The Irish Education System: Study Visits in Dublin

Description

Ireland’s educational system is unique in Europe. Children start school at the age of four and attend primary school for eight years. Many Irish secondary schools offer a transition year. 

During this time, learners don’t attend formal classes. Instead, they do internships and project work. Here they have the opportunity to learn important skills for their later life. 

Students can be as young as 17 years old when starting to go to college. Irish graduate students commonly receive their Ph.D. degrees at the age of 25.

During this course, you will get to know the Irish educational system in detail. You will visit Irish schools and institutes, you will watch teachers’ lessons, and there will be discussions with headmasters, teachers, and learners about school life and the Irish educational system.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants learn and enhance their knowledge about the Irish educational system, daily school life, and Irish civilization. An important aim of the course is to facilitate language experience and cultural exchange between European participants and Irish staff, leading to a truly international experience.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;

• Icebreaker activities;

• Presentations of the participants’ schools.

Day 2 – The Irish Educational System

• Lecture about the Irish Educational System;

• Workshop;

• Differences between the Irish and the participants’ systems;

• Introduction to the schools to visit;

• Preparing questions to ask the learners and host teachers.

Day 3 – First school visit

• School visits I;

• Discussion of the visits;

• What is different? What is amazing?

Day 4 – Second school visit

• School visits II;

• Discussion of the visits;

• What is different? What is amazing?

Day 5 – Third school visit

• School visits III;

• Discussion of the visits;

• What is different? What is amazing?

Day 6 – Course closure & excursion

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;

• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;

• Excursion to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough National Park and Monastic Settlement.