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Irish

Foireann [Members of the Department]

Ms A Clarke

Ms C McNeill

Miss M.C Hughes

 

Fáilte [Welcome]

Céad Míle Fáilte go Roinn na Gaeilge in Ardscoil Naomh Doiminic.

 

Aidhmeanna [Aims]

The Irish Department supports the whole curriculum, whilst providing opportunities for Irish as a subject in its own right. We teach in a meaningful context, providing pupils with positive experiences of using Irish creatively and with confidence. The main aims of the Department are to:

  • foster knowledge and appreciation of the Irish language as a native language;

  • create a positive atmosphere which allows pupils to develop competence in spoken and written Irish;

  • encourage pupils to develop personal qualities, such as self-confidence, independence and effective communication;

  • develop pupils' ability to communicate and deal with information through the medium of Irish;

  • enhance pupils' learning by incorporating CDT into teaching.

  • enable pupils to develop transferable communication skills.

 

Key Stage 3

Years 8, 9 and 10 follow the Revised Curriculum for KS3

  • Year 8: Pupils are introduced to Irish with an emphasis on developing effective communication skills. Topics covering "My World" include: Greetings, Myself, My Family, The Weather, School, Time, Days of the week, Months of the year, Seasons.

  • Year 9: Pupils develop the various topics covered in Year 8, with an emphasis on spoken language. Year 9 topics include: Pastimes, The House, Area, Shopping, Food and Drink, Health, Parts of the Body.

  • Year 10: Pupils develop their ability to describe their Family, friends and Home area, Occupations, Holidays, An Ghaeltacht, Professions and Health. Pupils also have the opportunity to achieve their Silver Fáinne and to attend the Gael Linn Junior Quiz.

Provision is made to teach through the medium of Irish to pupils who have attended an all-Irish speaking Primary School depending on pupil numbers. These pupils sit GCSE Irish at the end of Year 10 and can pursue GCSE Gaeilge in Years 11 and 12. They can then join the mainstream AS/A2 Irish class in Year 13. Large numbers of pupils from each year group attend Gaeltacht courses during the summer in Machaire Rabhartaigh, Loch an Iuir, Dun Luiche and Rann na Feirste.


 

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Year 11 and 12 pupils have the opportunity to study Irish at GCSE level, completing exams in the four key assessment areas: speaking, reading, listening and writing. Oral responses are prepared throughout the two years and material studied in each topic facilitates everyday communication. Pupils study the six key areas: self, family and friends; home life and daily routine; hobbies and interests; town, countryside and the environment; holidays; education and careers.

Pupils have the opportunity to visit the Donegal Gaeltacht at both Easter and Summer. They participate in the Gael Linn Senior Quiz and in the Abair public-speaking competition. Provision is made to teach through the medium of Irish to pupils in Years 11 and 12 who have attended an all-Irish speaking Primary School depending on pupil numbers. These pupils sit GCSE Gaeilge at the end of Year 12 and can pursue GCSE AS/A2 Irish in Year 13/14.


 

Key Stage 5 (GCE)

Students will study A Level Irish over 2 years. The full GCE A Level qualification will be made up from 40% AS marks and 60% A2 marks.

Students study the CCEA specification.


 
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