Sistema Educativo en Irlanda

SISTEMA EDUCATIVO EN IRLANDA

DESTINO IRLANDA

El sistema irlandés está dividido en cuatro ciclos, regulados por el Department of Education and Science:

Primary

La educación obligatoria empieza a los 6 años pero gran parte de los niños empieza a asistir al colegio 1 o 2 años antes. La primaria consta de 8 años: Kindergarten junior, kindergarten senior, más cursos del 1º al 6º. El curriculum se divide en áreas: Languages, Mathematics, Social, Environmental and Scientific, Arts, Physical y Social, personal and health.

El año escolar empieza en septiembre y termina a finales de junio. Hay periodos de vacaciones en Navidad y Semana Santa. No existen exámenes oficiales al final de este ciclo.

Post-Primary (Secundary)

Se imparte en las escuelas de Secondary, Vocational y Community & Comprehensive, la mayoría públicas y gratuitas.

Las escuelas de Secundaria muchas veces están gestionadas fe forma privada, incluida la gestión por organismos religiosos.
Las escuelas Vocacionales están gestionadas por losVocational Educational Committees (VECs) de los gobiernos locales, a modo de centros de Formación Profesional.
Los Community & Comprenhensive Schools están gestionados por el Board of Management, ofrecen formación tanto académica, como técnica a adultos para ayudarles con su inserción laboral.

El ciclo Post Primary suele comenzar a los 12 años de edad y dura 6 años divididos en dos etapas: 3 años de Junior y 2-3 años de Senior. Un “Transition Year” permite acceder al mercado laboral. Los estudiantes deben elegir un mínimo de 5 asignaturas, incluyendo las tres obligatorias de inglés, irlandés y matemáticas. Los que acceden al sistema a partir de los 11 años no están obligados a examinarse de irlandés. El ciclo finaliza a los 17-18 años con el examen Leaving Certificate Examination, con tres opciones en función de su destino: The Leaving Certificate Programme para los que continúan hacia la Universidad, The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) para los que optan por un estudio técnico y The Leaving Certificate Applied para los que salen al mundo laboral.

Further Education and Training

Se imparte esta educación tanto en centros públicos como privados, de distinta indole siempre que estén reconocidos por el Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)

Higher Education and Training

Esta Educación se imparte en: Universidades, Institutos de Tecnología, Centros de Educación Superior y Centros Privados validados por el Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).

Asignaturas de primer, segundo y tercer año

Es necesario que los estudiantes escojan al menos cinco asignaturas. Las siguientes asignaturas están disponibles en el nivel junior. No todas las escuelas imparten todas las asignaturas, pero estas son las que reconoce el Departamento de educación irlandés (1º, 2º y 3º):

Irlandés – Italiano – Inglés – Ciencia – Tecnología – CSPE (Ciencias sociales y políticas) – Historia – Matemáticas – Economía – Historia – Latín – Música – Griego – Arte, oficio y diseño – Estudios clásicos – Tecnología de los materiales (madera) – Estudios hebreos – Carpintería en metal – Francés – Gráficos técnicos – Español – Estudios empresariales – Alemán – Mecanografía – Estudios sociales y del medio

La mayoría de las asignaturas se imparten en dos niveles

Asignaturas de quinto y sexto año

Es necesario que los estudiantes escojan un mínimo de cinco asignaturas y un máximo de siete. Algunas escuelas insisten en que los estudiantes de intercambio escojan su idioma nativo para asistir a las clases son sus compañeros. No todas las escuelas imparten todas las asignaturas, pero estas son las que reconoce el Departamento de educación irlandés:

Irlandés – Física y química – Inglés – Ciencias de la agricultura – Latín – Biología – Griego – Economía agrícola – Estudios clásicos – Ingeniería – Estudios hebreos – Dibujo técnico – Francés – Construcción – Alemán – Economía doméstica (científica y social) – Italiano – Economía doméstica (general) – Español – Contabilidad – Historia – Organización empresarial – Geografía – Economía – Matemáticas – Historia de la economía – Matemáticas aplicadas – Arte (incluyendo oficios) – Física o química

La mayoría de las asignaturas se imparten en dos niveles

Tenga en cuenta que no todas las escuelas ofrecen estas asignaturas. No podemos garantizar que en las escuelas que se le han asignado al alumnado se impartan las asignaturas que el solicitante eligió en primer lugar. Algunas escuelas solicitan que los estudiantes escojan las asignaturas que les interesen antes de su llegada, mientras que otras permitirán elegirlas la primera semana. En algunos casos, el procedimiento consistirá en seleccionar el horario de las asignaturas basándose en las primeras solicitudes y las que están disponibles, ya que algunas asignaturas pueden estar muy solicitadas.

AÑO DE TRANSICIÓN

El Año de transición (Transition Year) consiste en un programa interdisciplinar cuya duración es de un año para los alumnos que han terminado el tercer año.

El proyecto va dirigido para que el alumno experimente una maduración intelectual, social y emocional. Se concibe como una introducción a la educación para adultos. El Año de transición está formado por los siguientes contenidos:

Educación social; educación moral; educación para vivir (incluyendo educación para la paternidad, empleo y ocio); filosofía y lógica aplicada; artes y música; estudios irlandeses; clases de civilización para estudiantes de países europeos donde se hablen lenguas continentales; educación visual; educación de los medios de comunicación y habilidades sociales; etc. Muchos estudiantes del Año de transición también tendrán que trabajar la experiencia fuera de la escuela. El contenido del Año de transición varía de una escuela a otra. Muchas escuelas viajan y realizan actividades. Estos viajes suponen un gasto extra y no entrarán dentro de los gastos que cubre el programa.

EXÁMENES ESTATALES

Los exámenes estatales que organiza el Ministerio de Educación irlandés tienen lugar en las siguientes fechas:

Certificado junior (Junior Certificate) – al final del tercer año.
Certificado final (Leaving Certificate) – al final del sexto año.

Los exámenes de idiomas incluyen pruebas orales. Los demás exámenes se hacen por escrito. No existe la evaluación continua en los exámenes estatales. En el certificado final (Leaving Certificate) entran temas relacionados con las asignaturas de quinto y sexto año. No se recomienda que los estudiantes extranjeros que hagan este examen después de un solo año de estudio en Irlanda. Los estudiantes que deseen realizar los exámenes estatales deberán hacer lo siguiente: adquirir el consentimiento de su escuela; pagar las tasas del examen y organizar las disposiciones financieras de una estancia oficial prolongada (los exámenes estatales comienzan normalmente sobre el 8 de junio después de que el programa finalice).

EXÁMENES DE LA ESCUELA

Normalmente, la escuela realiza los exámenes antes de las vacaciones de Navidad. El resultado de estos exámenes se recoge en el informe de cada estudiante, el cual expide la escuela a los padres o tutores del estudiante. Los estudiantes internacionales deberán solicitar estos informes ya que Always School no los recibe. A finales de mayo o principios de junio del primer, segundo o quinto año los estudiantes también tienen exámenes. Cada año se realiza un simulacro del certificado junior (tercer año) y del certificado final (sexto año) en abril. Estos exámenes consisten en una preparación para los exámenes estatales.

%	Grade
90 – 100 %	A1
85 – 89 %	A2
80 – 84 %	B1
75 – 79 %	B2
70 – 74 %	B3
65 – 69 %	C1
60 – 64 %	C2
55 – 59 %	C3
50 – 54 %	D1
45 – 49 %	D2
40 – 44 %	D3
25 – 39 %	E
10 – 24 %	F
0 – 9 %	NG (no grade)

El mínimo grado para aprobar una asignatura es D3

TRANSITION YEAR

SOCIAL WORK PLACEMENT

All TY students must have a work placement
The placement should be of a social nature (see list attached)
The period of time and the frequency of this work depend on each college’s policy

WORK EXPERIENCE

You must get the attached work placement form filled out by your employer and hand it back to your TY coordinator by the date required.

For each placement, all students are expected to organise their own placement for the specific dates.

WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS

Many girls and boys in the Transition Year Programme start looking for work experience only a couple of days before the actual placement. Then, they wonder why some people have found excellent placements whereas others felt useless and didn’t learn anything during their placement.

YOU MUST START LOOKING EARLY IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THIS SITUATION

In our experience, the sooner you start looking for work experience, the better you will enjoy it. Generally, the best placement jobs that people find are places where they already had some kind of “possibility”. Often the best placements are obtained where a relation or friend of your parents works. Sometimes, great placements can be obtained through your neighbours who work in the kind of job you are interested in.

USE YOUR NETEWORKS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO FIND A PLACEMENT

What if you don’t have a “possibility”? In this case, you must create yours and have a strategy whereby you have a good CV made up and you contact as many companies or organisations that interest you as possible.

CREATE YOUR OWN “POSSIBILITY”: HAVE A STRATEGY, USE YOUR RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Do’s	Don’ts
Start looking early	Leave it until the last minute
Find a placement that interests you	Avoid getting a placement with other TY’s
Step outside your comfort zone	Don’t take the easy option
Get the Work placement forms filled in and returned ASAP	Let yourself down whilst on placement
Use your network of family and friends
Know what is expected of you on your placement
Be pro active / Show initiative
Ask questions
Learn from your experience

WORK PLACEMENT IDEAS

Here are some ideas for the Transition year work placement. You can use this list as a starting point to help you find a placement. Please remember to choose your work experience according to your interests and skills.

Retail: local shops, supermarkets (Supervalu, Lidl, Tesco), music stores (Music maker, Sound shop), bicycle sale and repair shops…
Education: crèches, primary schools, universities…
Trades: motor mechanics, carpentry, electrician, plumber, roofer, painter, tiling, printer…
Public services: fire and ambulance service, police (Garda), coast guard, army, air cops, prison service, libraries, administration positions (various government departments)
Legal: solicitor, barrister, legal executive
Medical: local hospitals, veterinary clinics, laboratories, medical supplies, dentist…
IT: firms (Google, Facebook, Paypal, Daft, Microsoft, Ebay, Twitter), computer maintenance/repair shops, graphic design companies
General: accounting companies, architectural companies, banks, engineering, estate agents, gym instructor, interior design companies, recruitment agencies, stock broking companies
Outdoor placement: farming, golf clubs, landscaping, outdoor pursuit centres, tree surgeon

WRITING FOR A PLACEMENT

Even if the school may have organised a work experience placement for you, it is quite likely that the skill of letter-writing will be an important one for you to develop. That is why you may have to write a letter explaining why you would like a particular placement and confirm the details in writing. Below are examples of such letters.

My name,

Address,

Co. Dublin

012 345678

Date, Month in Full, Year

Re: Work Experience/Community Service Placement (only put in the correct one!)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a Transition Year student at XXX Community School, Co. Dublin. As part of this programme I would like to do my work experience/community service with you.

My placement takes place from (date) _______________ to (date) ______________ inclusive. I am required to work during normal school hours which are 9am-4pm during the school term (but I can be flexible to work longer if needed). No payment is expected for this placement. I am covered by the schools insurance policy during this period.

I have heard very good reports about your company and I am interested in working with you because I feel that I will gain lots of new skills and improve my confidence and my ability to communicate. I enclose my curriculum vitae for your attention.

If you are interested in meeting me, I would be delighted to attend for an interview any time at your convenience. If you require any more information about my course, the school programmes co-ordinator, Ms Jane Doe will be glad to assist you. She can be contacted at our school at 051 12345.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

_______________

My name

XXX Community College

Address,

Dublin

TY mobile: 012 345656

ty@xcommunitycollege.ie

17th March 2016

Dear Employer,

_________________ is a Transition year student in XXX Community College. She/He has requested a social placement with you on ____________ (dates). We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for agreeing to facilitate one of our students. This active learning experience is paramount in preparing students for the future and also for participating in the Transition Year Programme. Our student will also obtain direct experience of the world of work and an adult working environment with its attendant duties and responsibilities. Work experience is covered by our school insurance; we have attached a copy of our insurance for you records.

We would be obliged if you confirm this placement on the form below and give it back to the student for return to the school.

If you have any questions in relation to this placement, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again for your valuable assistance with the development of our students.

Yours faithfully,

______________

(Name of the coordinator)

EXAMPLE: TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME

SUBJECT	CONTENT	ASSESSMENT

Accounting	The Enron scandal, tabular statements, Sage Accounts for schools	Participation in class discussion (20%), project on Financial Scandals, (80%), Students may work towards the SAGE certificate.

AppMathematics	Simpsons Rule and Applied accelerated motion.	Graded homework exercises; and the average of four continuous assessment exams.

Art	Study of the Impressionist period + an impressionist work, a self-portrait in a given style, and a 3D puppet head	Practical (painting) 70%, Essay 30% Self-portrait: prep 20%, proportions 30%, tone/colour 30%, style 20% Puppet: Design (20%), realisation (60%), colour etc (20%)

Biotechnology	A combination of applied biology and chemistry: it harnesses the natural processes and systems of living organisms to a variety of different technologies, with the objective of producing desired products. Theory and experimental work.	Theory (weekly), 40%, Practical 30%, Project 30%. (Project criteria, Presentation of work: 25%, Gathering of information and research: 25%, Conclusions and addressing the question: 25%, Showing your own thinking and reasoning: 25%)

Biology	Cell Biology, Role and function of food in the diet, Introduction to Human Anatomy, Introduction to Sports Science and common sports injuries.	Four written exercises (20% each) and a final poster (20%)

Business	Mortgages, Employment rights, Your rights as a “financial” consumer, Income tax credits, Protecting yourself, Protecting your possessions.	Written work 40%; Class tests 40%; Class participation and behaviour; 20%

Chemistry	Chemistry: reaction rates, particle theory of matter, catalysts and enzymes. Lavoisier, Law of conservation of mass. Agricultural Science: dairy and beef breeds of cattle ruminant stomach, micro-organisms in digestion, diets.	Internet research project worth 25%, Write up and presentation of experiment worth 25%, Examination at the end of the 7 week module split into 25% each

Classical Studies	The concept of the Gods and beliefs that existed in classical Greece (Olympics)	Completion of 12 of the class work sheets, each graded at 8%, overall effort, 4%

Design	Brief analysis, research, freehand sketching, refinement, CAD model making.	1 page research 10%; 1 page freehand sketches 20%; Finished 3D Solidworks model 70%

Economics	About economics, Economic systems. The role government in the economy, Factors of production (1. Land 2. Labour 3. Capital 4. Enterprise).	Wall Project 30%, Power point presentation 30%, Class test 40%

English	Novel Studies (+ reading of 3 novels) Perspectives of America in Literature and Film Modes of Language Comparative Studies/Film Studies	Five written assignments 50%, 800-1000 (typed) essay 30%, Class test 20% Homework 10%; Classwork 10%; In-class assessment 40% (2×20); Written assignment 40% (2×20) Comparative Study 40%, Essay 60%

Enterprise	Entrepreneurial Skills and Characteristics; Role of the Entrepreneur in Ireland today; Entrepreneur and entrepreneurial spirit examples; Financial Stock Markets; Student Enterprise idea generation – product development – 7 steps	Classroom Presentation/ Projects – weekly 30%, Formal Project & Presentation (Smartstocks) 30%, Smartstocks (Final Ranking & Trade count) 30%, Classroom Participation 10%

Food Appreciation	Food identification, nutrition, awareness. Basic cooking skills. Safety and hygiene.	Homework assignments 5 x 15% = 75%, Final Exam: 25%

French	Language development through biographies of the famous French- speaking people, the study of French film, role-plays, the study of cultural traditions, the rugby “World Cup”, reading of novellas, educational system	Module 1: Project Work (10%); Group Talk (3 x 20%); Grammar (10%); Homework (20%) Module 2: Personal avatar (30%), creation of articles in pairs (30%), homework (20%), Oral examination (20%) Module 3&4: Homework (40%), test on Novella (60%) Module 5&6: Final exam (40%), listening test (20%), oral presentation (20%), homework (20%)

Geography	Cartography, Geography of Popular Music	Three essays (30% each) and mapping task 10%.

German	Modern German history, vocabulary sheets, dialects, “false” translations, Grammatik, role play, cultural differences, (education, food, teenage life), German novel, debate on a prescribed motion.	Module 1: History p/point 20%; film review30%:test 30%; book review 20% Module 2: Oral exam (40%); Dialects (30%): Aktivität (30%) Module 3: Grammar 30%; Roleplays 30%: Report 20%; Book review 20% Module 4: Debate speech 20%; Oral Exam 40%; book review 20%; folder 20%

History	The Holocaust USA in the 1960’s – Political and Social Issues	Module 1 – 25% for homework assignments, 75% for ppt slideshow (60% content, 15% presentation)

Information Technology	Intro to MS Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel) with related exercises. Video and Image editing. Gaming programming	Assessment Criteria for each will be published at the beginning of each course

Irish	Module 1 – the oral and the aural Module 2 Module 3 Clár don idirbhlian	Oral notes (30%), poster (20%), Oral test (30%), Aural h/w (12%), Effort (5%) Beasaí/ Dearcadh (10%); Obair Bhaile (30%); Srúdaithe (60%) Le fail do chumarsáid ranga (20%), Don léirmheas litríochta (20%); Ag dul do na píosaí scríobhneoireachta (60%)

Mathematics	Probability, Statistics, Algebra, Trigonometry	Trigonometry: 10% Attendance 10% Application in class 10% Quality of homework 15% X 3 – Continuous assessments 25% Project, based on group field work Algebra: 2-3 tests per module, -3% per homework not completed Statistics: Class participation in discussions 10%; Statistics Poster 70%, Class Test (2) 20% Probability: Discussion in class (10%). Quality of homework (10%). Class test every two weeks (80%)

MediaStudies	An introduction to the key factors that drive ‘the Media’. Students produce their own piece.	Classwork 10 %; In-class assessment 20% (2×20); Written assignment 40% (2×20); Participation in group work (30%)

Music	An intro to older musical genres and lesser noticed aspects of the rock’n’roll genre	A project focusing upon student’s favourite artist, group and musical genre

P.E	Health Related Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Invasion Games, Water sports, Teams games	Participation

Physics	Product design, Optics, Newton, Electricity, Modern popular scientific writing	Each module is assessed at 20% on the basis of effort and willingness to engage with the material and academic accomplishment.

Religion	The search for Meaning and the Origins of Religion, Social Justice and Human Rights, Christianity, World Religions and contemporary faith and culture.	Homework, end of module typed assessment, and PowerPoint Presentation with verbal presentation.

Spanish	Language development through biographies of the famous Spanish speaking people, the study of Spanish film, role-plays, and the study of Spanish & Hispanic cultural traditions.	Project: 50%; Oral work: 15%; Homework: 15%; Aural: 10%; Written tests: 10%

TechGraphics	Introduction to drawing techniques using major and minor axis, focal points, point of contact, spirals in both plan and elevation on a cone, elevation and end-view of a truncated square based pyramid.	An average grade for homework drawings using the following criteria: Layout of the drawing; Drawing technique; Completion of the task.