Chess for Social Skills

Chess for Social Skills is like no other summer course as it is extremely hands-on and teacher-centred. Chess is a growing pastime in Irish primary schools with over 200 schools now joined the Ficheall.ie network of teachers promoting chess in primary schools. It is an excellent hobby for students (and teachers) for rainy days and promotes a variety of social and cognitive skills such as respect, forward planning, problem solving, decision making, accepting defeat, understanding resilience and developing a growth mind-set when exploring a new skill; all of which are explicitly addressed in the free beginner lessons available to participants.

Some testimonials from the 172 teachers who completed the course in 2021:

·       “As a total beginner to chess, I found this course so worthwhile, after a week I have the knowledge and confidence to start chess classes with my class. I actually can't wait to get it up and running, I'm addicted!”

·       “The first summer course I've done that I was excited to start each day!”

·       “Learn social skills while having fun through the game of chess!”

·       “A course that when completed you can actually say you have learned an entire new skill! Amazing!”

·       “By far the most engaging, practical and enjoyable CPD course I have ever done! I would recommend all teachers do this course.”

·       “This is a fun course!”

·       “Brilliant: learning, play and a social place. Ideal way to spend the first week of July!”

·       “Teach your students good sportsmanship without PE!”

Feel free to email info@ficheall.ie to ask any questions of the course.

Facilitator: Anthony Fitzgerald

Anthony taught in Tallaght for 14 years before moving on to principalships in Drimnagh and Portmarnock. He currently serves as the Principal of Le Chéile National School in Limerick.

Anthony has worked for Hibernia College as a thesis supervisor and a SEN tutor.

He has trained school chess teams for over 20 years and has previously co-hosted a Ficheall chess event in Limerick.

Important:

Before you finalise payment for your course, please note the following: 

All our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable. Course Fees are not transferrable to another teacher. Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or you are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

In the event that the minimum number of participants required do not apply then the Centre will be obliged to cancel the course and all monies will be refunded in full.