RTÉ are introducing new educational programmes aimed at those sitting their Junior- and Leaving Certs

Nobody quite knows that the exams will look like this year – or in what format they will go ahead.

However, in an attempt to help students in Ireland sitting their Junior and Leaving Cert in 2021, RTÉ have announced they are introducing some new educational programmes over the coming weeks and months. ‘Shakespeare on Sunday’ is a new strand for RTÉ2, and it's starting tomorrow, RTÉ2 broadcast Shakespeare productions for Leaving and Junior Cycle students during Sundays in January and February. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016 production with John Hannah and Matt Lucas), which is on the Junior Cycle for 2021 and 2022, will air tomorrow at 2:10pm.

Other films in the weeks and months ahead on RTÉ2 include:

• Sunday Jan 24, 1:25pm: King Lear (Leaving Cert 2021 - 1982 version with Brenda Blethyn, Michael Hordern)

• Sunday Jan 31, 1:55pm Julius Caesar (Junior Cert 2021 and 2022 - 1979 version with Charles Grey)

• Sunday Feb 14, approx. 2pm Romeo and Juliet (Junior Cert 2021 and 2022 - 1978 version with Alan Rickman, Anthony Andrews and Rebecca Saire)

• Sunday Feb 21, approx. 2pm Much Ado About Nothing (Junior Cert 2021 and 2022 – 1984 film with Charie Lunghi and Jon Finch)

• Sunday Feb 28, approx. 2pm: The Tempest (Leaving Cert 2021 - 1978 film with Andrew Sachs)

• Sunday March 13, evening time TBA, Othello (1995, starring Laurence Fishbourne)

Other educational TV- and radio shows coming up

RTÉ is also making available a range of online teaching modules and worksheets for the Junior Cycle syllabus, all of which have been devised and produced in alongside Junior Cycle Teachers. The subjects covered, as part of an on-going BAI/JCT/RTÉ initiative are: History, Religious Education, Gaeilge, English, Geography, Business Studies, CSPE, SPHE and Digital Media. For more information, check out RTÉ.ie

To support students prepping for the oral exam in Irish, StaidAir with Blåthnaid Treacy is a new bilingual 2FM programme where students will get tips from Irish language experts on phrases and vocabulary. The show will also get its own podcast series, RTÉ has announced, in which the hosts will delve into tips and tricks for preparing for the upcoming exam. Starting Tuesday, January 19 from 8pm, StaidAir with Blåthnaid Treacy will run Monday to Thursday for four weeks.

C 21 with Carl Mullan, which will run Monday to Thursday from 7pm to 8pm for three weeks, will aim to reate a community for students and will deal with study planning, with advice on looking after themselves over the next few months, and how to focus on what they can control. Full of brilliant contributors, experiments, craic, and great music, the show will also be available wherever you listen to your podcasts or On-Demand audio. On RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime, each Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.30pm, Evelyn O’Rourke will present the Drivetime Study Hub, an interactive half-hour of advice and support for second-level students, especially those preparing for the State Examinations.  Along with advice on planning, study tips and online resources, Study Hub will feature some of the country’s best teachers, taking students step-by-step through the key Leaving Certificate subjects and exam papers.  Study Hub will also reflect the opinions and concerns of students, and Evelyn will be keeping a sharp eye out for all the latest news and developments, as the class of 2021 face into another disrupted exam season. On RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta there will be a regular slot on Tús Áite each week when Fachtna Ó Drisceoil will speak to various guests about the challenges they are facing at the moment and how they are dealing with home schooling.  Parents and young people at home will get tips and advice that they can use and they will have the opportunity to get in touch with the programme and share their experiences and ask questions they may have.  Other programmes across the service will also provide more information to help support young people and parents during these tough times. Earlier this week, the all-new DreamSpace TV for secondary schools started on RTÉ.ie/learn. With six episodes, aimed at students aged 12-18, it brings students on a STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Maths) learning journey with a focus on computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving leading students towards entry into the micro:bit educational foundation’s global challenge, and hopefully winning the title for Ireland! Many other DreamSpace coding challenges for primary students are also available at RTÉ.ie/learn.

For more information make sure to check out rte.ie/learn.