The Student Teach in Ireland Program
Inspire Learning offers Student Teaching Programs for Early Childhood (Montessori), Primary (Elementary) and Secondary (Middle School and High School) student teachers. Our programs are located in the beautiful West of Ireland, predominately in County Mayo. Student teachers are placed in schools that welcome the opportunity to host international student teachers; student teachers will move from observing the cooperating teacher to devising study plans to leading a class on their own.
Student teaching candidates are required to register with their home universities to obtain their requirements for earning academic credit for their student teaching experience. Participants in our Student Teach in Ireland program will be supervised by a certified Irish teacher, who will evaluate and mentor each student teacher on a weekly basis.
Program Details
Once you apply to the Student Teach in Ireland Program, your application will reviewed by a member of the Inspire Learning team. You will then be contacted either via phone, Skype/Facetime or email to learn more about your objectives for the program. After you have been accepted into the program, Inspire Learning will find a student teaching placement that best fits your professional and academic goals, language skills, and previous relevant experience.
Student teachers are assigned an Irish academic supervisor while student teaching in Ireland. Student teachers will be visited at their teaching site by their Irish academic supervisor at least twice during their placement; of course, the Irish academic supervisor is available anytime for informal calls, emails or visits should the student teachers need additional support.
Typically, the academic supervisor’s role entails coordinating with the student teacher’s University in order to provide the student teacher with a tailored program providing professional advice to the student teachers in relation to the academic aspects of teaching in Ireland. The Irish academic supervisor works on three specific areas with the student teachers:
Lesson plans: It is expected at early education and primary school level that student teachers will construct at least one formal lesson plan for each day. Secondary school student teachers will construct one lesson plan for each class level taught each day.
Thematic Unit Plan: Generally towards the end of the placement, the student teacher will plan a two-week unit of work based on a general theme (e.g. seasons, Christmas, etc.). During this period the lesson plans constructed to accompany the thematic unit plan are counted as formal lesson plans each day, so student teachers are not constructing any additional lesson plans in order to complete this task.
Reflective Journals: Each student teacher is required to write two reflective journal entries each week which show how their placement here in Ireland is benefitting them personally and professionally. Some examples of content for this journal may include: cultural differences, differences in teaching methodologies, ideas the US student teachers may try out here in Ireland, behavioral issues, etc.
Placements
Student teacher placements can be for either one half of a semester or a whole semester. Placements are generally in the beautiful West of Ireland, mainly in County Mayo. Accommodation is available through pre-approved host families or shared accommodation with other Irish teachers.
Placements are available for the following disciplines:
- Early Education (Montessori)
- Primary Education (approximately 5–12 years old)
- Secondary Education (approximately 13–18 years old)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have completed three years of their Education degree – early childhood, primary (elementary), or secondary (middle school and high school) – with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants must also have previous student teaching experience to participate in this international program.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Participants must have a very good level of spoken, read and writing English
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Programs are available for Autumn (September) or Spring (January) start.
PROGRAM FEES
| One half semester (approximately 8 weeks) | $1,300 |
| One full semester (approximately 16 weeks) | $2,000 |
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM COST?
| Customised placement |
| Irish Program Manager |
| Individual neighborhood orientation with instructions on how to get to your placement from your accommodation |
| Airport pick-up (Dublin placements only) |
| Train/bus station pick-up (placements other than Dublin) |
| Pre-departure guidance and handbook with information on the Irish school system |
| Email access to other Inspire Learning program participants in Ireland |
| Irish mobile phone rental |
| 24/7 emergency support |
| General support 7 days/week, during business hours |
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM COST?
| Roundtrip airfare to/from Ireland |
| Accommodation costs (accommodation will be arranged for interns, but is not included in program cost) |
| Meals |
| Daily transport |
| Personal expenses |
Before You Go Abroad
Visas and Immigration
A Practical Guide to Ireland Placement Handbook