Gaeilge and Key Skills In addition to their specific content and knowledge, the subjects and short courses of the junior cycle provide students with opportunities to develop a range of key skills. This course offers opportunities to support all key skills, but some are particularly significant. The eight key skills are set out in detail in Key Skills of Junior Cycle. The examples below identify some of the areas that are related to learning activities in Irish. Key skill Key skill element Student learning activity Being creative Learning creatively As language users, students will have opportunities to explore a range of aspects relating to language and culture. They will use various means, including digital technology, to explore opinions and to express ideas creatively. Being literate Expressing ideas clearly and accurately Exploring and creating a variety of texts, including multi-modal texts As students engage with a wide range of texts (including multi-modal texts) they will develop a more critical awareness of how language works. This will enable them to make informed language choices to express themselves, and to find, use and share ideas. By participating in interactive communication tasks, students will develop the foundations of spoken interaction: listening and speaking skills. Students will plan, draft and write in a range of genres demonstrating an increased understanding of a target group and style. Being numerate Seeing patterns, trends and relationships Students will undertake language learning activities such as gathering information from surveys and questionnaires in class. Students will use innovative digital technology to find, gather and interpret information, and communicate that information through description or presentation. They will engage with quantifying concepts and elements of numeracy or functional measuring. They will recognise language patterns in texts, including literary texts. Communicating Using language Students will improve their communication skills by using language that relates to their own lives and to life in general. They will gain experience in presenting information and opinions for themselves or on behalf of a group through Irish. Managing information and thinking Reflecting on and evaluating my learning Students will consider and evaluate feedback received through self-assessment or through peer assessment (from other students) and feedback from teachers to find ways of being more accurate in their own language production (written and spoken) and being more aware of themselves as language learners. Managing myself Setting and achieving personal goals Students will understand the importance of reflection, organisation and clarity to achieve goals effectively and on time when dealing with and creating Irish texts. Staying well Being positive about learning Students will develop a positive attitude towards language learning when engaging with various language tasks and activities and when reflecting on themselves as language learners. Working with others Learning with others Students will consult and co-operate with their peers and with others for the benefit of both their own and others’ learning. Students will understand how important and beneficial it is to listen and respect others while completing a wide range of activities and tasks.
