Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 [educationmatters.ie]
- Published: 09 November 2011
The Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission offers funding for a range of activities for schools, educators and pupils.
Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013The Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission offers funding for a range of activities for schools, educators and pupils.
- Comenius School Partnerships: pupils, students and staff from schools across Europe work together on joint projects over two years. Deadline for applications: 21 February 2012
- Comenius Regio Partnerships: local and regional authorities with a direct role in school education, schools and other actors in education, work with European partners on topics of mutual interest. Deadline: 21 February 2012
In My Opinion: Tackling our insecurites about languages is vital to the economy [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 November 2011
Given the current state of the country, it's hardly surprising there's much wrangling around education.
The Junior Cert is set for a Joan Rivers-style facelift, whilst Ruairi Quinn agonises over how to make the education system "fit for purpose". In terms of foreign languages, this task is massive: having consistently ignored complaints from experts and educators, having whistled past the sprawling graveyard of domestic policy documents and directives from the EU, will the Government finally make modern foreign languages a priority and source of pride in Ireland's schools?
According to a Royal Irish Academy (RIA) report, 66pc of people claimed no knowledge of a modern foreign language. It's unsurprising, since learning a foreign language in school isn't compulsory.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Diary of a Schoolteacher: Teachers have it easy? Try dealing with problem pupils like Aaron... [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 November 2011
My brother F has me trapped in his car, giving me a lift. Off he goes: 'You're such a spoofer, E! I've read your diary, and there's no way it can be true! All that stuff about kids running wild and making threats is rubbish.
Teachers have it easy!' The only answer is to give him one example of how it is for me dealing with a single individual pupil. Here it is.
I pass third year's Aaron, on my way to take his class roll at nine. He's bolt upright leaning against the wall beside the entrance doors.
He's obviously very stressed; his face is bright red and he's muttering to himself.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teaching life skills using board games? It's child's play . . . [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 November 2011
It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, and as the Great Depression deepens, the nation's toy stores are gearing up for a bumper Christmas of board game sales.
After two decades of steadliy losing out to crash-bang-wallop computer rivals, traditional games like Scrabble, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit have enjoyed a big revival over the past two recession-hit Yules.
One figure in the trade recently ventured: "When money is tight, people turn to brands they know and trust. People pick things they remember from their childhood."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
A disability that nobody can see [IrishTimes]
- Published: 08 November 2011
Aside from dealing with ‘clumsiness’ and pain, seven-year-old Luc struggles with the simplest of tasks – running, writing, dressing, eating. He suffers from the little-known condition dyspraxia, writes SHEILA WAYMAN
LUC CARPENTER often cries all the way home from school, complaining that he is hungry or that he has had a bad day or that somebody has been mean to him.
As a seven-year-old boy with the “hidden disorder” of dyspraxia, the school day is a huge ordeal physically, academically and socially. He is exhausted afterwards.
The moment his mother, Michelle, gets him back to their home, in Clane, Co Kildare, she needs to give him food, as he will probably have eaten little if anything since breakfast. Then he has a break before they face the challenge of homework.
His writing is “absolutely appalling”, she says. “I have to say, ‘I will do this line if you do that line.’ Spelling – it is like banging your head against a brick wall. At the moment he seems to be good at maths, which I am highlighting.”
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
