Irish Curriculum · 4th Year English

4th Year English Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 4th Year English lesson plan for Transition Year in Irish post-primary schools. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering media studies and media production, film analysis and critical viewing, creative writing and a writing portfolio, public speaking, and an independent research project, with summer consolidation and preparation for 5th Year.

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4th Year English learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
September · Media Studies I: Understanding Media

4th Year English — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(English)		Media Studies I: Understanding Media 1: Exploring How Media Shapes Public OpinionMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 1: Exploring How Media Shapes Public OpinionMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 1: Exploring How Media Shapes Public Opinion 2: Analysing News & Advertising
September 2nd week
(English)		Media Studies I: Understanding Media 2: Analysing News & AdvertisingMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 2: Analysing News & Advertising 3: Comparing Media Across PlatformsMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 3: Comparing Media Across Platforms 4: Media Bias & Representation
September 3rd week
(English)		Media Studies I: Understanding Media 3: Comparing Media Across PlatformsMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 4: Media Bias & RepresentationMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio Update
September 4th week
(English)		Media Studies I: Understanding Media 4: Media Bias & Representation 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateMedia Studies I: Understanding Media 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateMedia Studies I: Understanding Media Applied Practice Task
October · Media Studies II: Media Production Basics

4th Year English — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(English)		Media Studies II: Media Production Basics 1: Introduction to Media Production ToolsMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 1: Introduction to Media Production ToolsMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 1: Introduction to Media Production Tools 2: Planning a Media Project
October 2nd week
(English)		Media Studies II: Media Production Basics 2: Planning a Media ProjectMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 2: Planning a Media Project 3: Producing a Short Media PieceMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 3: Producing a Short Media Piece 4: Reflecting on the Media Production Process
October 3rd week
(English)		Media Studies II: Media Production Basics 3: Producing a Short Media PieceMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 4: Reflecting on the Media Production ProcessMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio Update
October 4th week
(English)		Media Studies II: Media Production Basics 4: Reflecting on the Media Production Process 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateMedia Studies II: Media Production Basics Applied Practice Task
November · Film Analysis I: Elements of Film

4th Year English — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(English)		Film Analysis I: Elements of Film 1: Understanding Film Genre & NarrativeFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 1: Understanding Film Genre & NarrativeFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 1: Understanding Film Genre & Narrative 2: Analysing Cinematography & Camera Technique
November 2nd week
(English)		Film Analysis I: Elements of Film 2: Analysing Cinematography & Camera TechniqueFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 2: Analysing Cinematography & Camera Technique 3: Analysing Sound & Music in FilmFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 3: Analysing Sound & Music in Film 4: Analysing Editing & Structure
November 3rd week
(English)		Film Analysis I: Elements of Film 3: Analysing Sound & Music in FilmFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 4: Analysing Editing & StructureFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio Update
November 4th week
(English)		Film Analysis I: Elements of Film 4: Analysing Editing & Structure 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateFilm Analysis I: Elements of Film Applied Practice Task
December · Film Analysis II: Critical Viewing

4th Year English — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(English)		Film Analysis II: Critical Viewing 1: Critically Reviewing a FilmFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 1: Critically Reviewing a FilmFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 1: Critically Reviewing a Film 2: Comparing Two Films on a Shared Theme
December 2nd week
(English)		Film Analysis II: Critical Viewing 2: Comparing Two Films on a Shared ThemeFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 2: Comparing Two Films on a Shared Theme 3: Exploring a Director's Style & VisionFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 3: Exploring a Director's Style & Vision 4: Presenting a Film Analysis
December 3rd week
(English)		Film Analysis II: Critical Viewing 3: Exploring a Director's Style & VisionFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 4: Presenting a Film AnalysisFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio Update
December 4th week
(English)		Film Analysis II: Critical Viewing 4: Presenting a Film Analysis 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing 5: Review & Consolidation 6: Skills Check & Portfolio UpdateFilm Analysis II: Critical Viewing Applied Practice Task
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Focus and activate

Open with a short extract, quotation or question that sets up the week’s 4th Year English focus.

25 minutes

Analyse and apply

Model the reading or writing skill with an example answer, then apply it to Leaving Cert-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short written response checked against the marking criteria your child will meet in exams.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 4th Year English

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 4th Year reading, writing and language topic in the order it comes up in school.

Worksheets & quizzes

Worksheets, quizzes and vocabulary reviews matched to each week of the plan.

Exam-style practice

Leaving Cert English questions with model answers and marking guidance.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on reading, writing and next steps.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for 4th Year English

Tell us your child’s year, level (Higher or Ordinary) and where they are with Leaving Cert English, and we will shape the first grind around the 4th Year English skills that matter most.

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  • A one-to-one session with a certified English tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan