a C in pass Irish, it was never a strong subject for me throughout my school years. However, I would really like to become a primary school teacher so I am considering repeating the Irish next June 2011. Has anyone sucessfully attempted this and if so, how difficult was it? Also, could anyone give me advice in regards to Irish grinds? Is it better to do the Irish course in the Institute on Leeson Street or would one-one grinds be better for learning a language? so confused any advice or personal experiences would be really really helpful!