| Code | CSIR |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 months |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 |
| Fees | 鈧�990 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | Round One: 26 June 2026 |
| Next Intake | September 2026 |
| Venue | O’Rahilly Building UCC Campus |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
Course Outline
Tá sé mar aidhm ag an gcúrsa seo cabhair a thabhairt do mhic léinn an chúrsa scileanna a fhorbairt ionas go mbeidh siad in ann an Ghaeilge a labhairt i gcomhthéacs sóisialta agus i gcomhthéacs na hoibre. Cuirfear béim ar chruinneas (maidir le gramadach agus stór focal), ar chruinneas ó thaobh na foghraíochta de, ar chruthú dialóg, ar chleachtas na scéalaíochta agus ar pháirt a ghlacadh in agallaimh as Gaeilge. Tá sé ar cheann de spriocanna an chúrsa seo go mbainfeadh na mic léinn leibhéal B1 (CEFR) amach sa Ghaeilge. Cabhróidh an líofacht sa Ghaeilge, a bhainfidh na mic léinn amach sa chúrsa seo, leo a bheith mar fhoghlaimeoir buan Gaeilge ar feadh a saoil. Cabhróidh an líofacht seo leis an bpobal Gaeilge ina iomláine agus cuirfidh sé feabhas ar stádas na Gaeilge, ag cothú gréasáin chainteoirí Gaeilge agus ag méadú na n-ócaidí ina labhrófar Gaeilge. Tabharfar eolas chomh maith do na mic léinn faoi na foinsí Gaeilge atá ar fáil dóibh.
This course aims to equip students with the skills to be able to speak Irish socially and in the workplace. Emphasis will be placed on accuracy (grammar and vocab), accuracy in pronunciation, dialogue building, storytelling and interview skills in Irish. One of the goals of the course is for students to reach B1 (CEFR) level of Irish. By promoting fluency among adult learners, the Certificate in Spoken Irish will help them to become lifelong learners of Irish. It will bolster the Irish language community and improve the status of Irish, creating new networks of Irish speakers and increasing the occasions when Irish is spoken while at the same time making students aware of the language resources available to them. Please see a video below in irish about the course.
Modules
The Modules for the Certificate are as follows:
: Cruinneas i labhairt na Gaeilge: gramadach agus stór focal
: Cruinneas i labhairt na Gaeilge: ó thaobh na foghraíochta de
: Dialogue Building (Cruthú dialóg as Gaeilge)
: Storytelling in Irish (Tábhacht na scéalaíochta agus cleachtas na scéalaíochta)
: Interviews in Irish (Ullmhú le haghaidh agallamh as Gaeilge)
- All modules will contain Continuous Assessment as well as final exams.
- The final exams of the modules will take place in the final week of the module.
- Every student is encouraged to attend 100% of each module and no less than 80% without a medical certificate or other documentary evidence to explain the absence.
Lecture Schedule:
- The course will be taught face-to-face in the case of four of the five modules.
- One module will be taught online from the Kerry Gaeltacht.
- The teaching methods will comprise language classes (face-to-face), workshops (face-to-face), language activities (likely online).
- There will be one weekend trip to Dún Chíomháin in the Kerry Gaeltacht (additional cost).
- Oral work will take precedence over written work in four modules.
Timetables for 2025/2026 is as follows. Please note this timetable is subject to change:
| Semester | Module | Week commencing |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | GA1801 | 8.9.25 to 6.10.25 |
| Semester 1 | GA1802 | 13.10.25 to 10.11.25 |
| Semester 1 | GA1803 | 17.11.25 to 15.12.25 |
| Semester 2 | GA1801 | 12.1.26 to 9.2.26 |
| Semester 2 | GA1804 | 16.2.26 to 16.3.26 |
| Semester 2 | GA1805 | 23.3.26 to 27.4. 26 (week off for Easter) |
Dates refer to week beginning of that date not the class start date.
Assessment:
Continuous assessment consisting mainly of oral assessment and some written tasks, two written exams and four oral exams.
Who teaches this course?
Ionad na Gaeilge Labhartha staff will teach the course.
Application Deadline:
- Applications are accepted in two rounds.
- Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
- Please note: if all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
- For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Dr Isobel Ni Riain at i.niriain@ucc.ie.
For Online Application Support please click here.
If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Julie Holland at julie.holland@ucc.ie
Why Choose This Course
This course aims to enable participants to speak fluently and accurately.
- It should help teachers who teach through Irish to become more confident in conversing in the classroom.
- It should help those who need to use Irish in their work in the local authorities, Garda Síochána and Health Service to be able to converse in Irish with the public.
- It should help those who intend going to live and work in the Gaeltacht to become confident speakers of Irish.
Requirements
Programme Entry Requirements:
- Students should be 20 years of age or over.
- They should have a H3 or higher in Leaving Cert Irish and they must successfully complete an interview and placement test.
Fees and Costs
The fee for this programme is €990
- Applicants pay 50% of this fee on application.
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
- The remaining 50% programme fee is due by 31 Jan.
Costs of social outings and the trip to the Gaeltacht will be borne by the student on top of the course fee.
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:
- Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
- Passport-style Photograph
- English Language Test Report (if applicable)
- Supporting documentation if required for RPL
- 50% of the programme fee
Start Your Application
Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).
- Start a new application
- WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
- During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
- Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
- Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
- Academic Programme: Spoken Irish - Cert
A step-by-step visual application guide for this specific programme is available – please email the Programme Coordinator. You can view a general application guide for all part-time programmes here: /en/ace/helphub/