Short courses designed by external agencies

The course aims to provide an African-centred approach to the study of the history, social life, culture, and geography of countries on the African continent. This course aims to deepen students’ understanding and knowledge of Africa, to challenge negative stereotypes and outdated misconceptions about the continent. Armed with new knowledge and new ideas, students will be empowered to tell new stories and so possibly change the narrative about Africa.

The aims of this Cyber Security short course are for students to develop:
• a holistic understanding of cyber security by drawing on perspectives and skills from across the subject disciplines.
• cyber resilience by preparing students to navigate the digital world in a safe and responsible manner.
• a knowledge base for potential future studies or career opportunities in the field of cyber security.

There are a number of key documents available on the website that will guide your work in the classroom.

Creative Dance and Movement: communicating and collaborating for physical and personal development

In this short course, students learn to appreciate the importance of regular health-enhancing physical and creative activities and to make informed choices about how to include physical and creative activities as part of a healthy lifestyle. Such informed choices are key to the development of lifelong habits. Student-centred teaching and learning, where students have control over creative choices, is an important aspect of the course. The course introduces basic dance and movement activities which are teacher-led and these form the foundation of the student-led individual and team activities.

A Junior Cycle short course on climate action was published in July 2021. The course has been developed by a team of educators with expertise in Education for Sustainability, including two Educate Together post-primary teachers. The development process included consultation with youth groups, teachers, and experts in pedagogy. Three Supporting Organisations also provided written input to help guide the development process: The Irish Second Level Students’ Union, Fridays for Future Ireland and the Students’ Climate Action Network. The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) and Educators for Sustainability collaborated in running a pilot programme of the short course, which began in the school year 2021-2022. 

The course specification has been developed in accordance with NCCA guidelines template and feedback for 100 hours of engagement over the three years of Junior Cycle.

Airfield Estate aims to enable and inspire people to make better food choices, and that means better for their health, better for their finances and better for the environment. By participating in this course, the student will be engaging with food and its production from the soil all the way through to its consumption, involving both agricultural, business and culinary practices. It has been developed in accordance with the NCCA template and guidelines.

Junior Certificate Short Course - Airfield Estate

This short course in Lithuanian as a Heritage Language aims to maintain and develop students’ proficiency levels in Lithuanian and their knowledge of Lithuanian literature and culture in order to consolidate and deepen their literacy skills and make them more self-aware as learners. It has been developed in accordance with the NCCA template and guidelines.

• Junior Cycle Short Course in Lithuanian as a Heritage Language

This Short Course in Polish as a Heritage Language aims to maintain and develop students’ proficiency levels in Polish, to explore the interdependence between language and culture and to foster an appreciation for the culture, traditions and values of their heritage language. It also aims to consolidate and deepen their literacy skills and make them more self-aware as learners. It has been developed in accordance with the NCCA template and guidelines.

• Specification for Junior Cycle Short Course in Polish as a Heritage Language

The aim of this course is for students to develop language proficiency in Russian at level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). The course also aims to develop language awareness and intercultural awareness in combination with digital literacy skills. It has been developed in accordance with the NCCA template and guidelines.

• Junior Cycle Short Course in Russian Language and Culture

The aim of this course is for students to develop language proficiency in Japanese at level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). The course also aims to develop language awareness and intercultural awareness in combination with digital literacy skills. It has been developed in accordance with the NCCA template and guidelines.

• Junior Cycle Short Course in Japanese Language and Culture