Roinn na Gaeilge
Tá an Ghaeilge éigeantach do gach dalta sa phríomhrang agus i rang a haon i gColáiste Choilm. Tugtar díolúine speisialta do dhaltaí a mbíonn fadhbanna foghlamtha sainiúla acu amhail disléicse, diosgraife, dioscalcúile, etc. I gcásanna den sórt seo, cuireann Roinn Tacaíochta Foghlama an Choláiste ranganna speisialta ar fáil in ionad na Gaeilge. Bíonn cead freisin ag daltaí ag a mbíonn díolúine oifigiúil Stáit an Spáinnis a dhéanamh in ionad na Gaeilge ón dara bliain amach.Córas de shraitheanna a bhíonn i bhfeidhm sa Choláiste maidir leis an Ghaeilge. Cuirtear daltaí i sraitheanna A, B, C.. de réir a gcumais sa teanga. De ghnáth bíonn dhá shraith i ngach rang. Roinntear na ranganna mar a leanas:
- an scoil shóisearach - réamhrang suas go dtí an 3ú rang
- an bhliain idirghabhála - an 4ú rang
- an scoil shinsearach - an 5ú agus an 6ú rang
An Scoil Shóisearach
Leanann Coláiste Choilm treoirlínte mar atáthar leagtha amach don Teastas Sóisearach ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta. Ullmhaítear daltaí i gcaitheamh trí bliana (ranganna 1-3) don Ard- agus don ghnáthleibhéal den Teastas Sóisearach. Sna ranganna cuirtear béim faoi leith ar mhodhanna cumarsáide agus ar an teanga bheo. Bítear ag féachaint ar chláir TG4, go háirithe ar ‘Aifric’ agus déantar iarracht topaicí a roghnú a bheadh mar ábhair inspéise agus bainteach le saol an Choláiste.An Bhliain Idirghabhála
Bíonn dhá shraith sa bhliain seo; gnáthshraith agus ardshraith. Ag an ghnáthshraith, cuirtear béim faoi leith ar labhairt na teanga agus déantar iarracht scileanna bunúsacha cainte a fhorbairt sna daltaí. Téitear i mbun modhanna éagsúla leis an aidhm sin a bhaint amach. Baintear úsáid as díospóireachtaí, drámaíocht, amhránaíocht agus cláir oiriúnacha de chuid TG4. San ardsraith, dírítear isteach ar litríocht na Gaeilge san fhichiú haois ó shaothair thosaigh na hAthbheochana go dtí na scríbhneoirí déanacha, amhail: Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Micheál Ó Conghaile, Alan Titley, Daithí Ó Muirí agus Séamas Mac Annaidh. Maidir le filíocht, scrúdaítear go grinn dánta Uí Ríordáin agus saothair na bhfilí Innti. Iarrtar ar na daltaí go léir (sa dá shraith) tionscnaimh a ullmhú ar ábhair a mbeadh suim faoi leith acu iontu agus déantar measúnú ar na tionscnaimh sin mar chuid dá n-obair go léir don idirbhliain. Bíonn scrúduithe le seasamh ag na daltaí sa chéad dá thréimhse den bhliain agus tástálacha gairide le déanamh acu i gcaitheamh na tríú tréimhse.An Scoil Shinsearach
Bíonn dhá shraith sa Ghaeilge sa scoil shinsearach. Leantar an cúrsa mar atá leagtha amach ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta do dhaltaí a bhíonn ag ullmhú don Ardteistiméireacht. Cuirtear a lán áiseanna ar fáil do na dalta amhail: láithreán Gaeilge an Choláiste, Examsupport.ie, agus seomra ríomhaireachta. Soláthraítear breisranganna taobh amuigh den sceideal oifigiúil do phaistí a mbeadh deacrachtaí sainiúla acu agus bíonn na ranganna féin beag go leor (c. 18 ag an ghnáthleibhéal; c. 8 ndalta ag an Ardleibhéal). Tugtar aire indibhidiúil do gach dalta agus buíochas le córas na dteagascóirí déantar monatóireacht cúramach leanúnach ar dhul chun cinn na ndaltaí i rith an chúrsa go léir.The Department of Irish
The study of Irish is obligatory in both primary and first form classes at the College of St Columba. Exemptions are given to pupils who have learning difficulties such dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc. In cases such as these, the College Learning Support Department provides additional classes during Irish lessons in order to address any particular areas of concern. Children who have acquired an official State exemption are required to continue studying this subject from second form onwards. Pupils are allocated to different sets within each form according to their ability and knowledge of the subject. There are usually two sets within each form; a higher-level set and an ordinary-level set. The teaching of Irish is divided into three schools:- junior school – primary up to 3rd form
- transition year – 4th form
- senior school – 5tgh and 6th forms
The Junior School
The St Columba’s junior cycle follows the guidelines as laid out by the Department of Education and Science. Pupils in forms 1 – 3 are prepared for the Junior Certificate at the Ordinary and Higher Levels according to their ability in the subject. In the classes communication skills, both oral and written, are emphasized in our teaching structures and practices. Conversation, debates, oral physical repetition exercises and audio-visual aids are used extensively throughout the three years. The pupils also watch appropriate materials broadcast on TG4, particularly the series ‘Aifric’. Each week, themes are chosen that will relate directly to the pupils experience in the College and many of the reading materials provided for their classes reflect pupil interests.The Transition Year
The transition year consists of two separate strands. These strands have been designed in order to facilitate the most appropriate programmes for pupils of varying abilities. The first strand for the lower set is directed at developing oral and written skills. In it pupils are required to study a range of topics relating to Gaelic culture and Irish life. A variety of methods is used to promote both active and passive language skills: e.g. discussion on prepared topics, drama, music and watching suitable programs on TG4.The second strand, with a slightly higher academic profile, requires more reading and the preparation of special projects which pupils present to their class at the end of the academic year. The higher set also studies the development of Gaelic literature in the 20th century from early revivalist literature up to modern writers such as; Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Micheál Ó Conghaile, Alan Titley, Daithí Ó Muirí and Séamas Mac Annaidh. Particular attention is given to the work of Seán Ó Ríordáin and to the Innti poetry movement. Written examinations are taken by both sets in the first two terms and in the final term pupil-performance is assessed on the basis of their project-work alone.
