Postgraduate Diploma in French for Teachers

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.

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.

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.

What form does my learning take?

• Live online seminars (2-3 hours per week, term time only).
• Pre-recorded lectures.
• 2 in-person workshop days on campus, on Saturdays.
• Exercises / homework / pre-reading provided.

What level of attendance is expected?

We take attendance in classes and in-person workshops. We expect a minimum attendance of 70%.

What is expected in the online classes?

We expect, as far as it is possible, that cameras are on and that all students are able to engage with and respond to questions in the live synchronous classes. Any relevant pre-reading / pre-viewing should be completed before the class.

Where can I find information on postgraduate orientation?

Timetables and other details for postgraduate students are available from the Academic Registry.

What form will the assessment take?

Assessment will primarily be assignments prepared at home, including essays, blogs, podcasts and e-portfolios. Some of these are to be prepared in pairs / groups.

Some assessment will be live, but will take place online during the Revision and Assessment Period. The precise dates for these will be released in due course.

Further information on individual assignments is available on Blackboard on each module.

When is the Immersion?

The immersion will take place during the Summer between Year 1 and 2 for 4 weeks.

What is possible for the immersion?

We are creating agreements with partner institutions so that we can offer funded experiences that include immersive classes and accommodation. Likely possibilities are in Toulouse and Normandy.

The Department of Education has committed to cover the costs for the individual student's immersive experience. There will be a travel grant also towards travel for the individual student.

If any student does not wish to avail of the immersion and/or accommodation offered, or it doesn’t suit their or their family’s needs, they are responsible for finding a suitable alternative and covering any additional costs. 

Do I have to do the immersion?

Progression to P.Grad.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.​ 

Those who have spent a significant time in a francophone setting will have the opportunity to apply to have the requirement waived.

When considering cases, what will be considered is:

1. time spent in a francophone country already.
2. the level of knowledge of French language and culture of the candidate, as both are requirements for the Teaching Council.

If needed, there is a separate process for exceptional extenuating circumstances e.g. severe illness. The Teaching Council has indicated that for those deemed to have extenuating circumstances, 2 weeks of the immersion could be completed in the Alliance française in Dublin, but the other 2 weeks would still need to be in France.