* Comprehensive treatment of the issues facing pre-service teachers, along with guidance for those in the early years of a teaching career

* Provides practical guidance on many areas: classroom management; planning for lessons; time management; evaluating learning; motivating pupils; dealing with conflict; and managing stress

* Assesses teaching methodology in light of changes in Irish educational policy in recent years: the Teaching Council, Whole School Evaluation, National Pilot Project on Teacher Induction

* Michael Shevlin, Head of School of Education at TCD, contributes a chapter on Special Educational Needs and the issues facing teachers and pupils in Ireland today

* Encourages reflective teaching and lifelong learning to promote continuous professional development

* Written in an accessible style and provides end of chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading

* The authors draw on their twenty years' teaching experience along with academic learning and thorough research