Irish (Junior Cert)
Irish (Gaeilge) is a subject of the Junior Cycle examination in Secondary schools in Ireland. There are three levels: Higher (commonly known as Honours), Ordinary (commonly known as Pass) and Foundation (rarely taken, usually for very weak students).
Syllabus
The Irish syllabus at the Junior Cycle level is aimed at developing the student's skills in listening to, speaking and writing in Irish. The examination tests the students on aural, written, and literature skills. There is an optional oral at Junior Cert Level. Not choosing this may causes problems with pronunciation and speaking Irish in leaving certificate students.
Higher level
The Higher level examination has three parts, two written papers, which last 3 hours (180 minutes) in total and are worth 210 marks, and an aural comprehension (Irish: Cluastuiscint) examination, which lasts 30 minutes, with a maximum of 40 marks available.
Questions
Written Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes) has two sections: Written Language, and Comprehension:
| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1, Question 1 | Essay, Story or Debate | 50 marks | 35 minutes |
| Section 1, Question 2 | Conversation or Interview | 20 marks | 20 minutes |
| Section 2, Question 1 | Extracts | 30 marks | 25 minutes |
Written Paper 2 ( 1 hour 30 mins ) has four sections: Prose, Poetry and Letter writing:
| Question | Type | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1, Question 1 | Unseen Prose | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Section 1, Question 2 | Novel, Short story, Etc. | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Section 2, Question 1 | Unseen Poetry | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Section 2, Question 2 | Studied Poetry | 15 marks | 15 minutes |
| Section 3 | Letter Writing | 30 marks | 25 minutes |
Ordinary level
The Ordinary level examination has two parts, a written examination, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes) and is worth 220 marks, and an aural comprehension (Irish: Cluastuiscint) examination, which lasts 30 minutes, with a maximum of 100 marks available.
Questions
This paper has two sections, Section 1 (Roinn 1), which is the comprehension (Léamhthuiscint) section, and Section 2, the written language (Scríobh na Teanga) section. Each carries 110 marks.
Section One: Comprehension
| Question | Type (example) | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Pictures and Signs | 20 marks | 5 minutes |
| Question 2 | Notices/Poem(Answer 2 of 3) | 30 marks | 10 minutes |
| Question 3 | Extracts (two parts) | 60 marks | 20 minutes |
Section Two: Written Language
| Question | Type (example) | Mark | Recommended time to spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Write Postcard or Note | 25 marks | 10 minutes |
| Question 2 | Write a letter | 30 marks | 15 minutes |
| Question 3 | Short article,Diary entry (c. 15 lines) | 45 marks | 20 minutes |
Criticism
This course is frequently criticised. The most common argument is the entire way in which it is taught, with a large number of people (including teachers) believing the course should be much closer to that of the French and German course.
Irish is also under debate as to whether it should remain mandatory in the Irish curriculum. Currently, most colleges in Ireland will only accept students with a pass grade in the Irish Leaving Certificate. Arguments for this motion contend that forcing the language on students fosters dislike, producing a generation of Irish people who dislike their culture. Making it optional, the argument goes, would mean students would enjoy the language more. In opposition however, it is claimed that the language is a part of Irish heritage and culture, which needs to be preserved.