A-LEVEL IRISH
A Level – Irish
Introduction
AS Level Irish builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE Irish at higher tier. The Advanced GCE specification incorporates the AS. Why choose GCE Irish? Learning a language and studying another culture are both fascinating and mindexpanding in their own right. We live in an interconnected world where international and crosscultural working relationships are commonplace and a key aspect of the global workplace. Being able to speak another language, understand another culture and empathise with colleagues who are working in a second language is valuable for students with a range of future career plans.” From CCEA Specification Introduction.
Recommended GCSE Subjects and Grades
Irish A*/A
Subject Content
AS
Unit 1: Speaking
– 30% of AS / 12% of A Level
Unit 2: Listening, Reading & Use of Language
– 40% of AS / 16% of A Level
Unit 3: Extended Writing
– 30% of AS / 12% of A Level
A2
Unit 1: Speaking
– 18% of A Level
Unit 2: Listening & Reading
– 24% of A Level
Unit 3: Extended Writing
– 18% of A Level
Method of Assessment
AS
Unit 1: Speaking –
A 3min prepared presentation –
A 8min general conversation relating to AS themes
Unit 2: Listening, Reading & Use of Language
40min Listening examination with 2 recordings from 2 different themes – Recording 1: Questions and answers in Irish – Recording 2: Questions and answers in English
50min Reading examination
– Question 1: Comprehension with questions and answers in Irish
– Question 2: Translation from Irish to English
30min examination
– Questions 1-4 involve short grammatical exercises
– Question 5: Translate short sentences from English to Irish.
Unit 3: Extended Writing
1 hour examination with a written essay, offering a choice of 2 open-ended essay questions, based on 1 of the following prestudied areas: –
Film: Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom, Lipserviceor Clare sa Spéir
– Literary Text: Péigí Rose: Anne
A2
Unit 1: Speaking
– A 1min introduction and 5min discussion based on an individual research project
– A 9min general conversation focusing on A2 themes
Unit 2: Listening & Reading
45min Listening examination with 2 recordings based on A Level themes
– Recording 1: Questions and answers in Irish –
Recording 2: Questions and answers in English
2hour examination
– Question 1: gap-filling in Irish
– Question 2: question, with answers in Irish
– Question 3: Irish reading passage to be summarised in English in 100 words
– Question 4: English to Irish translation
Unit 3: Extended Writing
1 hour examination with a written essay, offering a choice of 2 open-ended essay questions, based on 1 of the following prestudied literary texts:
– Anam na Teanga
– Lá Fhéile Míchíl
– Poetry selection
Career Possibilities
Education: Teaching in English or Irish Medium Sector; Lecturing; Development Officers with a range of organizations committed to the promotion of Irish Language. Advertising Drama Hospitality Management ICT Interpreting Journalism Marketing Media News-reading Radio Reporting Scriptwriting Television Tourism Translation Website Design
Other Information
Students who choose AS/A2 Level Irish must be committed to their studies and it will be strongly recommended that they attend residential courses in the Gaeltacht. Independent study is also an important aspect of the course and, a wide range of resources are available to make provision for this. A’ Level students in Irish are given the opportunity to enhance personal development by taking a lead role in organizing support and activities for other year groups. Extra- curricular activities are a fun and prominent element of studying advanced level Irish.
