Educate.ie’s The Merchant of Venice offer teachers a range of opportunities to engage with and assess students. Students are supported in their study with careful annotations and explanations. This consistent, step-by-step approach ensures real understanding and embeds knowledge so students are not only prepared for their Junior Cycle exam, but confident to study Shakespeare at Leaving Certificate.

• All scenes are introduced with clear learning intentions, a summary of the action and a bank of useful words.
• Numbered annotations explain unfamiliar words and phrases in simple, modern English.
• Plot Point boxes provide an overview of what is happening in scenes.
• Looking at Language feature promotes literacy and understanding of devices and techniques.
• Spotlight boxes help students to understand the features of drama and identify meaning, allowing them to answer exam questions on stagecraft and more.
• End-of-scene overviews offer a simple summary of key themes and events and highlight important quotes
• Shakespeare’s World boxes offer context by explaining relevant beliefs, traditions and customs of Shakespeare’s time.
• End-of-scene Reviewing, Exploring, Creating, Oral Language and Reflecting tasks quickly and simply assess knowledge and understanding as students move through the play, offer active learning and provide integrated opportunities for pair and group work.
• Examining the Play section provides for comprehensive understanding of plot, character development and key themes and gives clear guidance on approaching drama questions.
• End-of-act Linking to the Exam feature highlights relevant SEC past exam questions and extensively supports students to approach and answer them. All exam questions up to 2025 are now covered!