Amongst the seven subjects that are generally taken by Leaving Cert students, French is included in that selection for approximately 40% of all final year students in secondary school sitting the Leaving Certificate Examinations. There are many advantages of studying French for the Leaving Cert.
According to Forbes, data suggests that French could be the language of the future. It is indeed a language of culture, which is why in the Leaving Cert French exams, students are often asked about French culture because there are a variety of areas internationally that are associated with French, such as dance, food, fashion and theatre.
The Leaving Cert French exam is a crucial component of the Leaving Certificate in Ireland. It assesses students' ability to communicate effectively in written French, testing their grammar, vocabulary, and overall language skills. The written section of the exam requires students to demonstrate their understanding of various topics and express their ideas clearly and coherently.
The written section of the Leaving Cert French exam consists of a series of questions and tasks designed to evaluate your comprehension and writing skills. It involves reading and responding to written texts, as well as producing your own written pieces. To succeed in this section, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the exam format and requirements.
In the 2019 Higher Level Leaving Cert French exam that was sat by 15,654 students, the average points were 67 which is an H4. 6.2% were awarded an H1, 13.9% achieved an H2, 18.7% achieved an H3, 22.6% received an H4, 21.3% received an H5, 13% got an H6, 3.7% got a H7 and finally 0.6% ended up with an H8.
It was even worse for Leaving Cert students sitting the exam at Ordinary Level which averaged 22 points. As these results are consistent with previous years, these findings show that when it comes to the Leaving Cert French exam, there is a lot of room for improvement.
The first step in mastering the written section is to familiarise yourself with the different types of questions you may encounter. These can include comprehension exercises, essay writing, and letter/email composition. Each question has specific instructions and criteria that you must adhere to. Understanding these instructions and practising different question types will enhance your chances of performing well in the exam.
As Leaving Cert students scramble to rack up as many points as they can possibly get, this article will give you tips on how you can improve in the Leaving Cert written exam. Hopefully, we can drive up the average points of 67 and 22 as shown above.
How is the French Leaving Cert Exam divided up?
Fundamentally, there are three components to the French Leaving Certificate Exam, as well as the French Junior Certificate exam – the oral, the written, and the aural (also known as the listening part). The Leaving Cert French oral exam is 25%, while the written part is 55% and the aural is 20%, which varies at the Ordinary level.
To find out how the French curriculum is laid out in order to assess the listed topics set out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in the written exam, read the article with a guide to Leaving Cert French. It will guide you in the various areas of Leaving Cert French, further outlining the topics that are covered in the exam.
In order to prepare effectively for the written section and develop an understanding of what is required for each type of question, you might want to consult a number of different resources.
First and foremost, learning the marking schemes inside and out is perhaps the most important method when it comes to learning what is required so that you know exactly how to go about answering each section. To further support your preparation for the written section of the Leaving Cert French exam, here are some other recommended practice resources:
- Past Exam Papers: Access previous years' exam papers to familiarise yourself with the question formats and topics that have been covered. Attempt these papers under timed conditions to simulate the real exam experience.
- Online Language Platforms: Utilise online platforms that offer French language exercises, writing prompts, and grammar practice. These resources can provide additional opportunities for practice and improvement.
- French Writing Workbooks: Invest in reputable French writing workbooks that offer exercises and Leaving Cert French sample answers. These workbooks often provide valuable tips and explanations to help you improve your writing skills.
While it can be argued that the oral is the most significant aspect of French for life in general, the written is undeniably the most important part of the Leaving Cert French exam. If a student receives full marks in the French written exam, that automatically brings them up to an H5.
If a student leaves the written part of the exam blank, the highest they can receive is an H6, so it is very evident that the written is the most important portion of the exam, which carries the most marks. The written exam is completed before the aural commences, generally ten minutes before the aural commences. It carries 220 marks and lasts for 2 hours and 30 minutes at both Higher and Ordinary levels.
What topics are covered in the French Leaving Cert written exam?
Since the written exam is the largest portion of the Leaving Cert French exam, a broad range of topics are covered, similar to the oral exam. The written section frequently includes themes such as education, technology, the environment, social issues and various aspects of culture and the Francophone world.
It would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with these subjects and stay updated on events so that you can confidently express your thoughts in the exam.
There are two sections at Higher Level: Section A carries 120 marks and Section B carries 100 marks. Section A has two reading comprehensions with questions that follow. Both reading comprehensions must be answered. The answers must be given in French unless it is specified that they should be given in English/Irish.
Question 6 in Section A for both reading comprehension usually asks a question requiring an answer in English/Irish. The question will be asked in both English and Irish. Section B has four questions and Question 1 is mandatory and usually related to the reading comprehensions and two questions out of Questions 2,3 and 4 must be answered.
Question 1 is usually an opinion piece or a topical question. Questions 2,3 and 4 could be a diary entry, letter, email, opinion piece, postcard, written production, message, topical question, or a general question.
There are two sections at Ordinary Level: Section I is 160 marks and contains four reading comprehensions and all the questions must be answered in French unless stated otherwise. In Section II, which is 60 marks, students pick two out of options A, B and C to do. It could be a letter, application form, letter, postcard, email, message, or diary entry, amongst others.
The topics that tend to come up in the written exam are animals, nature, the environment, education, health, travel, tourism, culture, politics, social issues, equality, sport, technology, the media, young people, music, and current affairs.
Multiple topics come up on the written paper each year and it is impossible to predict what could come up on the written exam. New topics are constantly coming up each year, so it is important to expand your vocabulary.
To further ensure your study time is spent as optimally as possible and you are spending your time preparing the correct responses, you will need to look at past papers extensively.
Analysing these answers will provide you with insights into the level of detail required, appropriate vocabulary usage, grammatical correctness and the overall structure of a well-crafted response. By studying and practising with sample answers, you can develop an understanding of what examiners expect and enhance your writing abilities.
How to structure your answers in the written exam
Structuring your answers effectively is crucial in the written section of the Leaving Cert French Exam. A well-structured response demonstrates clarity of thought and helps the examiner follow your arguments or ideas. Here is a recommended structure to use when answering different question types:
Comprehension Exercises:
- Begin by summarising the main points of the text in your own words.
- Provide answers to the specific questions posed, using evidence from the text to support your responses.
- Conclude by offering your own opinion or thoughts on the topic discussed in the text.
Essay Writing:
- Start with an engaging introduction that presents the topic and your main argument.
- Develop your argument by presenting supporting evidence and examples.
- Use paragraphs to organise your ideas and ensure a logical flow of information.
- Conclude by summarising your main points and restating your thesis.
Letter/Email Composition:
- Start with a formal salutation and introductory paragraph.
- Use paragraphs to address different aspects of the topic or respond to specific points raised.
- Conclude with a polite closing and signature.
By following these structures, you can effectively convey your ideas and maximise your chances of achieving a high score in the written section. Having an understanding of how to structure your writing is crucial. The structure alone will make it easier for an examiner to correct and will help you pick up more marks in the process.
If you take a look at a marking scheme for any past French exam paper, you will see what the examiner is looking for when they are reading any of your written pieces. This is an extremely useful exercise that will help you arrive at an understanding of what is expected of you when you are answering any question in your French exam.
Key strategies and exam tactics for Leaving Cert French written paper
While everyone has their own strengths and areas of interest, there are still quite a number of tried and proven tactics and strategies that you can employ in the exam hall that will put you in the best position to succeed on the day.
The truth is, knowing the content is not enough; you will also need to know how to go about answering the questions in the written section of your exam so that you are awarded all of the marks you deserve.
To perform well in the written section of the Leaving Cert French Exam, it is essential to adopt effective strategies and tactics. Here are some key tips to help you excel:
- Time Management: Allocate sufficient time to read and understand the questions before starting your answers. Plan your writing time wisely to ensure you have enough time to complete all tasks.
- Language Accuracy: Pay close attention to grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Use a variety of sentence structures and appropriate vocabulary to showcase your language skills.
- Proofreading: Always allocate a few minutes at the end of the exam to review and edit your answers. Check for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, and make necessary corrections.
- Word Count: Adhere to the word count specified for each question. Writing too much or too little may result in marks being deducted.
- Relevance: Stay focused on the question and avoid going off-topic. Ensure that every sentence you write contributes to answering the question effectively.
By implementing these strategies and tactics, you can enhance your performance in the written section and increase your chances of achieving a favourable outcome.
Mastering the written section of the Leaving Cert French Exam requires consistent practice and dedication. Here are some additional tips to help you excel:
- Expand Vocabulary: Continuously work on expanding your French vocabulary by reading books, articles, and other French-language resources. This will enable you to express your ideas more precisely and effectively.
- Grammar Practice: Regularly practice grammar exercises to reinforce your understanding of French grammar rules. Pay special attention to verb conjugations, tenses, and sentence structures.
- Writing Practice: Set aside time for regular writing practice. Choose different Leaving Cert French written topics and question types, and aim to write at least one piece per week. This will help you develop your writing skills and familiarise yourself with various question formats.
- Feedback and Corrections: Seek feedback from your French teacher or a native speaker. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. Make note of common mistakes and work on rectifying them.
- Mock Exams: Prior to the actual Leaving Cert French Exam, take mock exams to simulate the exam environment and assess your progress. Practice under timed conditions to improve your time management skills.
By following these tips, you can enhance your writing abilities and confidently tackle the written section of the Leaving Cert French Exam. Online resources are also a good preparation guide.
Practising for the French written exam on Superprof
The written section of the Leaving Cert French Exam is a challenging but crucial aspect of the overall assessment. By understanding the exam format, practising with sample answers, structuring your responses effectively, and implementing key strategies and tactics, you can master this section and maximise your chances of success.
Remember to consistently work on expanding your vocabulary, practising grammar, and seeking feedback to continuously improve your writing skills. Finally, utilise the recommended practice resources to further enhance your preparation. Best of luck in your Leaving Cert French Exam!
Superprof is filled with tutors worldwide, with different abilities and levels of French. It will be very helpful in studying for the written exam. You could do past papers with a tutor, which is highly recommended when preparing for the written exam. The tutor could even help you to write a letter to your French pen pal.
They could even throw a topical issue at you and you would write your opinion about that issue down, such as racism or politics. You can practise reading comprehension with your tutor and after your session, you can write a journal intime, which is a diary entry about how the session with your Superprof tutor went.
You might even choose to communicate with your Superprof tutor solely in French, which will benefit all aspects of your French – the oral, the written and your hearing of the French language.
From understanding the exam format to structuring your answers effectively, we have provided valuable insights and tips to help you excel. By following the strategies, tactics, and practice resources recommended, you can enhance your preparation and confidently tackle this challenging section. Remember, consistent practice and dedication are key to mastering the written section and achieving your desired results.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
