The interview for the Professional Master of Education (PME) in Post-Primary Education is a unique opportunity to convey why you want to teach and why you are a good fit for our programme. Once your online application has been reviewed and processed, you will be called for an interview. The closing date for applications is 10th July. Submit your application and get your interview scheduled, and you will know if you have a place on the programme. Read on to learn more about the PME in Post-Primary Education interview.
Remember that teaching is a wonderful career opportunity that requires energy, commitment and enthusiasm; this is what we want to see at your interview. It is your opportunity to convince the panel that you have these essential characteristics to become a teacher. We look forward to meeting you very soon and remember — preparation is key.
PME in Post-Primary Education Interview
All applicants who have been deemed to have met the entry requirements, submitted a fully completed application form with supporting documentation and paid the application fee will be invited to an interview.
The PME in Post-Primary Education interview is a 30-minute professional interview. The interview panel consists of two people. The panellists are highly experienced educators, who are either retired or practising teachers.
Interview outcome is issued within 10 working days of interview. Interviews are subject specific and scheduled on a rolling basis. The earlier you submit your application, the earlier it can be reviewed.
About the Interview
The interview will be held online via Zoom. It is 30 minutes in duration and will include a presentation. You will be required to present on a topic of interest from the post-primary curriculum in your first subject. This presentation should be no more than three minutes in length, so please ensure you practise in advance and time your presentation. Candidates are no longer required to send their presentation via email. Remember that the presentation should focus on the teaching and learning of post-primary pupils. It may be useful to target your presentation towards either Junior or Senior Cycle pupils and ensure to state this clearly. You can visit curriculum online to review Junior and Senior Cycle curricula and prepare your topic presentation in advance.
In the interview, applicants should demonstrate their motivation for wanting to enter the teaching profession. The panel will be interested to know why you are applying to complete the PME with Hibernia College. What do you know about the programme and what aspects of the programme are you excited about? Become familiar with the Hibernia College website, attend a webinar, and speak to current students and former graduates. Find out more about the course content, school placement, and how the curriculum is delivered and assessed.
The panel will reference your personal statement, and they will expect you to demonstrate your competency or experience in areas such as communication and interpersonal skills, organisation and planning, motivation to become a teacher, preparation and professionalism, and suitability to teach.
If you are successful in gaining a place on the programme, you will be taught the skills and knowledge to become a post-primary teacher; the panel does not expect you to have all this knowledge for the interview and prior experience is not mandatory before applying to the programme. However, you should be able to show that you have an interest in education and working with children and reference some experiences that support this. Also, consider the informal experiences that you might have, such as coaching, caring for children and supporting with extracurricular activities. If you do have experience working in a classroom or school, the panel will want to hear about that experience and how you will apply that to the programme.
Finally, prepare for the interview by practising the answers to questions aloud or in front of the mirror. Ask a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you online.
If one of your subjects is a Modern Foreign Language (French, Spanish or German) or Gaeilge, part of your interview will be conducted in this language. If you have two languages, questions will be asked in both languages.
The interview will assess your knowledge and awareness of both your chosen subjects’ curricula. Further information on all curricula, can be attained at www.curriculumonline.ie.
During the interview, the panel will assess your conversational fluency and grammatical accuracy. The interview will consist of a general conversation in relation to you, your interests, the language and education. We do not recommend memorising anything in advance because it limits your ability to communicate effectively with the panel. Practise changes of tense and using a wide range of verbs and vocabulary. Remember to practise speaking the language aloud, in front of a family member or with a friend.
3 Minute Presentation
Applicants will be required to present on a topic of interest from the post-primary curriculum in their first chosen subject. This presentation should not be more than 3 minutes in length. Applicants are advised to practice this presentation before the interview to ensure they adhere to this time.
During the interview you will be assessed on the following;
At the start of the interview, applicants will present on a junior or senior cycle curriculum topic of interest. The topic chosen should be related to the applicant’s first subject choice. The presentation should be no longer than 3 minutes and in the perspective of teaching the topic, not just a presentation on the topic in general.
Competency Assessment
• Communication – presentation and interview preparation
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate good communication skill, including eye contact, facial expression, posture and intonation. This is an opportunity for applicants to display subject knowledge, demonstrate understanding of the PME programme and blended learning meaning
Motivation: Applicants should demonstrate their enthusiasm for wanting to enter the teaching profession: Motivated, Resourceful, Flexible, Resilient
Suitability to Teach, Subject Knowledge and Professionalism: Applicants should demonstrate skills and personal qualities that make a good teacher. Able to reflect on the skills and attributes observed during educational experiences and/or work experience and extra-curricular activities. Consider what aspects of teaching may be challenging and rewarding. And what they can offer as a teacher. Demonstrate flexibility and resilience in the face of difficulties and challenges
Interpersonal Skills: Applicants will demonstrate good interpersonal skills, key skills to be a Post-Primary teacher, Leadership potential.
Organisation, Planning and Ability to Evaluate: Applicants should demonstrate their skills regarding planning and utilizing resources, organizing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Interview Tips
The interview is a professional interview, so please make sure that you are prepared, dressed appropriately (personal business attire), good light and have your ID (current passport or drivers licence only. Make sure you can access the Zoom link well in advance of the interview time. Have some trial Zoom calls with family or friends. Make sure that the interviewers can clearly see and hear you during the interview. Try out the audio options to see what suits your headphones, microphone and so on.
Have your friends and family tell you how you are presenting on their screens and adjust to ensure you are perfectly visible on screen (Avoid sitting in front of a strong source of light and have a plain and still background.). Find a quiet location for the interview inside. Remember all the usual professional interview tips and take the opportunity to demonstrate the necessary skills required of a teacher, such as listening, eliciting participation and building rapport. The panel will also consider communication skills, such as body language, eye contact and vocal presence during your interview.
Remember to do at least 3 practice zooms with 2 people prior to your interview.
Learn More
If you have any queries about the interview or the documents required to apply, our Enrolment Advisors are here to help. You can schedule a call at a time most convenient for you. If post-primary teaching is your dream, submit your application today.
