What is Polish?
Polish is a West Slavic language and the official language of Poland. Polish studies can refer to the study of Polish as a second language or to the study of Polish history and culture. Students interested in careers in Polish language will study both the language as well as the country’s history and culture.
What 3rd Level Courses are Available?
- Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in the following subject areas:
- Polish Language – the study of Polish as a second language.
- Polish Studies – the study of Polish history, culture, and politics.
- Business Studies & Polish – the study of business practices in Polish for application in Poland.
Studying Polish in College
First year students will often combine their Polish studies with additional subjects and electives. Students will be introduced to Polish language, literature, and history in their first year, preparing them for more intensive study in the following years.
Language modules will be traditionally assessed using written, oral, and aural examination. At all levels students will be required to complete assessments in and out of class in addition to sitting for regular exams.
Most undergraduate Polish courses will run for three or four years and in certain cases universities will facilitate work experience. Many programs will also encourage study abroad programs for students to learn the language through immersion in Polish culture.
It is common with all humanities-based subjects that students are expected to complete a Capstone project. Students will research and write on a topic of their choice (in English or in Polish) with the aid of a faculty mentor, ensuring their successful completion of a rigorous curriculum and preparing them for life after university.
A bachelor’s degree is adequate for some non-research careers in Polish language. For example, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Polish may start working as arts administrators, translators or interpreters, diplomats or secondary school teachers. Some go on to work in publishing, tourism, law and business as well.
Career Options
Graduating from college with a degree in Polish will serve you well in the job market as it equips you with a unique and marketable skill. Polish is a major language of the European Union, as such, knowledge of the language and literature opens up a world of opportunities to fluent speakers.
It is not uncommon for graduates to start off in ‘entry-level’ jobs. Many start their professional careers in international relations, tourism, translation and education.
Other careers in Polish language that require a higher degree of responsibility will typically require further education, training and/or experience to qualify for, eg. teaching, research and diplomacy positions.
Most Polish students work abroad or for international companies helping to translate and distribute media to multi-lingual customers. Many also go on to teach Polish as a second language in primary and secondary schools.
Related Jobs Include:
- Diplomat / Foreign Services Officer
- Secondary School Teacher
- Translator / Interpreter
- Journalist
- Public Relations
- Speech Therapist
- Travel / Hospitality / Tourism
- Technology Consultant
- Museum Curator
- Publishing Agent
Further Study
An undergraduate Polish degree is often the first step to go onto further postgraduate study often involving specialization in particular fields and areas of Polish and/or undertaking work in new, sometimes interdisciplinary fields such as translation, diplomacy, or education.
Visit postgrad.ie for more information.
FAQ
What points do I need to study Polish?
- Different courses and different colleges will have different entry requirements. It’s always best that you check with the individual higher education institution which is available on their websites. As a general rule Leaving Cert students should have a minimum of six subjects which should include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or Four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, English, Irish or another language.
Are there any particular qualities you need to study Polish?
- You will need to be fascinated by other languages and cultures and excited to study the world from a different perspective. You will need to possess the desire to learn to think critically through the study of literature and cinema as well as history. Finally, you will need to be detail oriented, self-disciplined, and confident.
Where can I study Polish?
- Explore your options here.
Did You Know?
- Polish is the most widely spoken Slavic language in the European Union!
- There are more than 55 million Polish speakers worldwide!
- More than 120,000 Polish people live in the Republic of Ireland making Polish the 6th most commonly spoken language in the country!
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