Irish Culture and Contemporary English – CED-PCA
Centre of English Studies

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on blending language development, some basic pedagogy, and Irish culture, both traditional and modern. On this course, the participants will be immersed in a general understanding of Irish culture and get an opportunity to experience and understand the growth and development of Ireland.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is suitable for teachers at any stage of their career, from novice to expert. The cultural touchstones will be delivered in such a way as to make them relatable and comparable to teachers in their own context.

COURSE AIMS:
This course aims to provide a clear and comprehensive cultural experience for the participants. The course will aim at giving the participants a nuanced viewed of such areas of Irish culture as Irish dancing, Irish music, Irish sport, the Irish Language, Irish history, Irish politics, and the Irish diaspora. We will look at Ireland’s relationship with the UK, the EU, and the USA, and focus on the recent economic and social changes that Ireland has undergone.

COURSE STRUCTURE:
This course will contain a number of presentation and practical engagement sessions where the participants get an understanding of each particular area of culture but also to actually engage as much as possible in the practical elements of the culture. Each participant will be able to take home a range of online resources to allow for further study and understanding.

SAMPLE PROGRAMME:
1) Monday
- Introduction and cross-cultural comparisions
- Key aspect of Irish culture
2) Tuesday
- Irish History and Politics Overview
- Music and Dance in Irish Culture
- Cultural Session
3) Wednesday
- Language Lesson: Irish and Hiberno-English
- Modern Ireland
4) Thursday
- Irish Literature and Art
- The Irish Diaspora
- Cultural Session
5) Friday
- Cultural Presentation
- Ireland and her Neighbours