Students taking this module require to have achieved an H4 pass in Leaving Certificate Irish or be able to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of the language in all four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing at B1.1/B1.2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for language qualifications.
While recognising what learners have already achieved in their study of Irish to date, this module seeks to extend the range of their competencies beyond the limited domains that typically feature in school-based language qualifications.
A communicative approach is adopted in the teaching, making maximum appropriate use of Irish throughout, to develop all four language skills in an integrated manner, whilst ensuring that students are supported in developing a declarative knowledge of Irish grammar appropriate to Year 1 of third level study, and are able to apply that knowledge systematically to all four language skills.
An extensive range of additional materials, benchmarked at B1.1/B1.2 Level on the CEFR which are not used in class will be available online to support independent learning.
The minimum exit level for this module is B1.1 on the CEFR. This is the same as the entry level, reflecting the research findings of the Association of Language Testers Europe (ALTE) that successful learners generally take more than 200 hours of learning to progress from B1 to B2 Level.
On successful completion of the module, students will be working towards B1.2 Level in all four skills and will normally be able to perform at that level in the passive skills (Reading and Listening) in contexts closely associated with those that have featured in the teaching programme, and may occasionally be able perform at that level in the active skills (Speaking and Writing) in familiar contexts when they have access to appropriate sources of reference and have sufficient time to prepare.
In this module, a strong focus will be placed on the continual improvement and development of students’ communicative skills in Irish. Students’ self-confidence will be encouraged so as to enable them to discuss and analyse a diverse range of topics through Irish. A comprehensive selection of communicative topics in both personal and professional contexts will be studied to broaden the scope of the students’ communicative skills, as well as an in-depth study of Irish grammar and syntax with a view towards developing the students’ communicative skills in both the written and spoken language. Approriate resources from Siollabas Theastas Eorpach na Gaeilge along with learning materials comparable with Siollabas Mheitheal um Theagasc na Gaeilge ar an Tríú Leibhéal will be used. A broad range of spoken, written, listening and reading exercises will be undertaken by the students so as to develop both their personal and professional communicative skills. A selection of the following teaching methods will be used, as appropriate: grammar and translation exercises; analysis of authentic texts; conversations; debates; interviews; formal talks; presentations.
| Learning and Teaching Methods: | ||||||||||||
| The class will normally be delivered by communicative language classes. Students will normally undertake approximately 40 minutes of study/preparation for each class hour.
E-learning All basic class information, together with some teaching materials and additional support materials will be available online, normally through Brightspace. |
| Total Teaching Contact Hours | 72 |
| Total Self-Directed Learning Hours | 128 |
| Module Delivery Duration: |
| The module is normally delivered over the course over two semesters. |
Attendance, participation and self-directed learning are viewed as essential elements of the learning process and a minimum of 75% of student attendance/participation will be expected.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |