Spanish for Teaching at Post Primary Level

It is particularly suitable for holders of a BA and HDip/PME who already teach in the post-primary system and want to add Spanish as an additional subject to their skillset; it will also be of interest to international candidates (including native speakers of Spanish), who have completed their teacher education, have had it approved by the Teaching Council, but require up to 20 ECTS credits in Spanish to register as teachers of the language.



This programme has been specifically tailored to meet the Teaching Council of Ireland’s requirements for registration as an accredited Spanish teacher at post-primary level. The programme offers intensive studies in the areas of Spanish translation, literary/cultural studies of the Spanish-speaking world, and Spanish language pedagogy. In this way, it aims to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of important concepts in Spanish 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). See here for further details.



IMPORTANT: This programme does not involve professional accreditation. It allows applicants to register for up to 20 ECTS from a range of Spanish-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 Spanish. 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 modules:



Module code/ Module title/ Semester 1, 2, or full year / New or existing module / Compulsory or optional module / Credit weight



SPA638 Border Crossers and Borderlands: Mexican and Chicana/o Studies 1 New Optional 10



SPA644 Narratives of Conflict—Spain 1 New Optional 10



SPA646 Methodologies for Teaching Spanish module as a Foreign Language 1 New Optional 10



SPA622 Advanced Translation I 1 Existing Optional 5 SPA641 Advanced Translation II 2 Existing Optional 5



SPA637 Crime Narrative and Globalisation in the Americas 2 New Optional 10



SPA643 Narratives of Conflict—Latin American Documentary Film 2 New Optional 10



Year Total credits for the year 20



NB: Prospective candidates who are undertaking the programme in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements for Spanish 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 Spanish Studies or a cognate discipline (e.g. linguistics, 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 Spanish and C1.1 in English. You will be required to provide one of the following:



a) Documentation from a previous institution/course in which the proficiency acquired is deemed to be commensurate with B2.2



b) Where this is not available, you could complete a “SIELE” exam to confirm level of proficiency. The Cervantes Institute in Dublin, for example, would facilitate these exams.



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 Spanish for Teaching at Post-Primary Level is intended for candidates who already possess at least 40 ECTS of subject-specific credits in Spanish 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 Spanish in Ireland.