pde - teaching practice information

The Teaching Practice module is a practice based module. The emphasis of the module is on learning from teaching experience and reflection. Evidence of learning is provided in a Teaching Practice Portfolio which includes teaching and assessment resources, records of all school based activities and demonstrations of students’ progress of learning and professional development in the form of written reflections.

The teaching practice component of the course involves a minimum of 110 hours of teaching practice in a recognised post-primary school in the subject(s) taken to degree level.  Prior to their teaching experience in schools, student teachers complete a period of observation in primary and post-primary schools and engage in collaborative microteaching activities on campus. During teaching practice periods, student teachers work closely with their teaching practice tutors.

The School of Education at NUIG is constantly striving to enhance student teachers’ teaching practice experiences. We recognize that close collaboration between the university and students’ teaching practice schools is crucial for the success of our programmes and our students’ learning experiences. Here in the School of Education, we highly value the immense contribution that practicing teachers in schools make to our students’ professional development. To further enhance our partnership with schools, we are currently developing a Partner School Placement Model with a number of our partner schools. As part of this pilot initiative, we organise collaborative seminars for practicing teachers and university tutors focusing on initial teacher education, student teacher development and supervision.

Teaching Practice – Placement Schools

NUIG does not engage in the placement of PDE Student Teachers for Teaching Practice. It is the sole responsibility of the PDE applicant to find a school that will facilitate her/him in fulfilling the Teaching Practice component of the PDE. 

Be aware that looking for a PDE placement school is like looking for a teaching job! We strongly advise you to prepare a high quality CV and cover letter (personalised to the relevant school principal), that you present yourself in person (dressed as a teacher!) and try to meet with either the principal/ deputy principal, PDE coordinator (in some schools there is a designated teacher who looks after PDE students) and/or a teacher who teaches one of your subjects. Many schools, especially schools in and around Galway city, are inundated with phone calls from successful PDE applicants so you should think about ways that will make you stand out!

As is the case when applying for a job, a strong reference can be of immense benefit to an applicant. Especially if you are not from the area and are not known in the schools, it is recommendable that you talk to the principal of your own second-level school and/or to a former employer and ask if they can support you through a reference (or possibly a phone call if they have any contacts with schools on our list).

*Some post primary schools agree to grant TP hours based only on the PAC offer while others don’t entertain requests for TP hours until the NUI Galway offer has been secured. 

Director of Teaching Practice:
Dr. Manuela Heinz
Office: Block M
Tel.: 00353(0)91 49 3873
Email: manuela.heinznuigalway.ie   

PDE Academic Calendar 

Teaching Practice Policy 

List of Approved Schools 

Teaching Practice FAQs 

Teaching Practice Tutors 

School Agreement Form 

PDE Student Information Form

School Observation Form 

Please COMPLETE and RETURN the relevant forms to Sinéad Coyne, School of Education, NUI Galway.

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