Guide

How to get a Distinction in Junior Cycle Spanish

By Aine O Donnell - 10 minute read

Aine, with over 15 years of experience in language teaching and exam preparation, gives her tips on how to get a Distinction in Junior Cycle Spanish.

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Introduction

Most people learn a language because they want to meet new friends, travel to discover new places and cultures or maybe because it will give them more opportunities for work. Whatever your reason for choosing Spanish is, you have made a great choice. It’s a fun language to learn and as you know, there are lots of people and countries in the world that speak Spanish so hopefully you will have plenty of excuses to show off your skills.

During your Junior Cycle course, you will have the opportunity to practice your language skills by speaking, reading, listening and writing. 

This guide will explain the different types of assessments you will do during your Junior Cycle course with the main focus on the CBAs and the Assessment Task and how to do well in them.

Types of assessments

Assessment Type

 Format When*
CBA 1

Oral presentation

 End of 2nd year
CBA 2

Student language portfolio

 Halfway through 3rd year
Assessment task Stimulus piece and reflection Halfway through in 3rd year
Final exam Aural, comprehension, written End of 3rd year

*Your teacher will tell you the exact dates as each school will be slightly different.

CBA 1

Common questions

See below some common questions on CBA 1.

  • What is CBA 1?

    This is an oral/spoken presentation in Spanish. 

  • When will this happen?

    This presentation takes place at the end of 2nd year during class time, usually during the last term. You choose a topic and present it to your class/teacher. You will have time to prepare your presentation during class periods.

  • How long will it last?

    Your presentation will last around 3-4 minutes. You will do your presentation in Spanish and then your teacher will ask you a few questions in Spanish to check your understanding of your work.

  • Who do I do it with?

    You can choose to do it on your own, in a pair or in a group. 

  • What do I have to do?

    You can choose to do an interview, a role-play, a presentation with questions and answers or a conversation in response to a stimulus, e.g. a picture, an object, a movie, etc. You must present your work in Spanish. 

Grading Guidelines

You are graded individually and your teacher will give you a descriptor from the Junior Cycle Features of Quality. The Features of Quality will focus on: 

  • how well you speak, how accurate your Spanish is and the type of vocabulary you use;
  • how well you communicate/express your ideas and topic;
  • how well you respond to questions asked;
  • how well you understand language structures and patterns, i.e. how the language works (verbs, tenses, adjectives, singular/plural, masculine/feminine).

Tips

Below are some tips for before, during and after your CBA 1.

Preparation

Make sure to choose a topic carefully, something that you like and one that will allow you to show your skills to the best of your ability. Make a plan (keep it simple and clear) and write out your script, check it, correct it and rewrite it. Check you have included some or all of the following (if relevant):

  • A range of vocabulary

  • Adjectives (singular/plural, masculine/feminine)

  • Different verb tenses (past, present, future and conditional)

  • Connectives/linking words

  • Questions and time phrases

  • Typical Spanish phrases/expressions

Practice your presentation out loud as much as possible (this is essential for getting a good grade). Your fluency and pronunciation will improve the more you practice out loud. When working with others, make sure to practice together.

Time your presentation and edit/add if needed. Remember, it should be no more than 3-4 mins long. Record yourself and watch it back, then, reflect and ask yourself how you can make it better. Write your final presentation on flashcards and use bullet points.

Top tip

Pronunciation is key so check how to pronounce any tricky words. Try writing down the pronunciation of tricky words in a way that works for you, for example, Me llamo = may ya-moe.

On the day

Avoid reading from your notes and act with confidence. Try to make eye contact with your audience/partner/group and remember, Spanish people are very expressive so find your inner Spanish person and embrace it. Most importantly, relax, smile and enjoy doing the presentation.

After your presentation

Reflect on your work and be specific. Ask yourself the following:

  • How exactly did you prepare for this CBA?
  • What did you learn? Break it down.
  • What went well/didn’t go so well? Why?
  • What could you improve on? How?
  • How did you feel before, during and after?
  • What did you enjoy about doing CBA 1? Why?
  • What did you not enjoy? Why?
  • What would you do differently next time?

Making specific notes will help you with CBA 2 and the Assessment Task. Do this as soon as you finish your presentation as it will be fresh in your mind. The more detail you give here the better. If you are too vague, you might find CBA 2 challenging.

CBA 2

Common questions

See below some common questions on CBA 2.

  • What is CBA 2?

    CBA 2 is your student language portfolio. During your three years of Spanish, you will complete different types of work including written, oral recordings, listening, comprehension, reflections and projects. These finished pieces should be kept in your student language portfolio. This can be a physical folder and/or a digital folder.

  • When will it happen?

    The CBA 2 will take place between December and March of 3rd year. Your teacher will tell you the exact dates for the submission of work and reflections.

  • Who do I do it with?

    You will do this on your own using feedback and guidance from your teacher.

  • What do I have to do?

    For CBA 2, you will choose your best three pieces of work from 2nd and 3rd years from your student language portfolio. You will write a reflection on each piece of work (i.e. three reflections). You must include an oral piece of work (this cannot be linked to CBA 1), a cultural piece of work and any other piece of work.

Grading Guidelines

Your teacher will give you a descriptor according to the Junior Cycle Features of Quality. The features of quality will focus on:

  • how clearly you communicate/express your ideas and the topics;
  • how well you understand language structures and patterns, i.e. how the language works (verbs,
    tenses, adjectives, singular/plural, masculine/feminine);
  • how you use typical Spanish phrases, cultural knowledge or information about the country (if relevant).

Tips

Below are some tips on approaching CBA 2:

Tips for the CBA 2

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5

Be organised

Get organised by checking you have completed all your assignments set by your teacher throughout 2nd and 3rd year.

1

Choosing your pieces

Ensure you have one oral piece and one cultural/language piece. Then, choose your favourite/best piece for your third option. Overall, I recommend choosing your best/favourite pieces of work as this will make the reflection process easier.

2

Drafts

You can re-do your work to improve it but you must include all drafts in your submission.

3

Detailed reflections

Make sure your reflections are detailed as the more information you include the better. Think before you write.

Avoid repetition

Avoid repeating the same thing for each reflection. Each task is different so each reflection should have different challenges, opportunities and learning experiences.

Some tips and tricks

for the Junior Cycle Spanish CBA 2.

Be organised

Get organised by checking you have completed all your assignments set by your teacher throughout 2nd and 3rd year.

Choosing your pieces

Ensure you have one oral piece and one cultural/language piece. Then, choose your favourite/best piece for your third option. Overall, I recommend choosing your best/favourite pieces of work as this will make the reflection process easier.

Drafts

You can re-do your work to improve it but you must include all drafts in your submission.

Detailed reflections

Make sure your reflections are detailed as the more information you include the better. Think before you write.

Avoid repetition

Avoid repeating the same thing for each reflection. Each task is different so each reflection should have different challenges, opportunities and learning experiences.

Hope these help - you've got this!

Assessment Task

Common questions

See below some common questions on the Assessment Task.

  • What is the Assessment Task?

    This is a written task that is linked to CBA 2.

  • When will it happen?

    The Assessment Task usually takes place between the 6th of January and the 23rd of March. Your teacher will tell you the exact date(s). This task is set by the NCCA, not your teacher.

  • How long will it last?

    The Assessment Task will take place over two 40-minute classes or one 80-minute class.

Task Breakdown

Part one

This is done during class time with your teacher. Your teacher will give you a stimulus to watch/read/listen. Afterwards, you will discuss what you have seen as a whole class, in groups or in pairs.

Your teacher will then give you a booklet with questions. WRITE IN YOUR COPY, NOT IN THE BOOKLET. You will be given time to read the questions and prepare your answers using what you have discussed in class and what you have done over your Junior Cycle course, with particular reference to your student language portfolio.

You can use your reflections from your student language portfolio to help you prepare your answers. 

Part two

This is done individually in class, supervised by a teacher. Your teacher will give you a booklet with questions related to your language-learning process.

You will have 35 minutes to complete the booklet. You will use your knowledge from Part 1 and your experience from completing your student language portfolio to help you answer these questions.

This is done during class time with your teacher. Your teacher will give you a stimulus to watch/read/listen. Afterwards, you will discuss what you have seen as a whole class, in groups or in pairs.

Your teacher will then give you a booklet with questions. WRITE IN YOUR COPY, NOT IN THE BOOKLET. You will be given time to read the questions and prepare your answers using what you have discussed in class and what you have done over your Junior Cycle course, with particular reference to your student language portfolio.

You can use your reflections from your student language portfolio to help you prepare your answers. 

Grading Guidelines

Your teacher will collect your booklet and it will be sent with your final exam to the State Examinations Commission (SEC). You will be graded by the SEC and the result will be added to your final Junior Cycle grade. This task is worth 10% of your overall Spanish grade.

Tips

Below are some tips on approaching the assessment task:

Assessment Task Tips

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Before the assessment task, make sure to

  • look back over your student language portfolio;
  • read your reflections;
  • think about and write down what you have done to learn Spanish over the three years.

During the task, make sure to

  • watch the stimulus carefully and take notes;
  • be specific with your answers and give as much detail as you can.

Some tips and tricks

for the Junior Cycle Spanish Assessment Task.

Before the assessment task, make sure to

  • look back over your student language portfolio;
  • read your reflections;
  • think about and write down what you have done to learn Spanish over the three years.

During the task, make sure to

  • watch the stimulus carefully and take notes;
  • be specific with your answers and give as much detail as you can.

Hope these help - you've got this!

Final exam

Common questions

See below some common questions on the final exam.

  • What is the final exam?

    This is your last exam for the Junior Cycle course. It is a common-level exam and it has three elements: listening, comprehension and writing.

  • When will it happen?

    This takes place in June of 3rd year.

  • How long will it last?

    This is a two-hour exam.

  • Who do I do it with?

    You will do this individually in a supervised environment.

Exam Breakdown

Section A

(Listening)

 You will listen to different audio texts and answer questions in both Spanish and English, depending on the instructions given. 

Section B

(Comprehension)

 You will read a number of comprehensions and answer the questions that follow in both Spanish and English, depending on the instructions given. 

Section C

(Writing)

 You will write a number of texts in Spanish. This may include responding to a blog, a postcard, an email, an image, etc.

Grading Guidelines

Your work will be sent to the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and it will be graded by an external examiner. You will receive your grade at the start of the new academic year (usually September).

Tips

Below are some tips on approaching the final exam:

Final Exam Tips

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Keep note of vocabulary

Have a vocabulary and grammar copy where you can record vocabulary at the front and grammar at the back. Add new words or phrases to the vocabulary side and add notes on the different grammar points to the grammar side.

1

Practice

Practice makes perfect so make use of past exam papers (the format may have changed but the language is the same).

2

Apps

Use apps/websites like Duolingo and Quiz to practice your Spanish. A few minutes a day will make a big difference over time.

3

Listen to Spanish content

Listen to Spanish music (LyricsTraining is a great app for this) and watch movies and TV shows in Spanish. Watch Spanish content like interviews of your favourite musicians and sports shows in Spanish. 

Other

If you can, try to link in with a Spanish person. You could communicate through writing emails or letters. If there is one, you could also join a Spanish society or school club.

Some exam tips

for the Junior Cycle Spanish Exam.

Keep note of vocabulary

Have a vocabulary and grammar copy where you can record vocabulary at the front and grammar at the back. Add new words or phrases to the vocabulary side and add notes on the different grammar points to the grammar side.

Practice

Practice makes perfect so make use of past exam papers (the format may have changed but the language is the same).

Apps

Use apps/websites like Duolingo and Quiz to practice your Spanish. A few minutes a day will make a big difference over time.

Listen to Spanish content

Listen to Spanish music (LyricsTraining is a great app for this) and watch movies and TV shows in Spanish. Watch Spanish content like interviews of your favourite musicians and sports shows in Spanish. 

Other

If you can, try to link in with a Spanish person. You could communicate through writing emails or letters. If there is one, you could also join a Spanish society or school club.

Hope these help - happy studying!

Good luck in your exam! You will be great.

By Aine O Donnell

Now teaching at CIC Summerhill College, Sligo. Aine has over 15 years of experience in language teaching and exam preparation. She has also examined the Spanish Oral for many years. 

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