So, you’re on the path to becoming a Gealgoir. Whatever your motive is for embarking on this journey of improving your ability to speak the Irish language it can be a challenging road for even the most academic students.
Opting to study Irish at higher level as a leaving cert subject is a decision you will not live to regret. The exam format is easy to navigate and with 40% of the grade going for the oral assessment, you can prepare a huge portion in advance!
Irish, also known as Gaeilge, is the most studied language by Leaving Cert students, followed by French. For many, Irish is compulsory, even if you describe yourself as ‘just not a language person.’ Regardless, many must deal with it and stick with Irish.
Irish is a dying language that resides in Gaeltacht regions and classrooms around the country, outside of these spaces, you will seldom hear the choirs of chatter in our mother tongue.
Learning Irish at school is a great way of keeping the culture alive while picking up points for your oral assessment.
My aim in this article is that after you finish reading, you will have an understanding of the Oral test format and an instructive blueprint for how you can jump up a few grade brackets by the time the assessment rolls around!
How is the Irish Leaving Cert Exam Divided?
The first step to acing your test is to understand how it is structured so that you can best allocate your time and study efforts.
There are three components to Exam – the oral, the written and the aural, also known as the listening part.
As mentioned, the oral assessment is 40%, the aural exam is 10%, and the written part is 50%, so you might want to divide your study time accordingly!
1. Fáiltiú (Greeting) - 5 marks
In this part, you demonstrate how well you can greet the examiner and confidently introduce yourself. Points are given for how you speak, your pronunciation and your overall ability.
2. Aithrís filíochta (Poetry recitation) - 35 marks
You need to perform a poem of your choosing. The person assessing you will judge how well you pronounce the words, the way you express them and your overall performance. Points are given for picking a poem that matches your ability.
3. Sraith Pictiúr (Picture sequence) - 80 marks
This section tests your ability to describe a series of pictures coherently and accurately. The examiner assesses your vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and overall proficiency. Points are awarded for your ability to narrate the sequence logically and incorporate relevant idiomatic expressions.
4. Comhrá (Conversation) - 120 marks
The examination conversation segment holds weight. During this part, the examiner will talk to you about a variety of subjects, including your family, hobbies, future aspirations and current events. Your performance will be evaluated based on your communication level, ability to use vocabulary effectively and clarity, in expressing your thoughts and opinions.
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Improve your Grade in the Irish Oral
The assessment is distinct from the Written Paper, and if you incorporate the right strategies in your learning and develop your fluency, it can really help improve your grade.
These resources cover Leaving Cert topics and can enhance your comprehension and vocabulary level.
During the test, the examiner will select a poem for you to read. Practice reading poems aloud with correct pronunciation and intonation.
The picture series (Sraith Pictiúr) is a part of the assessment from the conversation with the examiner. Practice describing the pictures in order and familiarise yourself with phrases that can be used with picture sequences.
Prepare to talk about a range of topics, such as yourself, your family, where you live, your school, future plans, hobbies, social media, weekends, holidays, Gaeltacht culture and conversational use, environmental concerns, issues, or current events such as Brexit or Donald Trump.
For the first part of the oral, just remember the answers to the questions and keep repeating them over again to prepare. For the second part which requires students to read one of the five pieces of poetry that are also on the curriculum for the written section, keep rehearsing the poems so you can get it right.
Also, watch your pace for the poetry part. Your pronunciation could be perfect, but you will be penalised for speaking too fast. Poetry tells a story, so read it like a narrator.
Learn your Sraith Pictuirs for the Irish Oral
The sraith pictiúir (picture sequences) are a common and challenging part of the Irish Oral. Understanding and mastering this part is key since it makes up a large portion of the grade – specifically 80, out of the 240 marks in total.
To get the score, it's important to focus on the quality rather than just the quantity of your work. Examiners are interested in grammar skills, diverse sentence structures, and a wide vocabulary. One useful strategy is to use the 'tissue gainer look' (tense) in your descriptions.
The 'tissue gainer look' involves using phrases that can be adapted for any scenario. For example, you could incorporate phrases like 'in a flash,' 'in no time at all,' or 'without any delay' to demonstrate your understanding of the tense.
Imagine going blank on the day; it would definitely be useful if you had learned expressions that could be applied to any picture, right? You can use this approach to convey emotions like 'the boy's fear' or 'the girl's happiness no matter what Sraith Pictiúr you are dealt in your assessment.
To improve your performance more try mixing up how you structure your sentences. For instance, you can use phrases like 'at the beginning of the year' or 'by the end of the week' to signal when events start or finish.
Show that you're aware of time by saying things like 'during the day/night' or 'in the middle of the week'.
Start by talking about an event and then explain what happened next 'after facing the issue'. This way of telling a story lets you showcase your vocabulary with phrases like 'feeling miserable' or 'in despair'.
By including these phrases and showing off that "tissue gainer look ", you can display speaking ability in any Sraith pictiúir, which can lead to better test results.
Common Leaving Cert Irish Oral Questions
By knowing all of the questions that can be asked in the assessment in advance of walking through the door, you can put a chance out of the picture and guarantee yourself some points in this portion of the assessment.
Have you considered collaborating with a tutor, either face-to-face or through sessions? A tutor can offer support, feedback, and practice sessions designed specifically for the listening assessment structure.
They can also assist you in pinpointing areas that need improvement and provide tips to boost your listening abilities.
- Cé thú féin? (Who are you?) This question prompts you to introduce yourself, providing details about your name, age, where you live, and your family background.
- Cad é do chúlra? (What is your background?) Here, you'll be expected to discuss your family, including your parents' occupations, siblings, and any other relevant information about your upbringing.
- Cad iad na hábhair atá á ndéanamh agat? (What subjects are you studying?) Be prepared to talk about the subjects you're studying and why you enjoy them.
- Cad é an obair bhaile a bhíonn agat? (What homework do you have?) Discuss the types of homework assignments you receive, how you manage your workload, and any challenges you face in completing your homework.
- Cad é an spórt is fearr leat? (What is your favourite sport?) Describe your favourite sport, why you enjoy it, and any achievements or memorable experiences related to that sport.
- Cad é an caitheamh aimsire is fearr leat? (What is your favourite pastime?) Share your hobbies and interests outside of school, such as reading, music, or any other leisure activities you enjoy.
- Cad é an saghas duine thú? (What kind of person are you?) This question allows you to describe your personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses in a thoughtful and honest manner.
- Cad é an obair a theastaíonn uait a dhéanamh nuair a bheidh tú críochnaithe leis an scoil? (What job do you want to do when you finish school?) Discuss your future career aspirations, the reasons behind your choice, and any steps you've taken to pursue that path.
To do well in the Oral assessment, it's essential to practice expanding your vocabulary and have confidence in your conversational ability. Getting familiar with questions can boost your readiness and comfort level for the test.
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Practising for the Irish Oral with Superprof
As with any language, when you first start practising speaking, it is often both challenging and intimidating. The more you learn and grow comfortable speaking it, the faster you will progress!
It’s always tough at the beginning, so don’t let that set you back; once you get through the basics, the growth is exponential. Achieving a high mark in this section is certainly attainable, too; you will just need to put in the hours and study smart!
If you’re looking to brush up on your Irish, then look no further than Superprof! Superprof is a community of millions of tutors around the world and has established a strong presence in Ireland. With countless qualified Irish tutors available online with just a few simple clicks of a mouse, you’ll waste no time finding the right fit for you!
For students who are unsure about how to study for the oral assessment or have difficulty in particular areas of the course, the platform offers a degree of choice and flexibility that extends beyond what is offered by other online tutoring services.
If you plan on studying here in Ireland, then the platform is the easiest way to pair up with a suitable teacher.
Having a tutor can even help to put your mind at ease during the build-up to a test. Working through exam solutions and coaching students through best practice assessment tactics are just some of the benefits that surface with the assistance of an Irish tutor.
You will also be able to practice speaking and build on your communication ability incrementally as you progress through your lessons.
Using a Superprof tutor is cheaper than going to the Gaeltacht, and many tutors offer their first lesson for free.
Choose to speak Gaeilge with a Superprof tutor today!
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