Information About Seosamh - Cork tutor -

(6 reviews)

Personal Description:

Experienced Irish & History Teacher | Exam-Focused Tuition for Junior and Leaving Cert Success

I am a fully qualified post-primary school teacher with over ten years of experience teaching Higher Level Irish and History at both Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle level. My academic background includes a First Class Honours M.Ed in Educational Research, PME, and an Honours BA in Irish and History. I have also completed advanced studies in Education Law at King’s Inns, Dublin, further enhancing my understanding of educational standards and student rights.

I specialise in helping students excel in state exams by breaking down complex content into clear, manageable steps, and developing strong exam techniques. My approach is rooted in rigorous planning, evidence-based methods, and a supportive learning environment that builds confidence and independence.

Above all, I am deeply committed to work ethic and results—values I strive to instil in every student I work with. With tailored guidance and strategic preparation, I am confident that each student can achieve their personal best and reach their full academic potential.

Tutoring Experience:

Irish & History Specialist | Secondary and Third-Level Teaching | National CPD Facilitator

I am an experienced and dedicated teacher of Irish and History, with several years of experience working with students from First Year through to Leaving Certificate Higher Level. Over the past decade, I have specialised in preparing students for Higher Level Leaving Certificate Irish and History, with a focus on exam excellence, language mastery, and deep historical understanding.

Beyond the secondary classroom, I have also worked extensively in third-level education, tutoring and lecturing undergraduate and PME students studying BA Gaeilge, B.Ed Gaeilge, B.Ed Physical Education, and PME Irish. I have supported the development of academic Irish across all levels and spent time in the Gaeltacht engaging with future teachers, school leaders, and aspiring principals, enriching their language skills and pedagogical approaches.

Since 2016, I have delivered lectures and workshops in several Irish universities on the teaching, learning, and development of Irish as a subject. Currently, I am a member of the Oide national CPD team, providing professional development to post-primary Irish teachers across the country, with a strong emphasis on best practice, curriculum development, and student engagement.

My work is grounded in a deep love for the Irish language, a passion for teaching, and a commitment to helping both students and educators achieve success.

Approach to Grinds:

Targeted Support for Oral Proficiency and Exam Excellence in Irish & History

In my approach to tuition, I place particular emphasis on the Irish oral exam, which accounts for 40% of the overall Leaving Certificate grade. This component often determines the difference between grade boundaries, and as such, I dedicate a significant portion of grinds exclusively to developing spoken fluency, accuracy, and confidence. These sessions are tailored to each student's proficiency level, and are focused on practical speaking strategies, thematic vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation, and structured response techniques. My goal is to ensure that by Easter of the exam year, each student is fully prepared to approach the oral exam with clarity, poise, and cultural awareness.

In both Irish and History, essay writing is a cornerstone of success. My approach supports students in developing analytical writing skills, mastering structure and timing, and cultivating subject-specific language. I use modelling, scaffolding, and incremental feedback to enable students to write with clarity and depth. We also explore how to respond to unseen exam questions confidently—ensuring they are prepared for the unpredictability of state exam papers.

All students receive high-quality, exam-focused resources, including comprehensive notes on essays, poetry, prose, short stories, and historical topics. These materials are designed to reinforce classwork and build a strong foundation for independent study.

Informed by both my teaching experience and educational research, my grinds are interactive, student-led, and responsive to diverse learning needs. I focus not only on content mastery but also on developing the learner’s metacognition, confidence, and exam resilience—so they perform at their best, not just in the exam hall, but in their overall educational journey.