Tricky higher-level questions ‘not contemporary enough’
June 13, 2012
Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 – Higher and Ordinary Levels
There were some new and tricky elements in the higher-level second Irish paper yesterday, according to Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland subject representative Robbie Cronin.
With the much-maligned Stair na Gaeilge consigned to ancient history, the new-look Irish paper 2 held few surprises, and was deemed fair, although it was not without its problems.
Comprehension, which used to be a part of paper 1, has been moved to paper 2. The pieces chosen divided opinion among teachers – some found them interesting while others felt the texts needed an update.
The first comprehension piece was about an Irish American Olympian named Jim Thorpe who won two gold medals i n the 1923 Olympics.
“I just think that students could be given something a bit more contemporary,” said Teachers’ Union of Ireland representative Ruth Morrissey-Casey, a teacher in St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil, Co Clare.
“When you look at the kind of subject matter in the ordinarylevel paper, it’s a lot more youthful and interesting than the historyladen pieces that the higher-level students have to deal with.”
Overall, the questions based on the piece were “fair”, Mr Cronin said.
The final question on the piece was a new addition to the exam, and the latter part of it was too taxing, according to teachers.
“For a maximum of 10 marks, students had to say what the text reveals about the mindset of both the American people and the mindset of the IOC [International Olympic Council],” Mr Cronin said.
“It was a very challenging question given the time constraints,” Ms Morrissey-Casey agreed.
Ordinary-level students had a good start with two “very interesting” comprehension passages. One was about sports presenter Evanne Ní Chuillin and the other was about tennis player Daithí Ó hEithir. “They were just very relevant to young people,” Ms Morrissey-Casey said. “They were relevant and accessible.”
The questions and language used were straightforward, said Clare Grealy, Irish teacher in the Institute of Education.
The prose questions, on Hurlamboc, were a departure from previous years.
www.irishtimes.com
Sports themes feature strongly in Irish exams
June 13, 2012
For Leaving Certificate students of Irish, sports themes featured strongly at both levels on their Paper 2 exams.
Robbie Cronin, subject spokesperson for ASTI, said the higher level exam opened with an interesting article about Jim Thorpe, an Irish-American double-gold winner at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm.
Although most questions were fair, he thought an opinion question about the mindsets of the American people and the International Olympic Council was too demanding.
He identified difficult vocabulary in a second piece, an excerpt from journalist Alex Hijmans’ novel Favela, such as words for “natives” and “guardian angels”. He thought the final question was unfairly difficult.
Mr Cronin said the comprehension passages for ordinary level Irish about sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn and tennis player Dáithí Ó hEithir were interesting and the related questions were fair.
For Biology students, the ordinary level Leaving Certificate exam was considered quite fair by TUI subject spokeswoman Margaret O’Neill. She thought the language was a bit more technical than might be expected at this level.
ASTI’s Biology spokes-woman Ciara O’Shea said most higher level students would have been pleased. She thought part of an ecology question about introducing an exotic species to a new environment was quite challenging, as was the interpretation of a graph in relation to photosynthesis, but a full question on the nervous system was welcome.
Business studies was examined in the morning for Junior Certificate students, with those choosing higher level facing a second paper in the afternoon.
TUI Business Studies representative Ivan O’Callaghan said both morning exams were challenging enough.
ASTI subject spokesperson Pat Morris said yesterday afternoon’s exam was probably no trouble for higher level candidates with their work well done, saying it included an interesting question on credit sales and bad debts.
www.irishexaminer.com
Did you miss Scléip on Raidió na Gaeltachta? Listen back to the programme online!
June 13, 2012
Scléip is the national talent competition catering specifically for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht post-primary schools. The competition began in 2005 and it has grown steadily since then. The aim of the competition is to encourage pupils attending Irish medium secondary schools to use their Irish through the various performing arts by giving them the opportunity to take part in a innovative and exciting event.
Raidió na Gaeltachta recorded the regional heats and final of Scléip 2012 and we are delighted to announce the broadcast dates of the 5 programmes:
- Leinster Heat: 9th June 9.00 am
- Munster Heat: 16th June 9.00 am
- Ulster Heat: 23rd June 9.00 am
- Connaught Heat: 30th June 9.00 am
- Final: 7th July 9.00 am
Congratulations again to the winners and their schools and many thanks to Fiachna Ó Braonáin and his team at Raven Productions who recorded the competition this year on behalf of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Coláiste Lurgan – Muid lán le bród na hÉireann
June 13, 2012
The rise of An Ghaelscoil
June 13, 2012
An Foras Pátrúnachta and Gaelscoileanna Teo., will hold 2 public meetings at the end of the month to discuss 2 new gaelscoils that will open in Dublin in 2013.
The meetings will take place in Stepaside, Dublin 18, and Tallaght, Dublin 24, and will provide information regarding the new schools to both local communities.
Both schools are due to open in September 2013 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
The schools are part of a scheme announced by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn in March 2012, which will see 16 primary schools open in the year 2012-2013 nationwide, 4 of which will be gaelscoileanna.
As well as gaelscoileanna in Stepaside and Tallaght, a new gaelscoil will also open in Knockacarra, Galway, in September 2013 and Gaelscoil Chuilinn in Mulhuddart, County Dublin is due to open in September of this year.
The 2011 Census showed that the number of Irish speakers in Ireland has risen by 7.1%, an obvious factor in the rising demand for local gaelscoileanna.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest single patron for Irish-medium schools, said, “the new Gaelscoileanna will greatly add to these areas and will satisfy the huge demand there for Irish-medium education.”
The public meetings will take place at the end of June and people from the local communities, parents and volunteers are all invited to take part. Representatives from both organisations, An Foras Pátrúnachta and Gaelscoileanna Teo., will be on hand to answer any questions and provide information on the benefits of sending your child to a gaelscoil. Parents will also be given the opportunity to pre-register their child for enrolment in the new gaelscoileanna.
The first meeting will take place in Stepaside on Tuesday, 26th June 2012, in Bewley’s Hotel,
Central Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 at 8.00pm.
The meeting to discuss the new gaelscoil for the Firhouse/Oldbawn area will take place on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, in the Malsron Hotel, Whitestown Way (N81), Tallaght, Dublin 24 at 8.00pm.
Both meetings are open to the public.
For more information contact: Caitríona Bairéad, 01-6294110, caitriona@foras.ie; or Clare Spáinneach 01- 853 5193, cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie.
Widely divergent views on fairness of questions
June 13, 2012
Exams Daily – Leaving Cert Irish: It was a rocky start for some, a breeze for others.
The views of teachers of Leaving Cert Irish at both levels were mixed. Some thought the ordinary-level paper the more difficult. Others disagreed.
The higher-level paper was “not a good start”, according to Clare Grealy of the Institute of Education. The essay titles were, she said, “uninteresting, unimaginative and, in a several cases, unreasonable”.
However, Robbie Cronin of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland described the paper as “f air”. An essay title, “The dilemma in the health service – My solution”, split opinion.
“This type of essay required knowledge of the health service,” Ms Grealy said. “Even through English this essay would challenge students to have an insight into something that they probably have not encountered directly.”
Mr Cronin did not take issue with the health service topic. “The essays offered variety, although there was no sign of the much expected essay on the Olympics or the importance of sport,” he said.
“If students were adequately prepared and took their time with it they would have been fine,” said Teachers Union of Ireland representative Ruth Morrissey.
While there was one question on a sporting topic, it required students to imagine interviewing the president of the GAA.
“That might have thrown some students. A lot of people would have found that very challenging,” Ms Morrissey said.
One essay title, “The worthiness of this school”, raised eyebrows. “Would students be inclined to name their school?” Ms Morrissey asked. “It may somewhat undermine the premise of candidate anonymity,” Ms Grealy agreed.
“The ordinary-level students felt harder done by than those at higher level,” said Mr Cronin. However, he pointed out that the paper was topical and fair in the most part.
Ms Morrissey described the paper as “very accessible”.
“There was a wide choice of titles and the language used was such that the students were well able to interpret it,” she said,
The exam consisted of an aural exam followed by a written composition section. This was the first year for this type of paper, with the aural exam and the essay titles on the one paper.
“The aural component of the exam seemed to be okay,” said Ms Grealy. “However, students would have been distracted as they would have had an opportunity to review the essay titles before the aural commenced.”
www.irishtimes.com
Teacher views on both levels mixed
June 13, 2012
Exams Daily – Leaving Cert Irish: It was a rocky start for some, a breeze for others.
The views of teachers of Leaving Cert Irish at both levels were mixed. Some thought the ordinary-level paper the more difficult. Others disagreed.
The higher-level paper was “not a good start”, according to Clare Grealy of the Institute of Education. The essay titles were, she said, “uninteresting, unimaginative and, in a several cases, unreasonable”.
However, Robbie Cronin of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland described the paper as “f air”. An essay title, “The dilemma in the health service – My solution”, split opinion.
“This type of essay required knowledge of the health service,” Ms Grealy said. “Even through English this essay would challenge students to have an insight into something that they probably have not encountered directly.”
Mr Cronin did not take issue with the health service topic. “The essays offered variety, although there was no sign of the much expected essay on the Olympics or the importance of sport,” he said.
“If students were adequately prepared and took their time with it they would have been fine,” said Teachers Union of Ireland representative Ruth Morrissey.
While there was one question on a sporting topic, it required students to imagine interviewing the president of the GAA.
“That might have thrown some students. A lot of people would have found that very challenging,” Ms Morrissey said.
One essay title, “The worthiness of this school”, raised eyebrows. “Would students be inclined to name their school?” Ms Morrissey asked. “It may somewhat undermine the premise of candidate anonymity,” Ms Grealy agreed.
“The ordinary-level students felt harder done by than those at higher level,” said Mr Cronin. However, he pointed out that the paper was topical and fair in the most part.
Ms Morrissey described the paper as “very accessible”.
“There was a wide choice of titles and the language used was such that the students were well able to interpret it,” she said,
The exam consisted of an aural exam followed by a written composition section. This was the first year for this type of paper, with the aural exam and the essay titles on the one paper.
“The aural component of the exam seemed to be okay,” said Ms Grealy. “However, students would have been distracted as they would have had an opportunity to review the essay titles before the aural commenced.”
www.irishtimes.com
Principal appointed to Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, new school to open in September 2012
June 11, 2012
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to congratulate the newly-appointed principal of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, Fergus Ó Conghaile. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn is a new, coeducational Irish-medium school under the patronage of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA which will open for the first time in September 2012 on the Powerstown Road in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.
With plenty of experience of the Irish-medium education system and previous posts held in developing schools, Fergus is very keen to take up his new role. “I’m honoured to take the lead role in the development of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn” he said. “The goal will be to provide an excellent standard of education through the medium of Irish, as well as a sense of Irish cultural heritage and mutual understanding in a temperate environment. I saw this in practice when I taught in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and Gaelscoil na Camóige, two schools which provide an excellent standard of education. Our aim in Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will be to encourage the children, to bring out the best in every child and to help them to pursue goodness in all aspects of their lives.”
The school will open with junior and senior infant classes and will have an inter-denominational religious ethos. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA, wishes Fergus every success in his new role. “This is a great opportunity for him and for his staff to establish a valuable educational, cultural and Irish-language resource for the area” said Mr. Ó hEaghra. “Irish-medium schools are catalysts for all kinds of development in their local communities. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA has every confidence in Fergus. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will flourish under his direction and AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA will be there to support it in every way, helping it to become an excellent school.”
“On behalf of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. and all of the Irish-medium schools in the country, I would like to congratulate Fergus on his appointment and congratulate all those involved with Gaelscoil an Chuilinn on the tremendous progress they have made and all that they have achieved” said Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. “We’re looking forward to supporting the school over the coming year and in all the years to come, as it goes from strength to strength.”
The opening of this new Irish-medium school provides a great opportunity for the children enrolling in September, and for generations of children to come who will enjoy the benefits of an Irish-medium education. The whole school community is looking forward to working with Fergus, and parents who have registered their children with the school will have an opportunity to meet with him soon. To register your child’s name or for further information on Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, contact the school on 086 323 6187 or email gaelscoilanchuilinn@gmail.com.
ENDS
Further information:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA
Caitríona Bairéad, Development Officer :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110 :: www.foras.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Clare Spáinneach, Development Officer :: cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie :: 01- 853 5193 :: www.gaelscoileanna.ie
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is the largest patron of Irish medium schools is Ireland at both primary and secondary level. There are 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools are under its patronage..AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is a patron of Irish-medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Multidenominational and Interdenominational (Catholic / Protestant) ethos. The vision of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage www.foras.ie.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. The organisation was founded in 1973 as a national volunteer organisation to support the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides motivation, assistance and practical support to parents and local communities who wish to found new schools and it operates according to demand. There are 175 Irish-medium primary schools and 41 Irish-medium post-primary schools outside Gaeltacht areas at present.
Smiles all round as Irish higher-level is plain sailing
June 8, 2012
Students at the all-Irish Coláiste Daibhéid in Cork City were pleased with the first Junior Certificate Irish papers.
All 40 of the city centre school’s Junior Certificate candidates took yesterday’s higher-level exam, said deputy principal Richel Ní Longaigh.
Bronagh Ní Tornáil from Blarney said Paper 1 in the morning was “grand”, and thought the listening test at the beginning was particularly easy.
“I was nervous going in but it was grand afterwards, once you get in there everything is fine,” said Bronagh.
Her classmate, Aoife Nic Ruairí from Douglas, was also pleased with the morning’s higher-level exam, but felt Paper 2 in the afternoon might be a bit more stressful.
“It’s going to be harder alright, but it should be okay because we’ve been learning through Irish.
“It definitely gives us an advantage on other students,” she said.
So much so, in fact, she thought Irish Paper 1 was easier than the equivalent English exam on the first day of the Junior Certificate 24 hours earlier. One exam she was not looking forward to, however, is history next week.
“There’s so much writing and learning involved,” she said.
For Dean Ó Torpa, yesterday morning’s Irish Paper 1 was also plain sailing “There’s more pressure in the afternoon. The poetry particularly is harder,” he said.
But the teenager from Mahon was glad to have the first couple of exams behind him. “I thought English was okay as well.”
After all the pressure and build-up, said Bronagh, starting the Junior Certificate was like sitting any summer tests.
“There’s so much pressure on us to do well in the Junior Cert but when you get there, it’s just like another test,” agreed Dean.
Both he and Aoife must wait until the music exam on Wednesday week, June 20, before the Junior Certificate is over.
But Bronagh has a much quicker sweep, as she finishes next Thursday after her science exam.
All three have 11 subjects to take exams in, but students starting the Junior Certificate course in two years should have no more than eight exam subjects, an idea that this group welcomes.
“It’s a better idea, then after Junior Cert you can choose your other subjects for the Leaving,” said Bronagh.
A more immediate change, taking effect this year, is the allocation of 40% of marks for Leaving Certificate Irish to the oral test, instead of the 25% previously given to it.
“We’re learning everything through Irish already so we’ll hopefully have an advantage over everyone,” said Dean.
www.irishexaminer.com
Unexpected Irish Questions cause confusion
June 8, 2012
Trapattoni, Justin Bieber and Jedward provided topical but “challenging” questions in the higher level Junior Cert paper, one teacher felt.
For those listening to the higher level aural tape, there were a couple of “tough, bordering on unfair, and unexpected questions”, according to Robbie Cronin of the ASTI and Marian College, Dublin. “One question was to write down the title of the Réamhaisnéis na hAimsire – the weather forecast. My students were surprised and couldn’t answer it,” Mr Cronin said, adding the news item about the Young Scientist also caused confusion.
The reading comprehension pieces centred around an Irish teenage radio station, Raidio Ri- Ra, and Justin Bieber, which provided topical but challenging questions, said Mr Cronin.
However, the ASTI’s Richie Mac Liam from Chanel College, Dublin 5, felt the comprehensions were not as “straightforward” as in other years.
He said the comprehension question was still asking pupils to put answers in their own words, even though they wouldn’t get more marks than if they repeated what was in the text.
Mr Cronin said a glossary should have been provided for certain difficult words – such as ‘ craoladh sealadach’, meaning temporary broadcast. The choice of essay topics – featuring the Irish soccer team – were heralded as good and topical.
In Paper 2, the unseen prose question was described as “challenging but student- friendly”.
A broad glossary was provided for difficult words in the poetry section which underlines the unfairness of using similar difficult words in paper one, Mr Cronin argued.
Overall, most teachers agreed that the ordinary level paper did not appear to cause any major difficulties.
www.independent.ie
