Postgraduate Diploma in French for Teachers
Trinity College Dublin was selected to deliver this pilot upskilling programme, commencing in September 2025, on behalf of the Department of Education, aimed at increasing the number of qualified post-primary teachers in French in Ireland.Objectives
- The course allows the teacher participants to develop their language proficiency in French across all skills, to gain an in-depth knowledge of French language culture and to adapt and grow their pedagogical expertise and apply it to the teaching of French.
- Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, teacher participants will meet Teaching Council curricular subject requirements to teach French to Leaving Certificate level.
- Participants will be interested in developing their language proficiency in French, gaining in-depth knowledge of French language culture and growing their pedagogical expertise.
Funding
The programme is fully funded by the Department of Education, however participants are liable for their application and associated testing fees.Eligibility
- Admission to the programme is competitive. The course is designed for qualified, registered post-primary school teachers in Ireland who are not qualified or registered to teach French as a subject. Applicants will be expected to have an Honours Bachelor degree at 2.1 or above/equivalent and meet the admissions requirements published in the College Calendar (Part III).
- Applicants must provide evidence of level A2 in French according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- Applicants must confirm that they are able and willing to complete 4 weeks of French immersive learning in a French-speaking country. The programme includes an immersive language experience of 4 weeks total to be completed in the summer between years 1 and 2.
Programme structure
This is a two-year part-time programme. The first intake will be in September 2025, and is a part-time course of study. The programme is structured to provide flexible learning to participants, through a combination of online, pre-recorded, face-to-face instruction and cultural immersion, designed to accommodate teachers in both full and part-time roles, as well as those based across the country.
Classes will take place primarily online outside of school hours, to enable practising teachers to attend. There is a requirement for some in-person workshop days outside of school term time.
The Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in French for Teachers are designed as linked courses. Successful applicants are admitted directly to the one-year part-time Postgraduate Certificate of 30 ECTS in Year 1 and progress in Year 2 to the one-year part-time Postgraduate Diploma course.
Year 1: Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)*Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)
Progression to Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and registration to teach French with the Teaching Council is dependent on the completion of four weeks of immersive learning in a francophone country.
*The Postgraduate Certificate award will not qualify the participant to register with the Teaching Council.
Intake
Department of Education funding will support two cycles (two intakes) of the programme, commencing in September 2025 and September 2026 respectively. The programmes are funded for both intakes. The capacity for this programme is 45 participants in September 2025 and September 2026.Programme outline
The Diploma is a flexible part-time programme and the schedule is designed for teachers who are working full-time. The following is an outline of the modules offered, and may be subject to change.Year 1
i. French Language 1 (Semesters 1 and 2)
Through a range of activities, this two-term module provides participants with the linguistic competence necessary to be at a minimum level of B1.2 by the end of Year 1.
ii. France Today (Semester 1)
Drawing on key aspects of contemporary French politics and culture, the participants will build linguistic and analytical skills to share with future students.
iii. Language Curriculum and Policy: A Plurilingual Perspective (Semester 1)
This module explores the curriculum and policy context for French language teaching and learning in Ireland where the student body in schools has become much more linguistically and culturally diverse over recent years.
iv. France on Screen (Semester 2)
This module develops appreciation of France’s contribution to national and international culture through cinema and will equip with the skills to bring French culture to life in the classroom through film.
v. French Language Pedagogy 1: Planning for Inclusion (Semester 2)
The module enables students to explore how people learn languages, specifically French, what methods facilitate developing linguistic and intercultural competence, particularly in a classroom environment, and how to apply this knowledge in activities in diverse classrooms.
Year 2
i. French Language 2 (Semesters 1 and 2)
Through a range of activities, this two-term module provides participants with the linguistic competence necessary to be at a minimum level of B2.2 by the end of Year 2.
ii. The Francophone World (Semester 1)
This module develops participants’ understanding of the history of the francophone world and its changing social context.
iii. Français langue étrangère : research, pedagogy and practice (Semesters 1 and 2)
This module interrogates the research evidence base in FLÉ (Francais Langue Étrangère) to integrate the learning across language and culture modules in order to design for lessons that optimise opportunities for meaningful language use and communication in the classroom context.
iv. Literature and Society (Semester 2)
This module explores the important role of the French in literary history and how French-speaking authors have engaged with shifting historical and social contexts across poetry, stage and text.
Funded Immersive Language Experience
The Diploma includes funding for an obligatory immersive language school in France in the summer between years 1 and 2. The four-week experience (or two blocks of two weeks) allows teacher participant(s) to have an immersive experience in the language, to gain experience as independent users of French in a community setting environment.
The experience allows the participants to develop a sense of belonging to a French-language community, particularly through interacting with native speakers of French. Details of appropriate immersive experiences will be provided.
Admission requirements
- Evidence that you have achieved level A2 in French according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Testing can be completed through the Alliance française, two test dates will take place in June and July, contact us for more information.
- A copy of your academic transcripts for each year of third level study and all third level qualifications awarded. Please note that where the statement of examination results is in a language other than English, applicants should submit a certified true translation of the statement along with a certified true copy of their original results with the application
- Current CV
- A fully completed application (the application portal will be made live soon)
- Evidence that you are registered as a post-primary teacher (Route Two) with the Teaching Council
- Two references, one of which must be an academic reference
- If you are currently employed as a teacher, you will need a letter from the principal referring to the school's needs regarding the teaching of French
How to apply
Applications will open through Trinity’s applications portal shortly, please check this page regularly for updates.
There will be a virtual information session in June, date TBC.
Contact us
If you have specific queries on the Postgraduate Diploma in French for Teachers please email: french.teacher.diploma@tcd.ie.