Junior Cycle Irish builds upon the language developed during primary education. The learner’s vocabulary is both reinforced and enriched at this stage and the language skills (listening, speaking, reading, spoken interaction and writing) are further developed here at ETSS Wicklow. Both Irish teachers place emphasis on promoting and developing awareness: language awareness, cultural awareness as well as student self-awareness as a language learner.

Students in English-medium schools are to a large extent dependent on the Irish language classroom, but here at ETSS Wicklow, we support the teaching of Irish outside the classroom by promoting Gaeilge 24 Day and Seachtain na Gaeilge. 

This emphasis on developing a language community is inherent in the course specifications and in line with the vision set out in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010-2030), in particular the need  'to give life to the Irish language outside the classroom for the young people who study it in the formal education system.’

The students’ attitudes to the use of Irish as a living language develops through their appreciation and exposure to the language community and how they consider, view and reflect on themselves as language learners.