HOLY CROSS COLLEGE
Irish
Aims of The Department
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To develop the ability to use languages effectively for purposes for practical communication
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To form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for further study, work and leisure.
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To introduce pupils to other cultures and civilisations.
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To develop an awareness of the nature of language and language learning.
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To provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.
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To encourage positive attitudes to language learning and to the speakers of other languages and a sympathetic approach to other cultures and civilisations.
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To promote skills of a more general application to all learning processes, for example analysis, memorising and the drawing of inferences.
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To help all pupils secure a pass grade at GCSE, AS and A Level.
Staff
HOD
Joanne Kyle
Subject Teachers
Conor Mullin
Kevin Dobbins
Language Assistant
Colmán Mac an Chrosain
Key Stage 4
Pupils who opt for Irish at this level complete CCEA GCSE.
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Through studying this specification, students:
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develop an understanding of written and spoken Irish in a variety of contexts;
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develop the ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken Irish, using a variety of vocabulary, syntax and structures;
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develop knowledge of the language and language-learning skills;
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recognise that their linguistic knowledge, understanding and skills help them to take their place in a multilingual global society; and
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derive enjoyment from language learning.
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The course provides a sound base for further study of Irish at a more advanced level. It also helps students make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices.
Web Links
For specifications and course details of the GCSE and AS/ A level content:
www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/gcsebitesize/irish/index.shtml
Key Stage 5
Pupils complete CCEA AS and A2 exams.
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Our revised GCE Irish specification aims to enable students to:
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develop their interest in and understanding of the language;
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communicate with speakers of Irish; and
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acquire knowledge and skills that will help them progress to further study and/or employment.
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Language learning can open up a world of opportunities to students. The revised GCE specification will help students avail of these opportunities and take their place in a multilingual, global society.
Achievements
In the past three of our students received an award for being the top GCSE Irish candidate in Northern Ireland
We consistently achieve a 90% + pass rate (A* - C) at GCSE and A level
Extra Curricular
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An Cumann Gaelach
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Participation in Gael-Linn Quizzes
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Silver Fáinne oral competition
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Gold Fáinne Oral Competition
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Annual attendance at An Ghaeltacht
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Participation in Local events to celebrate Irish Language such as Flan nó Brian celebration, events in the Library and in the Alley Theatre
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Visits to local Gaelscoil to read to pupils during book week
Overview of Curriculum at KS 3: IRISH
Term 1 - Year 8
1) Introduction to Language learning
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Greetings
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Introducing yourself
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Verbs
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Linking words
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Questions
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Signs
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Classroom rules
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School
2) Numbers and the time
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Questions associated with the time, i.e. what time does school start?
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Verbs for times
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Managing ‘Fadas’
3) Myself
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Name and surname
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Where you live/places
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School
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Likes and dislikes
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Giving opinions
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Grammatical changes masculine and feminine
Term 1 - Year 9
1) Revision of year 8
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The time
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Myself
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Family
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Other people
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The classroom
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Days, months, seasons
2) The weather
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Simple weather words
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Weather phrases
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Quantitives
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Time indicators
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Time spans
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Tenses it is, it was, it will be
3) My house
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Types of houses
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Areas to live
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Rooms
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Furniture
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Adjectives
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Grammar: eclipsing
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Counting objects
Term 2 - Year 8
4) The Family
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Vocabulary for family members
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Grammatical structure for ‘I have, she has, he has
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Personal numbers
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Pets
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Grammatical changes for a boy and a girl
5) Describing people
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Colours
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Describing appearance
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Describing personality
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Describing hair and eye colour
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Grammatical changes for a girl or a boy
Term 1 - Year 10
1) Revision of years 8 and 9
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Aspiration and eclipsing
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Counting objects
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Grammatical changes for girl/boy/self
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Verbs, regular and irregular
2) The present tense
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Verb groups
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Broad and slender verbs
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First group, broad and slender
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Second group, broad and slender
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Third group broad and slender
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Rules for questions and negative forms
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Irregular verbs
3) School
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Types of schools
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People in school
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School routine
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After school activities
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Places in school
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School uniform
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School rules
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verbs in past and present tenses
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pronouns
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link words and time indicators
Term 2 - Year 9
4) The past Tense
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Past tense positive, negative and question forms
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Irregular verbs, positive, negative and question forms
5) Daily Routine
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Verbs to get through the day
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Irregular verbs
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Additional vocabulary, food, activities etc.
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Pronouns
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Link words
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Time indicators
Term 2 - Year 10
4) Food and Meals
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The food pyramid
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Food groups
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Supermarket food
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Fast food
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Drinks
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Amounts
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People
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Phrases for use in the house and in a restaurant
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Healthy eating
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I am hungry/I am thirsty
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Past and present tenses
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Link words, time indicators and connectives
5) Health and the Body
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Structures for ‘I have an illness, I had an illness’
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Parts of the body
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Illnesses
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Emotions
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Medical personnel and phrases
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Verbs related to medical situations
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Prepositional pronoun ‘Ar’
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Pronouns, link words and time indicators
Term 3 - Year 8
6) The Classroom
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Classroom objects
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Verbs and orders
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Prepositions
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Classroom phrases
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Grammar rules about aspiration
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Letters you cannot aspirate
7) Days, months and seasons
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Days of week
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Months of year
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Seasons
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The verb form ‘Bíonn’
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How to say ‘on Monday, on Tuesday etc.
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How to say ‘in January etc.
Term 3 - Year 9
6) Hobbies
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Vocabulary for various hobbies
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Phrases expressing likes/dislikes/preferences
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Past tense verbs
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Some present tense verbs
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Link words and time indicators
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Verbal nouns
7) School
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Types of school
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People in school
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School routine
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After school activities
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Places in school
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Verbs to get through the school day
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Pronouns
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Link words an time indicators
Term 3 - Year 10
6) The future tense
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Verb groups
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Broad and slender verbs
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First group, broad and slender
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Second group, broad and slender
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Third group broad and slender
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Rules for questions and negative forms
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Irregular verbs
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Mixing the tenses
7) Holidays
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Countries
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Accommodation
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Means of transport
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Duration of holidays
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Things to do
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Weather
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Tenses
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Relevant phrases
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Link words, time indicators and connectives
8) Occupations
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Various occupations in various areas of work
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Work places
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Qualification
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Skills
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Past, present and future tenses
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Phrases