English Language and Irish Culture

Course Details

Locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway
Course Duration: 1-2 weeks
Lessons per Week: 20 – 25
Fees include: Registration, Course Materials, Erasmus+ Certification, City Orientation, Social Programme

Course Description

This course is an intensive professional training course for teachers who want to develop their communicative competence in English, while learning about Irish culture and heritage. Teachers can also participate in a variety of innovative teaching methodology workshops to refresh their teaching practice.

The course introduces participants to a variety of themes in Irish culture (both historical and contemporary culture. They explore who the Irish are; looking at their literature, folklore, music and dance. Participants also learn about important social and political landmarks in Irish history.

Working with this cultural content, participants are given the opportunity to focus on language and work on the development of their English language skills. They can also experience and reflect upon popular teaching techniques used in the English Language classroom.

Who is this course for?

This course is for Primary and Secondary school teachers, and for those working in Further or Tertiary education, who want to upgrade their English language skills while gaining a better understanding of Irish life and culture.

English Level Required

Applicants should have a minimum B2 level of English (Upper-intermediate). If you would like you to confirm your level, please contact one of our schools..

Course Aims

• Develop communicative language competence with a particular focus on the interactive skills of speaking and listening.
• Provide a broad overview of traditional Irish cultural heritage. 
• Provide an insight into contemporary Irish culture and society.
• Explore Irish social and political shifts, from British rule, through independence, to the modern Irish Republic.
• Demonstrate new ideas and recent pedagogical developments in language teaching.
• Help teachers design and deliver better active learning experiences.
• Facilitate teachers in exploring the themes of the course with an extensive cultural and social programme.  
• Establish contacts with peers from a variety of education systems and facilitate future networking

Sample Modules

Irish Culture:

• From rebellion to civil war and beyond – the road to Irish independence.
• Ireland in the 21^st century – the social and economic policies that have shaped contemporary Ireland.
• Ireland, Brexit, the border, and a border poll
• Music and dance of Ireland
• The Irish abroad – from politicians to pirates, scientists to sports stars – meet some of Ireland’s most influential émigrés.
• Stories of Ireland – folklore, origin stories and world-renowned writers. The rich tradition of oral and written storytelling in Ireland.
• Hiberno-English / Irish-English Expressions
• Vocabulary building: Ideas for Teaching and Learning Collocation
• WebQuests, Crafts and Games
• Quizzes
• Considering Learner Styles and Preferences
• Ideas for Using AI
• Guided Discovery