Who are the teg examinations for?
Why is teg certification important?
What is partial certification?
Do candidates have to sit the A1 exam in advance of sitting the A2 exam?
Where are the examinations held?
When are the examination results available?
How many hours of study are required to undertake the different examinations?
Do I have to pass each part of the examination in order to gain an overall pass?
Can I do different parts of the examination at different times?
Is the use of dictionaries allowed in the examinations?
Will candidates lose marks if they misspell words in the aural exam?
What can candidates do if they don’t understand the directions given at the beginning of the examination or during the oral examination?
Are there any restrictions regarding the age of candidates?
Do I have to attend an Irish language course in order to do any of the examinations?
How often are the examinations held?
How can I register for one of the examinations?
What is the cost of the examinations?
What are the payment methods?
If I have further questions?
Where is TEG recognized?
Does TEG satisfy the Irish language requirements for the postgraduate course in primary teaching?

The Department of Education and Skills has accepted Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge Level B2 as meeting the Irish language entry requirement for primary education programmes.

This is a great opportunity for people who would like to enter the teaching profession but who do not have the necessary Irish language qualifications (e.g. Leaving Certificate Higher Level Irish) for the colleges of education. Unlike the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Irish syllabus and examination, the TEG B2 syllabus and exam are designed with the adult learner in mind which greatly enhances the learning experience.

In 2012, partial certification was introduced, which will allow learners of Irish to take the oral exam only at whatever level they choose. If candidates are successful, they will receive a certificate indicating their level of spoken Irish. The marks attained in the oral exam will be clearly shown on the certificate. It will also be clear that this is not a full TEG certificate and that oral competence only was tested.

At Level C1 (Advanced 1) candidates who receive partial certification can obtain full certification without resitting the oral exam if they undertake the rest of the exam within two years. For example, if a candidate receives partial certification in the Oral Exam at this level anytime during 2013, he/she will have until the end of 2015 to undertake the other parts of the exam at that level (Listening, Reading and Writing and the Use of Irish*) in order to get full certification.

In the case of examination levels A1-B2, candidates will be required to take all parts of the examination in one session in order to get full certification.

*Note that candidates have to undertake these sections in one session and that these sessions normally take place once annually.

Usually, the written exam is held in the morning. See the information on the application form to check times for the oral exams. Examinations are held in various locations in Ireland and abroad, depending on demand.

Please note that an examination will be cancelled at any venue if there are fewer than 15 applicants. You will be informed of available venues 14 days before the examination date. We advise against making travel and accommodation arrangements prior to receiving this notification from the Language Centre.

Those wishing to take the oral exam only for partial TEG certification can arrange with the Language Centre at NUI Maynooth to hold the oral exams at other times of the year in centres throughout the country. This is subject to a minimum of fifteen candidates.

Guidelines here.

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Do I have to pass each part of the examination in order to gain an overall pass?

No. Although candidates are given the marks they attained in each section, the marks from each section are added together to give the overall result. Therefore, depending on the marks, a candidate could fail a section or two but pass the overall exanination. If candidates are successful in the examination, certificates will be awarded to them according to the following grades:

At all levels, the percentage of marks awarded to the candidate in each section will be indicated on the certificate.

In the case of B2, each section of the exam (speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing) is worth 25% of the marks.

In the case of C1, each section of the exam (speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing and Use of Irish) is worth 20% of the marks. At this level, the percentage of marks awarded to the candidate in each section will be indicated on the certificate.

In the case of partial certification, the marks awarded to the candidate in the oral section of the exam will be indicated on the certificate.

In 2012, partial certification was introduced, which will allow learners of Irish to take the oral exam only at whatever level they choose. If candidates are successful, they will receive a certificate indicating their level of spoken Irish. The marks attained in the oral exam will be clearly shown on the certificate. It will also be clear that this is not a full TEG certificate and that oral competence only was tested.

At Level C1 (Advanced 1) candidates who receive partial certification can obtain full certification without resitting the oral exam if they undertake the rest of the exam within two years. For example, if a candidate receives partial certification in the Oral Exam at this level anytime during 2013, he/she will have until the end of 2015 to undertake the other parts of the exam at that level (Listening, Reading and Writing and the Use of Irish*) in order to get full certification.

In the case of examination levels A1-B2, candidates will be required to take all parts of the examination in one session in order to get full certification.

*Note that candidates have to undertake these sections in one session and that these sessions normally take place once annually.

At the other levels, candidates will not lose marks for spelling mistakes provided that what they write is clear and intelligible to the examiners.

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What can candidates do if they don’t understand the directions given at the beginning of the examination or during the oral examination?

Candidates can ask the examiner to repeat the directions and they will not lose marks as a result of doing this. That said, in the interests of fairness, the examiner cannot give any additional information apart from repeating the directions.

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Are there any restrictions regarding the age of candidates?

There is no age restriction for candidates who wish to undertake any of the teg examinations. However, the texts and tasks are for the most part directed at adult learners.

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Do I have to attend an Irish language course in order to do any of the examinations?

No. Even though many of the organisations teaching Irish in Ireland and abroad use the syllabi and teaching materials on which teg is based, there is no requirement to attend any particular course or to use any particular learning materials in order to sit the examinations. However, it is certainly helpful to attend a course that addresses the requirements of the examinations.

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How often are the examinations held?

The full examinations are held once a year. B1/B2 in April. A1/A2 in May. C1 in January.

Information here.

A complete refund will be made to an applicant who withdraws more than 10 days prior to an examination. No refund will be made for later withdrawals except where a medical certificate or other documentation acceptable to the Language Centre is presented. Notification of an intention to withdraw should be sent by email to us.

What are the payment methods?

It is possible to register and pay online. We also accept cheques, postal orders and bank drafts. Details here.

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If I have any further questions?

If you have any further questions please contact Ionad na dTeangacha:

At info@teg.ie
On 00-353-1-7083737
At Ionad na dTeangacha, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad, Co. Chill Dara. (Éire).

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Where is TEG recognized?

TEG is among the entry requirements for various courses, schemes and awards administered by the following bodies:

• Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
• The Teaching Council
• The Fulbright Commission
• The Department of Education and Skills

Colleges of Education

• Marino Institute of Education
• St. Patrick’s College of Education
• Mary Immaculate College of Education
• Hibernia College

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Does TEG satisfy the Irish language requirements for the postgraduate course in primary teaching?

Yes. The Department of Education and Skills, the Teaching Council and the Colleges of Education have recognized TEG B2 as meeting the Irish language entry requirement for the Grad. Dip. in Primary Education.

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