Irish (Junior Cert)

Irish ("Gaeilge") is a subject of the Junior Cycle examination in Secondary schools 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).

yllabus

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:

Section Two: Written Language

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 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 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]