Irish T2 - Higher
Understanding questions is important here. Most of the exam is unseen so practice is key!
It is impossible to give a definite break down of marks per section as we have only had one exam paper and the marks differed from the previously published sample paper.
Junior Cycle Irish T2 has only one paper at both Higher and Ordinary Level.
There is no Foundation level Irish at Junior Cycle.
What's on the Junior Cycle Irish (Gaeilge) course?
- Roinn A 30 marc Éisteacht 4 cheist
- Roinn B 240 marc Léamh, Ceapadóireacht agus Litríocht 7 gceist
*The exact number of marks awarded for Roinn A & Roinn B may vary from year to year.
What's the Junior Cycle Irish exam like?
At higher level (ardleibhéal) there are two sections
Roinn A - Cluastuiscint (Listening comprehension - 30 marks)
- This takes approxiametly 15 minutes to complete at the start of the exam
Roinn B- Léamh, Ceapadóireacht agus Litríocht- 240 marks
- This section examines the students ability to understand written questions and respond appropriately.
- Students have all remaining time following the Aural to complete Roinn B (Exam length is two hours total)
Students must have a good understanding of the various studied texts
During 2nd and 3rd year, students must study the following:
• two short stories • one play (complete) • five poems/songs • one novel (complete)
It is critical that students do not mix up the texts. Students commonly answer exam questions based on the incorrect text.
Example: Déan cur síos ar ghearrscéal ina bhfuil carachtar spórtúil ann
Describe a shortshory that has a sporty charachter
In the above example, if a student described a poem/song/novel or play with a sporty charachter then that student would get zero marks for that entire question.
Roinn B also includes many opportunites for creative writing. In such questions students must descibe a topic, often using a given image or a series of bullet points as inspiration. In these scenarios, students must also be able to write in a range of ways such as email, letter, blog, magazine article, tweet. In order to best prepare for these important questions, students should build a wide range of vocabulary on topical issues. Some examples include Sports, Music, School, Technology, Climate, Wellbeing, Travel. *This list is not exhaustive*
Ordinary level Irish has one paper with the following sections.
Roinn A - Cluastuiscint (Listening comprehension - 45 marks)
Roinn B - Léamh agus Ceapadóireacht (Reading and Writing comprehension - 225 marks)
Roinn A - Cluastuiscint (Listening comprehension - 30 marks)
- This takes approxiametly 15 minutes to complete at the start of the exam
- The same Audio file is used for Higher and Ordinary level. The questions are slightly easier on the Ordinary level paper.
Roinn B - Léamh, Ceapadóireacht agus Litríocht- 240 marks
- This section examines the students ability to understand written questions and respond appropriately.
- Students have all remaining time following the Aural to complete Roinn B (Exam length is two hours total)
- There are no questions on any studied text on the Ordinary Level exam.
Roinn B also includes many opportunites for creative writing. In such questions students must descibe a topic, often using a given image or a series of bullet points as inspiration. In these scenarios, students must also be able to write in a range of ways such as email, letter, blog, magazine article, text. In order to best prepare for these important questions, students should build a wide range of vocabulary on topical issues. Some examples include Sports, Music, School, Technology, Climate, Wellbeing, Travel. *This list is not exhaustive*
You may also be required to do two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) throughout Junior Cycle Irish (Both in 3rd year)
CBA 1 is a Language Portfolio that requires students to submit three portfolio items as evidence of their language learning, one of which must be a sound/video piece.
CBA 2 is a Communicative Task, that requires students to choose a topic that interests them and create a presentation, role play, interview, drama or conversation that can showcase their communicative skills.
Students complete an Assessment Task following CBA 2. This document is corrected by the SEC. You will be given a set time to complete this task in school. Students are asked in the Assessment Task to document the learning they experienced in the CBA, reflect on the learning and comment on any changes they would do in the future. This is answered through Irish. Assessment Tasks are not required for students in 3rd year during the 2022-2023 academic year. The SEC will notify schools of the requirement for Assessment Tasks at the beginning of the next academic year.
Any tips for doing well in Junior Certificate Irish?
Like all languages it is really important that you work on building your vocabulary as this will help you in the reading comprehension, listening and written part of the paper. Make a note of any new words or phrases as you come across them and know the meaning of the main words used in question such as cad, conas, and tabhair sampla.
Don't forget to prepare for your aural exam by practicing the listening comprehension questions as you listen to the streamed audio clips on Studyclix.
Writing out a list of the most common verbs with their English meaning will also come in very handy for all sections of the paper. A good way to prepare for the exam is to listen regularly to Radió na Gaeltachta or watch the news on TG4.
