Frequently Asked Questions: Teachers

1. What is the Ireland Esports School Series?
   The Ireland Esports School Series is a structured programme of competitive gaming designed to foster teamwork, problem-solving, and digital skills among school students.
   

2. How does esports compare to traditional sports in terms of teamwork and structure?
   Like traditional sports, esports requires collaboration, strategic thinking, and clear communication. Teams practice together, develop tactics, and compete in tournaments, mirroring many aspects of physical sports leagues.
   

3. Why should I integrate esports into my classroom or extracurricular schedule?
   Esports engages students in STEM-based skills (e.g., problem-solving, data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership). It can boost student motivation, especially for those less interested in traditional sports or subjects.
   

4. What about safety and responsible gaming?
   We encourage structured practice times, supervised competitions, and guidelines on sportsmanship and screen-time management.
   

5. How much time do we need to dedicate to the esports programme?
   Typically, schools allocate a few hours per week for practice and matches, similar to any other extracurricular activity. That’s not taking into account the time students play outside of structured session!
   

6. Do we need special equipment to participate?
   A basic setup with school-approved gaming PCs or consoles is ideal. For schools lacking equipment, we can explore partnerships or grants to support technology access.
   

7. How do we incorporate esports into our existing curriculum?
   Esports aligns well with Transition Year goals, such as experiential learning and personal development. Teachers can integrate topics like game design, analytics, or media production into IT or cross-curricular projects.
   

8. What is the pathway for students after secondary school?
   The Ireland Esports School Series feeds into the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series, allowing talented players and engaged students to pursue esports at the university level. This could eventually lead to professional opportunities, including those with Nativz Esports Club.
   

9. How do we ensure esports aligns with overall student well-being?
   The programme emphasizes moderation, teamwork, and positive sportsmanship. We provide guidelines and soft-skill training (e.g., through the Skilly app) to support holistic student development.
   

10. How do we get started or sign up?
    Complete the short survey provided, indicating your school’s interest and resource needs. We’ll follow up with teacher training opportunities and details about the pilot tournament timeline.