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Secondary pupils in a classroom
Date
16 June 2021 - 13:18

Language learning in Northern Ireland: teachers have their say

'Ninety-two per cent of pupils don’t think languages are relevant to their future career.'

Tags
Languages
Shannon Sickels reading a book
Date
13 February 2020 - 12:30

'We want to be seen' – Shannon Sickels on identity

As Northern Ireland celebrates its first same-sex marriage, playwright and activist Shannon Sickels (Yee) tells us about identity and its role in learning.

Tags
Equal opportunities and diversity
Multicoloured school lockers
Date
21 May 2019 - 14:32

Why are fewer pupils in Northern Ireland choosing to learn a language?

A new report into languages in Northern Ireland shows a 19 per cent drop in uptake at GCSE level over the last eight years.

Tags
Publications, Languages
Orange jellyfish in a dark blue ocean
Date
28 February 2018 - 16:30

'All good stories for children are about conflict' – Myra Zepf, children's author

Northern Ireland Children's Writing Fellow Myra Zepf talks about writing for and by children, the joy of multilingual storytelling, and why she loves the Irish word for 'jellyfish'. 

Tags
Literature
Beacon of Hope statue in Belfast - metal sculpture of a woman facing the city
Date
27 February 2018 - 15:30

'Equality is an unfinished business' – activist and former politician Monica McWilliams

Monica McWilliams co-founded the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and was one of few women at the table for the multi-party peace negotiations leading to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.

Tags
Women and girls
'Northern Ireland is no stranger to emigration.' ©VisitBritain/ Tony Pleavin
Date
09 May 2016 - 07:58

How open are Northern Ireland's 16-year-olds to the world?

We asked Northern Ireland's 16-year-olds about their ambitions to go abroad for study, travel and work. Dr Dirk Schubotz, who directed the research, explains their answers.

Tags
Schools, Work outside the UK, Study outside the UK
Starting too early in the story is a common mistake
Date
28 July 2015 - 14:51

Is it better to be a short story writer or a novelist?

Are short story writers getting a raw deal? How is writing a short story different? Northern Ireland's Paul McVeigh, author of The Good Son, compares.

Tags
Literature, Arts
A kiss causes our brain to create a chemical cocktail that can give us a natural high. Image (c) Walt Stoneburner licensed under CC-BY and adapted from the original (links below).
Date
11 March 2015 - 10:52

What’s in a kiss? The science of smooching

Is there a scientific reason that explains why humans kiss? Yes, says Emer Maguire, winner of the Northern Irish instalment of the international science communication competition FameLab.

'Teachers and students are naturally attracted to authentic texts.'
Date
10 March 2014 - 17:01

How to use newspaper articles in language class

How should teachers use ‘authentic’ texts in class? Author, trainer and teacher Rachael Roberts gives advice on the example of newspapers.

Tags
English language, Teaching
'Hands across the divide’ sculpture in Derry~Londonderry. Photo (c) Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau, used with permission.
Date
23 December 2013 - 12:23

To win a conflict, you have to connect people to people

Mariane Pearl's husband was beheaded by a militant Islamic fundamentalist group in February 2002. In November 2013, Mariane was interviewed by Mike Patterson of BBC. Read it here.

Tags
Schools
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A group of three children from South Africa sitting inside a classroom at their study desk and chatting

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