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‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ go Roinn na Gaeilge
Staff
- Dr Scullion
- Mrs Hanna
- Mrs Gibson (Language Assistant)
The Irish Department is a vibrant and diverse department which prepares students for external CCEA GSCE, AS and A2 examinations, as well as providing students with positive experiences of using Irish creatively and confidently.
Our aim is to foster a sound knowledge and appreciation of the richness and diversity of the Irish language, to develop a range of life-long skills associated with language-learning and to develop and encourage an awareness in our students of the heritage and culture associated with the Irish language locally, nationally and globally.
KS3
KS3 (Years 8, 9 & 10)
Year 8 Topics
· Greetings & Introducing People
· The Classroom & School Life
· The Time
· Myself and My Hobbies
· My Family & Relatives
Year 9 Topics
· Greetings,
· The Classroom & School Life
· The Time
· Myself and My Hobbies
· My Family & Relatives
· Days, months and seasons & The Weather
· Introduction to the Past Tense
Year 10 Topics
· Holidays & the Gaeltacht (The Past Tense)
· School Life (The Present Tense)
· Myself & Others & Occupations
o DVD Gabh le Gaeilge: Careers & Skills Focus
· Shopping & Public Services
· My House & Area
Irish Medium students
Students from an Irish Medium Primary schooling background have the opportunity to prepare for and take GCSE Irish at the end of Year 10.
KS3 Activities (Years 8, 9 & 10)
· Speaking Awards – ‘Cuplá Focal’ award (Year 8), ‘Bunteastas’ certificate (Year 9) & ‘An Fáinne Airgid’ (Year 10).
· Year 8 Feis (Students learn the poem ‘Is leatsa í’)
· Year 9 St. Patrick’s Céilí & Assembly
· Year 10 Outing to the Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn & lunch in the Cultúrlann, Belfast.
· Donegal Gaeltacht during the summer
· Feis an Dúin – Co. Down Irish language Feis in Newcastle.
GCSE
KS4 Irish – Year 11 & Year 12
Students follow the GCSE Irish CCEA specification https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-irish-2017
Context for Learning 1: Identity, Lifestyle and Culture
• Myself, my family, relationships and choices
• Social media and new technology
• Free time, leisure and daily routine
• Culture, customs, festivals and celebrations
Context for Learning 2: Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
• My local area and the wider environment
• Community involvement
• Social and global issues
• Travel and tourism
Context for Learning 3: School Life, Studies and the World of Work
• My studies and school life
• Extra-curricular activities
• Part-time jobs and money management
• Future plans and career
KS4 Activities (Years 11 & 12)
· Speaking Awards – ‘Meánteastas’ certificate (Year 11) & ‘An Fáinne Óir’ (Year 12).
· Guest-speakers during Language week in September
· Activities & events during ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge / Irish Week’ in March’
· Donegal Gaeltacht during the summer
· Feis an Dúin – Co. Down Irish language Feis in Newcastle.
AS/A-Level
KS5 Irish – Year 13 & Year 14
GCSE Irish CCEA specification https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-irish-2016
AS Irish – Year 13
AS 1: Speaking – 30% of AS (12% of A2)
Prepared presentation (3 minutes) & General Conversation on selected topics (8 – 10 minutes)
AS 2: Listening, Reading & Writing – 40% of AS (16% of A2)
Section A Listening: answers in English & Irish
Section B Reading: reading comprehension & translation of a short text from Irish into English
Section C Use of language: short grammatical exercises & translate short sentences into Irish.
AS 3: Extended Writing – 30% of AS (12% of A2)
An essay in Irish (250 words) in response to a set film or literary text.
A2 Irish – Year 14
A2 1: Speaking – (18% of A2)
General conversation: approximately 8/9 minutes
Discussion based on an aspect of Irish life (student’s choice): 5 minutes
A2 2: Listening, Reading & Writing – (24% of A2)
Section A: Listening: Answers in English & Irish based on a listening task
Section B: Reading & Translation: gap-filling task, reading comprehension, summary & a translation
A2 3: Extended Writing – (18% of A2)
Students study one literary text & write one essay in the exam.
KS5 Activities (Years 11 & 12)
· Guest-speakers during Language week in September.
· Activities & events during ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge / Irish Week’ in March.’
· Annual AS & A2 Irish Donegal Residential
· Feis an Dúin – Co. Down Irish language Feis in Newcastle.
· BBC Gaeilge day – Industry Link
Results
CCEA Examination Results
GCSE
2019: A*- C: 100%
2018: A*-C: 100%
2017: A*-C: 100%
A2
2019: A*-C: 100%
2018: A*-C: 94%
2017: A*-C: 100%
Useful Websites
Useful Websites
Careers, Skills and Irish / Languages
http://gradireland.com/sites/gradireland.com/files/SCG_irish_lang.pdf
Need help with pronunciation?
Gaeltacht Colleges in Donegal
https://www.facebook.com/lochaniuir/
https://www.facebook.com/284090489105261/posts/machaire-rabhartaigh-/447506312763677/
