English as a subject in Ireland
At the end of the academic year, an overview of where English as a subject is in the Republic of Ireland.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate 2025: English Paper 2
Some comments on the Higher Literature paper, 2025
Read MoreLeaving Certificate 2025: English Paper 1
Comments on today’s Leaving Certificate Paper 1 Higher Level.
Read MoreLetter to the 'Irish Times' on AI
A clearer version of my letter to the ‘Irish Times’ today on AI and the Leaving Certificate.
Read MoreWebinar on revising 'Macbeth' in the Leaving Certificate
On Tuesday 18th November 2025 I am giving a webinar on how teachers can help students revise Macbeth in the months leading up to the Leaving Certificate.
Read MoreWebinar on teaching 'Othello'
A webinar introduction to teaching Othello, especially in the Leaving Certificate, on Wednesday 10th September 2025.
Read MoreINOTE Response to New LC English Draft Specification
All English teachers in Ireland should read the response of the Irish National Organisation for Teachers of English to the recent draft curriculum specification for Leaving Certificate English.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate English Draft Specification
Initial thoughts on the Draft Curriculum Specification for Leaving Certificate English (February 2025).
Read MoreLeaving Cert English Reform
The integrity of Leaving Certificate English is being threatened by misconceived reform proposals.
Read MoreAdditional Assessment Components: English and AI
Where are we with the Additional Assessment Component in Leaving Certificate English in the context of AI? (illustration: typically terrible AI generated picture)
Read MoreGrade inflation in the Leaving Certificate
Drawing attention to the peculiar anomaly in which English has had dramatically less grade inflation in the Leaving Certificate since pre-pandemic times.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate English 2024: Paper 2
Comments on the Higher Level literature Paper 2 in the 2024 Leaving Certificate.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate English 2024: Paper 1
An assessment of English Paper 1 in the Leaving Certificate, June 2024.
Read More'Irish Times' article
Additional notes to my ‘Irish Times’ article on the future of education in Ireland.
Read More'Small Things Like These': teaching notes 2
Second series of teaching notes on Small Things Like These, covering Section 3.
Read MoreWebinar on teaching 'Small Things Like These'
A free webinar via Tralee Education Support Service for teachers of Claire Keegan’s novel Small Things Like These.
Read More'Small Things Like These': teaching notes 1
Post 1 of Teaching Notes on Claire Keegan’s novel 'Small Things Like These.
Read MoreEnglish Meet 2024
The third English Meet is being planned for Wednesday 1st May.
Read MoreTen Points on Leaving Certificate English
Some thoughts on where we are with Leaving Certificate English, as Senior Cycle Reform gets closer, and as the AI revolution gathers pace.
Read MoreOn the English Leaving Certificate fuss of 2009
A post published originally in June 2009, following the incident when Paper 2 Leaving Certificate English had to be rescheduled, and there was a media firestorm.
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