Irish & French: Oral & Aural Summer Courses

Course details: Aimed at students going into 2nd & 3rd year in August/September 2021

Course Duration: Monday 16th August – Thursday 19th Aug 2021 from 9am-10.30am and 11am-12.30pm.

Session 1-French: 9am to 10.30am

Session 2-Gaeilge: 11am to 12.30pm

Fee = €85 [4 days: 12 hours of language tuition ]

This course will give you the boost in confidence that you may need before entering 2nd or 3rd year so you can start the new academic school year as you mean to go on.

The Carlow Academy’s study centre is equipped with a canteen area for students to enjoy their breaks in a sociable setting by mixing with friends and making new ones. 

There will be a 30-minute break at 11am. Students are encouraged to bring their own food and fruit/healthy snacks to keep them focused and there is a fresh water fountain on site to fill up water bottles. There is also a fridge and a toaster that students can avail of if needs be.

Students must stay in the Academy for the full break and lunch time for health and safety reasons.

Gaeilge: A Guide to the “Ranganna” Content

  • Oral/Aural Work: the programme places a strong emphasis on developing the pupil’s confidence and willingness to speak Irish by providing each pupil with every opportunity to speak the language in a fun environment.
  • Writing skills: post cards, letters, essays etc..
  • Vocabulary Building: The following themes are given as a guideline from the new first year specification:
    Mise Mé Féin, Mo scoil nua (My new school), M’áit chónaithe (where I live), An Baile Mór (town), An Aimsir (the weather), na séasúir (the seasons) agus Féilte na Bliana (annual holidays), An Corp agus sláinte (health and the body), Spórt (sport).,Caithimh Aimsire (pasttimes)
  • Comprehension Passages
  • Grammar
  • Staidéar/Study
    Each day pupils will be given a variety of exercises to complete based on work covered. Homework will be corrected and returned the following day with individual feedback. This will allow parents to see progress pupils are making and any particular difficulties they are having with the language. We believe that it is better for the pupils to complete their work at the Academy and so have the afternoon free to relax.

French: A Guide to the “Salle de français” Content

Within each programme, we aim to develop an ear for the language and offer an enjoyable experience in a stimulating learning environment. As communication among pupils is largely based on speech, oral work holds a very important place in our classes. Our communicative approach ensures every pupil is given ample opportunity to actually speak the language. Activities are varied and stimulating and include amongst others: role-playing, games, mimes etc.

Themes are practical and chosen so that pupils can relate to them. They also overlap with work from the new Junior Cycle specification. The following themes are given as a guideline: Meeting someone, Talking about yourself, Your family, Your environment: house, animals, hobbies, Counting, Expressing likes and dislikes, Eating out, Going to the shop, Describing the weather, Expressing emotions, Going to the Doctor, Asking for directions.

Course details: Aimed at students going into 5th & 6th year in August/September 2021

Course Duration: Monday 16th August – Thursday 19th Aug 2021 from 1.30pm-3pm and 3.30pm-5pm.

Session 1-Gaeilge: 1.30pm to 3pm

Session 2-French: 3.30pm to 5pm

Fee = €85 [4 days: 12 hours of language tuition ]

This course will give you the boost in confidence that you may need before entering 5th or 6th year so you can start the new academic school year as you mean to go on.

The Carlow Academy’s study centre is equipped with a canteen area for students to enjoy their breaks in a sociable setting by mixing with friends and making new ones. 

There will be a 30-minute break at 3pm. Students are encouraged to bring their own food and fruit/healthy snacks to keep them focused and there is a fresh water fountain on site to fill up water bottles. There is also a fridge and a toaster that students can avail of if needs be or alternatively they can go out for their break but must return on time for the second session to begin at 3.30pm. 

French Oral & Aural Course

The course will cover the syllabus for the French Oral exam which accounts for 25% (Higher Level) & 20% (Ordinary Level) of the Leaving Cert French Exam. Our highly experienced teachers are State Oral Examiners. Consequently, they are up to date with the new relevant marking schemes and appropriate exam technique that students need to adopt. The course will also cover the syllabus for the French Aural exam which accounts for 20% (Higher Level) & 25% (Ordinary Level) of the Leaving Cert French Exam. 

Gaeilge Oral & Aural Course

The course will cover the syllabus for the Irish Oral exam which now accounts for 40% of the Leaving Cert Irish Exam for both Higher & Ordinary level students. Our highly experienced teachers are State Oral Examiners. Consequently, they are up to date with the new relevant marking schemes and appropriate exam technique that students need to adopt. The course will also cover the syllabus for the Irish Aural exam which now accounts for 10% of the Leaving Cert Irish Exam for both Higher & Ordinary level students. 

Each day pupil will be given a variety of exercises to complete during preparation and review.               

Work will be corrected with individual formative feedback provided. This will allow students to see the progress they are making and any particular difficulties they are having with the language.