Irish (Junior Cert) 3079545 208953115 2008-04-29T08:16:29Z Tim Abbot 6984035 m '''[[Irish language|Irish]] (''Gaeilge'')''' is a subject of the [[Junior Certificate|Junior Cycle examination]] in [[Secondary school]]s in the [[Republic of Ireland]]. There are three levels: Higher (commonly known as ''Honors''), 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. ==Higher level== The Higher level examination has three parts, two written papers, which last 3 hour 30 minutes (210 minutes) in total and are worth 220 marks, and an aural comprehension ('''Irish''': ''Cluastuiscint'') examination, which lasts 30 minutes, with a maximum of 100 marks available. ===Questions=== '''Written Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes)''' has two sections: Written Language, and Comprehension: {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#EEEEEE" !'''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 (2 hours)''' has four sections: [[Prose]], [[Poetry]], [[Comprehension]] and Letter writing: {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#EEEEEE" !'''Question''' !'''Type''' !'''Mark''' !'''Recommended time to spend''' |- |Section 1, Question 1 |Unseen Prose |15 marks |13 minutes |- |Section 1, Question 2 |[[Novel]], [[Short story]], Etc. |15 marks |12 minutes |- |Section 2, Question 1 |Unseen Poetry |15 marks |13 minutes |- |Section 2, Question 2 |Studied Poetry |15 marks |12 minutes |- |Section 3 |3 Comprehension passages |30 marks |25 minutes |- |Section 4 |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''' {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#EEEEEE" !'''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''' {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#EEEEEE" !'''Question''' !'''Type (example)''' !'''Mark''' !'''Recommended time to spend''' |- |Question 1 |Write Postcard or Note |25 marks |10 minutes |- |Question 2 |Write a letter |40 marks |15 minutes |- |Question 3 |Short article,Diary entry (c. 15 lines) |45 marks |20 minutes |} ==Criticism== This course is frequently criticised, even by native speakers of Irish. It has been criticised for its alleged "presumptuous attitude". This is a problem in that teachers rarely teach the basic elements of the language, such as [[article (grammar)|articles]] or verb conjugations, assuming they are already known. However, as the course for primary schools is not examined this may not always be the case. 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 [[University|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 and teachers would be of higher quality. In opposition however, it is claimed that the language is a part of Irish heritage and culture, which needs to be preserved. ==External links== * [http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?maincat=&pcategory=17216&ecategory=17317&sectionpage=&subject=17677&language=EN&link=&page= Department of Education and Science - Irish Junior Cycle Syllabus] (in Irish) * [http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/examcentre_jc.asp?id=160 skoool.ie - Irish Junior Cycle Study Notes] {{JuniorCertSubjects}}