Irish language requirements for entry to PME (Primary teaching)
If you hold a third level degree you can apply for a place on a graduate training programme at one of the state-funded institutions, or through the privately funded Hibernia College, in order to qualify as a primary school teacher in Ireland.
The postgraduate qualification to qualify as a primary school teacher is called the Postgraduate Master of Education (Primary Teaching), or PME for short.
TEG B1 oral exam as a requirement
The B1 oral exam requirement is a requirement set down by the Department of Education and Skills, and ALL applicants must fulfill this requirement. This requirement is in addition to a minimum H4 result in Leaving Certificate Irish. (Contact the relevant institution if you do not have the required Leaving Certificate result as there are other ways that this requirement can be fulfilled).
Applicants for entry to the PME at the state-funded institutions must achieve at least 65% in the TEG B1 oral exam prior to the closing date for applications to the course.
The state-funded institutions are:
- Institute of Education (DCU)
- Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
- Froebel Institute (Maynooth University)
- Marino Institute of Education, Dublin
The TEG B1 oral exam for applicants to these courses is held in January and February each year, in various venues around the country. In certain years an extra date may be added after those months, depending on the enrollment quota for the year in question. This can happen if the Department of Education requests the Higher Education Institutions to take additional students for the PME, as happened in 2024 when the application deadline was extended, meaning that those who completed the TEG in May could potentially apply for the PME programme. This is not the usual situation however, and so if you are thinking of applying for a place on a PME programme you should be prepared to sit the exam in January/February in order to apply for your place on the PME programme starting in that calendar year.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Extra marks for scores above 65%
Marino Institute of Education award extra points to applicants who achieve scores of over 80% and over 90%. As places for entry to PME (Primary Teaching) are limited, and it is a competitive process to secure a place, this is an additional incentive to score as high a mark as possible in the TEG B1 oral exam.
No extra credit is given for marks over 65% in any of the other three institutions however.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
TEG requirement for Hibernia College
Hibernia College is a privately funded institution which also offers a very popular and well recognised PME (Primary Teaching). The Teaching Council of Ireland recognises the qualification awarded by Hibernia College and graduates are therefore qualified to teach in all state recognised primary schools in Ireland.
Applicants to the PME course at Hibernia College may choose to either do part of their application interview in Irish (the Irish part of the interview is approximately 10 minutes long), or achieve over 65% in the TEG B1 oral Irish exam.
When does the TEG B1 oral exam take place?
Special exam sittings are organised in January/February each year specifically for those intending to apply to a PME course. The closing date for applications is usually around 8th January. The dates for 2025 are not yet available. If you intend to apply for a place on the PME at any of the four state-funded institutions it is vital that your application for the TEG B1 oral exam is lodged before the closing date in early January.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Where does the TEG B1 oral exam take place?
Exam venues are located around the country, including Maynooth, Kerry, Cork and Galway.
Can I repeat the exam if I fail?
You can apply for a recheck of your result but you cannot repeat the exam itself. This is why it is vital that you ensure that you are well prepared as can be for the exam in January/February if you intend to apply for a place on a PME course in that particular year.
How long is my TEG result valid for?
Results are valid for two years.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Is it difficult to achieve 65% or more in the TEG B1 oral exam?
The table below shows that only 43% of applicants who sat the TEG B1 oral exam in January/February 2024 achieved the required grade of 65% or more.
Source: Chief Examiner's Report, 2024
Given that more than 50% of applicants do not manage to achieve the required grade it is vital to prepare properly, and in good time, for the exam.
What is the best way to prepare for the TEG B1 oral exam?
The best way to prepare for the TEG B1 oral exam is to enroll in a structured TEG B1 preparatory course. The All About Irish TEG B1 preparatory course is a structured programme with a mixture of live sessions every fortnight and online self-study content which can be accessed easily on the All About Irish app.
The online course content is designed to expand your vocabulary around each of the main topics likely to arise during your B1 oral Irish exam. You will also learn correct use of the basic structures of the language so that you can speak Irish with confidence on exam day.
The course is divided into 15 main categories, each focusing on a different topic (e.g. background and where you live; work matters; daily life; travel holidays). These are the everyday topics which will arise during the general conversation part of the oral exam. The course also contains practice tips and advice about how to tackle the role play and picture series parts of the oral exam.
The next B1 preparatory course starts on October 25th 2024.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Read more about the TEG system of certification here
Course Content
The online component of the course comprises modules built around each of the topics outlined in the TEG B1 exam syllabus. Each module contains a video outlining the vocabulary needed to discuss that particular topic, along with grammar tips as they arise within the topic. Each module also contains listening practice and reading practice, designed to boost your vocabulary, which is vital for success in the oral examination. Multichoice quizzes will test your knowledge. All of the course content is easily accessible using the free All About Irish app.
Live components of the course include a live lesson each month and a facilitated ciorcal comhrá.
Masterclasses specifically focused on the oral examination
Along with all of the content and live sessions outlined above the course includes two masterclasses specifically focused on the oral examination. These masterclasses will take place in January/February (exact dates and times will be set down once the TEG exam dates are available). The masterclasses will be recorded for those who cannot attend live, and will focus on all three parts of the oral examination:
- General conversation
- Role play
- Picture series
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Your questions answered as they arise
The TEG B1 preparatory course comes with full support - ask me any questions as they arise during your study, either in the live sessions, by email, or through the All About Irish app. You will feel fully supported on your journey towards success in the TEG B1 oral Irish exam.
Learn with others
Through the live sessions you will be encouraged to pair up with others who are also preparing for the TEG B1 exam so that you can organise your own informal meet-ups to practice Irish together at a time that suits you. By doing this you will greatly increase your chances of achieving over 65% in the exam in Spring 2025 and ensuring that you get a place on a PME course in 2025.
Click here for information about the All About Irish B1 level prep course
Read more about the TEG system of certification here
