The English Department
English is a core subject at junior and senior cycle, with state exams at the end of each cycle. The English department in Scoil Iósaif is focused on allowing our students to achieve academic excellence while exploring the written word and developing their own skills as writers.
With a strong focus on literacy and maintaining cross-curricular links, the curriculum is delivered enthusiastically and with expertise by teachers who are passionate about their subject.
There is a rich and varied Transition Year programme, giving students the opportunity to study aspects of literature and film that are not covered in Junior or Senior cycle – The Outsiders novel and film, poetry in rap music, writing workshops, and much more.
The English department also oversees the delivery of English and Communications in the Leaving Cert Applied programme.
Junior Cycle
Junior Cycle English focuses on the development of language and literacy in and through the three strands: Oral Language, Reading, and Writing, focusing on communicating and active engagement through the exploration of a range of texts. There is a strong focus on the oral dimension of language, including the vital importance of learning through oral language. The English classroom is an active space, where learners explore language and ideas through thinking and talking as through listening and writing. Students complete a classroom based assessment in year 2 and year 3, which count towards their final grade. Examples of texts studied include: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, E.T. directed by Stephen Spielberg and Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.