ENGLISH
The Junior Cycle English course enables students to build on their learning in primary school and further develop their skills and enjoyment in using the English language effectively.
Learning about language in texts, including digital texts, is important to social development and as part of this process, students develop the competence and confidence needed to meet the demands of school, employment, further education and life.
English lessons are designed in our school to ensure that students are actively involved in the integrated skills of oral language, reading and writing and in discussing and comparing a wide variety of texts and forms of English. As study is a social activity as well as a personal one, students have opportunities to work in groups (cooperative learning) to achieve appropriate language goals. We use technology where we can, and are working towards the integration of technology into the curriculum. In this regard, we are piloting the use of a digital media lab in our department.
The ability to appreciate literature from different cultures is important in developing the whole person and to this end, students are encouraged to read. Reading for pleasure is a major aim of our Deis plan and the English department actively supports this through the use of library classes, arranging DEAR and other activities. Every student in CMCO is given access to the JCSP online library through the Sora App which is available for free on all tablets and devices. This invaluable resource provides thousands of educational books and novels for students and staff.
Assessment
Formative assessment is embedded across all three years of Junior Cycle English. There are also a number of summative moments of assessment with Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) 1 in May of Second Year, CBA 2 and the Assessment Task (AT) in December of Third Year followed by a two hour written state examination at the end of Third Year.
Facilities and Resources:
- DEAR Programme (Drop Everything And Read)
- Vocabulary Enrichment Programme
- Fully Stocked and Computerised Library System
- Digital Media Lab
- JCSP Online Library
Sample Co-Curricular Activities
- Intergenerational Reading
- Library Classes
- Book Club
- Theatre Trip to facilitate understanding of prescribed drama
- Debating
- Poetry Aloud
To access more information about the Junior Cycle English Syllabus please click here
