French for Teaching at Post Primary Level

The Professional Certificate in French for Teaching as Post-Primary Level aims to provide domestic and international candidates with an opportunity to complete the subject-specific credits they require in order to be able to submit themselves for accreditation through the Teaching Council of Ireland. It is particularly suitable for holders of a BA and HDip/PME who already teach in the post-primary system and want to add French as an additional subject to their skillset; it will also be of interest to international candidates (including native speakers of French), who have completed their teacher education, have had it approved by the Teaching Council, but require up to 20 ECTS credits in French to register as teachers of the language.



This programme has been specifically tailored to meeting the Teaching Council of Ireland's requirements for registration as an accredited French teacher at post-primary level. The programme follows a three-pronged approach by offering intensive studies in the areas of French language skills; literary, cultural and film studies of the French-speaking world; and French linguistics and language pedagogy. In this way, it aims to enhance students knowledge and understanding of important concepts in French language and literature, culture and society, including their didactic and methodological application.



Prospective candidates may qualify for partial funding of this programme through the Post-Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI).



Important: This programme does not involve professional accreditation. It allows applicants to register for up to 20 ECTS from a range of French-specific credits. Applicants can choose from these modules to put together a programme that complements their existing qualifications and thus allows them to meet the current Teaching Council requirements for French. In order to be accredited by the Teaching Council, all graduates of this programme must hold a PME or equivalent and will be required to submit themselves for individual evaluation by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Applicants can choose up to 20 ECTS from the following optional modules:

Semester 1

FR621 Advanced Translation 1 (5 ECTS)

FR633 Maternal Counternarratives 1 (10 ECTS)

FR339 French Linguistics (5 ECTS)

FR630 Narratives of Conflict in Twentieth Century France (5 ECTS)



Semester 2

FR340 Indigenous women’s writing in Quebec (5 ECTS)

FR635 Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching French as a Foreign Language (10 ECTS)

FR622 Advanced Translation 2 (5 ECTS)

FR624 Ecriture et Identité: Marguerite Yourcenar (10 ECTS)

FR619 Huguenot Life Writing (5 ECTS)



NB: Prospective candidates who are undertaking the programme in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements for French are strongly advised to consult with the Teaching Council regarding the number and type of credits that they must complete.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. Under normal circumstances, applicants should have a BA involving French Studies or a cognate discipline (e.g. linguistics or literary/cultural studies) with at least a 2.1 degree, or equivalent. Applicants whose previous history of education does not fit this profile are invited to contact the Programme Director to enquire about their eligibility to apply for the programme.



Minimum CEFR Proficiency level of B2.2 in French and C1.1 in English.



Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants.



National University of Ireland Maynooth’s TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

1 year Full-time, 2 years Part-time.

The Professional Certificate in French for Teaching at Post-Primary Level is intended for candidates who already possess at least 40 ECTS of subject-specific credits in French and a Professional Masters of Education (PME) or equivalent – or those who intend on pursuing a PME upon completion of this Professional Certificate – with the end goal of becoming fully accredited post-primary teachers of French in Ireland.