Irish curriculum families at Qlive
Ireland is one of the countries where we teach the most students, and the Irish curriculum is one of the curricula our families follow. Many are families of Indian origin who came to Ireland for work. Some want help with a school subject, most often maths or the sciences. Others want a home language such as Hindi or Malayalam that their children do not get at school. We do both, with the same one-to-one approach.
How the Irish curriculum is structured
Primary school (Junior Infants to Sixth Class). Eight years of primary education, covering literacy, numeracy, science and the wider curriculum. Many schools use standardised tests in English reading and maths at certain points.
Junior Cycle (First to Third Year). The first three years of post-primary school. Students take a set of subjects, with English, Irish and maths usually core, and others chosen by the school and student.
Transition Year (Fourth Year). An optional year in many schools, with a broader programme and work experience rather than exams.
Senior Cycle (Fifth and Sixth Year). Two years leading to the Leaving Certificate. Most students take six or seven subjects, usually including English, Irish and maths, plus subjects chosen with future courses in mind.
How assessment works
Junior Cycle. Most subjects include classroom-based assessments (CBAs) completed in school during the cycle, alongside a final exam set by the State Examinations Commission for most subjects. Results are reported on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement using descriptors such as Distinction, Merit and Achieved. English, Irish and maths are taken at higher or ordinary level.
Leaving Certificate. Subjects are taken at higher or ordinary level, and maths and Irish also have a foundation level. Some subjects include an additional component such as practical work, a project or an oral exam, alongside the written exams at the end of Sixth Year, and the senior cycle is being reformed to add more of these components. Grades convert into CAO points for college entry, with higher level grades worth more, and many colleges give bonus points for higher level maths. Since the level a student sits affects their points, the choice of level matters.
What students commonly find hard
- Primary maths: number facts, fractions and word problems in the senior classes
- The move into First Year: many new subjects and more independent work
- Junior Cycle maths: algebra and problem-solving, especially for students aiming for higher level
- Leaving Cert higher level maths: the step up in Fifth Year, with longer, linked questions
- Physics, Chemistry and Biology: precise definitions, calculations and mandatory experiments
- English: comparative study and essay writing under time pressure
How a one-to-one teacher helps
A teacher who knows the Irish curriculum understands the syllabus, the level your child is working at and the style of exam questions. In class, your child works through activities and problems in Qlive Space, Qlive’s AI-powered learning platform, and the teacher goes through their working with them on Google Meet and corrects mistakes.
Lessons follow what your child is doing in school, then bring in past exam papers and timed practice as exams get closer. Worksheets and a checkpoint every two to three weeks in Qlive Pulse show which topics are secure. Written answers are photographed and marked by the teacher or Qlive’s academic team with comments.
Your Student Success Partner is the person at Qlive on your side, focused on your goal, whether that is confidence in Junior Cycle maths or the points for a chosen course. They bring in what helps, such as extra classes before exams or a change of teacher if needed, and keep you updated in the Qlive Learn app, where every class shows in Irish time.
A note on Irish (Gaeilge)
We do not teach the Irish language. Families whose children need help with Irish usually find support locally. Children who arrived in Ireland after a certain age may be eligible for an exemption from studying Irish, and the school can advise on that.
Subjects we teach
Maths, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Computer Science, Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies, History and Geography, plus French, Spanish and German, and home languages: Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Urdu and Arabic. Our Foundation programme gives Hindi and Malayalam learners a structured path through levels.
Getting started
We have taught 100,000+ hours of live classes to families in 30+ countries. Start with the free assessment: about 40 adaptive questions, guided live by a Qlive counsellor, with a report on your child’s strengths and gaps. Fees are shared after the assessment, and you can pay in EUR.
