Irish Curriculum · 2nd Year English

2nd Year English Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 2nd Year English lesson plan aligned to the Junior Cycle English specification in Ireland. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering debate, persuasion and structured presentations, writer’s purpose, stylistic devices and comparing texts, PEEL paragraphs, language analysis and tone, and argumentative, descriptive and analytical writing, with summer consolidation and preparation for 3rd Year.

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2nd 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 · Oral Language: Debate & Persuasion

2nd Year English — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(English)		Oral Language: Debate & Persuasion 1: Structuring a Debate ArgumentOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 1: Structuring a Debate ArgumentOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 1: Structuring a Debate Argument 2: Using Persuasive Techniques in Speech
September 2nd week
(English)		Oral Language: Debate & Persuasion 2: Using Persuasive Techniques in SpeechOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 2: Using Persuasive Techniques in Speech 3: Rebuttal & Counter-ArgumentOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 3: Rebuttal & Counter-Argument 4: Debate Practice & Performance
September 3rd week
(English)		Oral Language: Debate & Persuasion 3: Rebuttal & Counter-ArgumentOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 4: Debate Practice & PerformanceOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
September 4th week
(English)		Oral Language: Debate & Persuasion 4: Debate Practice & Performance 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizOral Language: Debate & Persuasion 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizOral Language: Debate & Persuasion Applied Practice Task
October · Oral Language: Structured Presentations

2nd Year English — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(English)		Oral Language: Structured Presentations 1: Planning a Structured PresentationOral Language: Structured Presentations 1: Planning a Structured PresentationOral Language: Structured Presentations 1: Planning a Structured Presentation 2: Delivering a Presentation Clearly
October 2nd week
(English)		Oral Language: Structured Presentations 2: Delivering a Presentation ClearlyOral Language: Structured Presentations 2: Delivering a Presentation Clearly 3: Using Notes & Visual Aids EffectivelyOral Language: Structured Presentations 3: Using Notes & Visual Aids Effectively 4: Responding to Questions After a Presentation
October 3rd week
(English)		Oral Language: Structured Presentations 3: Using Notes & Visual Aids EffectivelyOral Language: Structured Presentations 4: Responding to Questions After a PresentationOral Language: Structured Presentations 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
October 4th week
(English)		Oral Language: Structured Presentations 4: Responding to Questions After a Presentation 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizOral Language: Structured Presentations 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizOral Language: Structured Presentations Applied Practice Task
November · Reading: Analysing Writer's Purpose

2nd Year English — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(English)		Reading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 1: Identifying Writer's PurposeReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 1: Identifying Writer's PurposeReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 1: Identifying Writer's Purpose 2: Analysing How Purpose Shapes a Text
November 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 2: Analysing How Purpose Shapes a TextReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 2: Analysing How Purpose Shapes a Text 3: Recognising Audience & Purpose TogetherReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 3: Recognising Audience & Purpose Together 4: Evaluating How Effectively Purpose Is Achieved
November 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 3: Recognising Audience & Purpose TogetherReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 4: Evaluating How Effectively Purpose Is AchievedReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
November 4th week
(English)		Reading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 4: Evaluating How Effectively Purpose Is Achieved 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Analysing Writer's Purpose Applied Practice Task
December · Reading: Stylistic Devices

2nd Year English — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(English)		Reading: Stylistic Devices 1: Identifying Stylistic Devices in TextsReading: Stylistic Devices 1: Identifying Stylistic Devices in TextsReading: Stylistic Devices 1: Identifying Stylistic Devices in Texts 2: Exploring Imagery & Figurative Language
December 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Stylistic Devices 2: Exploring Imagery & Figurative LanguageReading: Stylistic Devices 2: Exploring Imagery & Figurative Language 3: Exploring Sentence Structure for EffectReading: Stylistic Devices 3: Exploring Sentence Structure for Effect 4: Analysing the Effect of Stylistic Choices
December 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Stylistic Devices 3: Exploring Sentence Structure for EffectReading: Stylistic Devices 4: Analysing the Effect of Stylistic ChoicesReading: Stylistic Devices 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
December 4th week
(English)		Reading: Stylistic Devices 4: Analysing the Effect of Stylistic Choices 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Stylistic Devices 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Stylistic Devices 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 2nd Year English focus.

25 minutes

Analyse and apply

Model the reading or writing skill with an example answer, then apply it to Junior Cycle-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 2nd Year English

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 2nd 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

Junior Cycle 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 2nd Year English

Tell us your child’s year, level (Higher or Ordinary) and where they are with Junior Cycle English, and we will shape the first grind around the 2nd 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