DCU Introduces New Undergrad Programme For Deaf Students

Dublin City University has introduced its first Irish Sign Language (ISL) primary teaching course.

The course allows those who are deaf and hard of hearing to enter primary teaching, a first of its kind in the state.

Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, who formally launched the programme, said: "This new degree programme route for people who are deaf and hard of hearing to become teachers is a hugely important step towards ensuring increased access and inclusion for all in the classroom.

"It will enable deaf children who use Irish Sign Language in primary school to fully access the curriculum by having teachers who are fluent ISL users.

"I want to thank DCU's Institute of Education. It is an historic development. It will open the door to a world of teaching both for young people who use Irish Sign Language but also for people who want to teach through sign."

Explaining the background to the course, Dr Anne Looney, Executive Dean of the Institute of Education at DCU said: "This new course means that children who access learning and express themselves through Irish Sign Language can be taught by teachers who do the same and who will be fantastic role models for deaf students in our education system.

"Traditionally, the languages needed to enter primary teaching have been English and Irish. Now, ISL gets its full recognition, and equal status as a path to primary teaching.

"I want to thank Minister McHugh, his predecessors and the Department of Education and Skills for this important designation, and would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Dr Elizabeth Mathews from the School of Inclusive and Special Education at the DCU Institute of Education in championing this work over the past eight years." 

The new course will be available from this September, with applications open now through the current CAO process.

This new pathway into the B.Ed. is being introduced initially on a pilot basis from September with six places available, with subsequent intakes of students scheduled for September 2023 onwards.

(CM/JG)