IRELAND

Where is Ireland?

Culture- The Irish Language1. Slainte: “SLAHN-chuh” – Cheers2. Fir: “feer” – Men3. Mná “mih-NAH” – Ladies4. Go raibh maith agat: “GORE-uh MAH uh-GUT” – Thanks

5. Slan go fóill: “SLAHN g’FOLE” – See ya later

6. Conas atá tu?: “KUH-nish uh TAH-too” – How are ya?

7. Tá me go maith: “TAH may guh MAH” – I’m good

Sports• Gaelic Football• Rugby• Camogie• Hurling

Food• Colcannon

• Mixture of cabbage and mashed potatoes• Full Irish Breakfast

•  large breakfast usually consisting of fried eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato and black pudding and white pudding

• Soda Bread• a quick bread using baking soda instead of

yeast• Bread Pudding• Irish Stew• Champ

• a mixture of mashed potatoes and spring onions

Drink• Murphy's Stout• Guinness Stout• Beamish Stout• Baileys• Irish Coffee• Paddy Irish Whiskey• Jameson Whiskey

Traditions• Pubs • Ireland is known for its festivals and fairs• Traditional Irish Wedding• Traditional Irish Funeral

Holidays• Halloween• Christmas• Easter• St. Patrick’s Day

General Overview

Quick facts

• Department of Education and Skills

• Education is compulsory in Ireland from age 6-15.

• Since 1967 public education is free.

Primary Education (8 years)

• Must attend school at age 6• 8 year program

• 2 years of kindergarten• 6 years of grade 1-6

• Emphasizes a child-centered approach• No formal examinations at the end of Primary school• Multifaceted teaching approach• Curriculum is designed to provide children with many learning opportunities

Primary School Curriculum• Languages (English and Irish)• Mathematics• Social, environmental and scientific education• Arts education* (including visual arts, music and drama)• Physical education• Social, personal and health education

Does anything stick out yet?

Secondary Schools• 6 years of High school• 2 major exams, very important*• After 3 years, “Junior Cert.”

• Ages 12-15• Transition Year Option***• After another 3 years, “Leaving Exam”• Senior Cycle ages 15-18

Grading System• Point system• Take 6-8 classes• 100 points per class, out of 600 points• Ex. “To be a doctor, you need all A’s or 600 points”• **Leaving Exam determines where and what you can study in college.

Interview with Killian Ankers• In your personal opinion, what would be the biggest

difference(s) between the education system of Ireland and that of America?- • “The grading system is very different. “The Leaving Cert” is a BIG

exam. It determines what college you get in to and what you study. You pick what you want to study in college before you sit your exam (The Leaving Cert), then results come, and it decides what you can study in college.”

Interview continued• What would be the biggest cultural difference(s) between

Irish and American culture, i.e. manners, friendliness, importance of wealth and materialism?- • The sense of humor is different. Irish are very sarcastic. And in

America they don’t pick up on it. Importance of wealth, kind of similar. Standard of living is better in America though.

• School is a lot more informal in Ireland. Go drinking with high school teachers.

Interview continued• How important are athletics, music, and the arts in your

system?• Pretty important. But unfortunately not a long of funding for

athletics. (Different than America). More emphasis on music in Ireland (different than America). Take music lessons during school day.

• Depends on the school, but in my school involvement was really important. Charity is really important in private school. Not so much in public school.

• Rugby and football is really big. But track and field isn’t huge (difference to America).

Interview continued• In Irish society, in what regard are teachers/educators

held? High, indifferent, or low?- • “Teachers are well respected in Ireland.”

• How important is education in general in Ireland?• Really important. That’s why Ireland’s economy did well for awhile,

because we were highly educated with relatively cheap labor. Then companies moved away to find cheaper labor.

Interview continued• Do you believe the Irish educational system to be

effective? Or could you offer any critique of the system?• Its really bad. Compared to America and European mainland. Much

better system in America or Europe. In Ireland there is the Point system, you pick your courses, and there’s no flexibility. If you start your medical course, and you don’t like it, and you want you to switch to business, you have to start over. Have to drop out and wait 6 months, and your credits do not transfer over. There is no credit system. Although they might be implementing one soon.

Interview• Did you attend private or public school? In your opinion,

what of the two are more successful in Ireland?• I went to public grade school. It didn’t have a lot of funding. It was

small. Depends what region you live in. I went to private for high school. Won a scholarship so it was free. A lot of people go to public school. Private is a lot better, lot more money for activities. Teaching was a lot better in private school. Private schools have a lot more involvement with the colleges. My friends in public school went to school 9am-330pm, and private school there are more afterschool stuff, and its encouraged more.

• **grade school and high school about 30 kids in a class.

Interview Continued• Did you wear a school uniform?

• You wear a uniform in grade school and in high school. Didn’t mind.• How important is assessment in Ireland, i.e. standardized

tests, college boards like the SATs?• In the classroom, there is no continuous assessment, just one big

exam at Christmas time and before summer time big exam. Small tests or weekly quizzes, but they don’t affect your grade. Anxiety, toward big exams. Weekly quiz less anxiety. Worked out better. Stressful at exam time but you knew everything you needed for the whole year. But it also promotes laziness during the year, falling behind chapters, and you cram. Teachers were crazy. Junior Cert is really important. Really stressful. Grading system is totally different. 85-100 is an A. 70- a B. So when I came to America and I got a 70 I was like “what!??” =)

Compare and ContrastSimilarities that allow us to connect

with the student

• The language, it’s the same.

• Values are similar- wealth• Curriculum is similar.

Contrasts that need to be addressed.

• Grading system.• Sense of Humor• Importance of

extracurricular• More informal• School Uniforms

Concluding thoughts…• What decisions would you make based on this information

to better accommodate an Irish student that is new to your class?

Sources• http://www.educationireland.ie/index.php/irish-education• Interview with Kilian Ankers• http://www.educationireland.ie/index.php/irish-education/p

rimary-education/introduction?task=view• http://www.yourirish.com• http://www.discoverireland.com/us/• http://www.foundmark.com/Ireland• http://www.irelandlogue.com/about-ireland/10-useful-phra

ses-in-irish-as-gaeilge.html• http://www.americatoireland.com/2011/12/differences-bet

ween-american-and-irish.html