Irish is a pleasant language to learn. However, it is not easy to learn. Many students in Ireland begin their studies in Irish from junior infants in primary school, which is when they also start their studies in Maths and English grammar.
Along with these subjects, many students continue their studies of the language in secondary school with some continuing to pursue it in university. Comparing Irish to such subjects, several students find Maths easier to excel in than Irish, with many of them describing themselves as ‘just not a language person.’
Palpably, Irish is harder to learn than many other languages. It will require a lot of work to come out of the Leaving Cert exams with a high grade. You will be up against those who speak it as their first language so you'll need to incorporate your learning into your daily life if you want to achieve your potential in the subject
Irish is a convoluted language with many rules and exceptions to the rules, and even the way the sentences are structured is peculiar. Irish is not a language that most Irish people grow up knowing fluently; rather, it is a language that is gradually learnt over time.
As it is generally learnt over time and is also on the Leaving Cert, there are certain things that students must know in Irish before they sit the Irish Leaving Cert exam, and these requirements are assessed in the exam.
In this article, I will guide you on how to approach the written section of the Irish Leaving Cert exam so that you can navigate any topics that appear on the day.
Preparing for the Essay Question
Starting with Paper One, it is beneficial to learn off a bunch of essays and phrases for the essay if you are doing Higher Level. If you do not use them for the essay, you can use them in the oral exam.
The essay question in the Leaving Cert Irish written exam holds significant weight, accounting for 100 marks, which is about 16.7% of the total grade. When you’re gunning for top marks in the exam, you can’t afford to let any of these marks go.
You’ll need to do everything you can in order to ensure that you are putting yourself in the best position to show the examiner that you deserve the grade.
In order to make sure that you are getting off on the right foot, leave yourself plenty of time to refine your thoughts so that your essay is well-structured. For this, you could consider outlining or creating a mind map to ensure your essay flows logically.
Your essay should have a strong introduction, coherent body paragraphs and a conclusive ending!
Another effective strategy is to incorporate examples into your essay, is as anecdotes, incidents or references that support your arguments to give substance and depth to your points. Drawing on your knowledge of language, culture and literature will add credibility and expertise to your writing.
Using a variety of words and phrases that reflect the richness of the language shows a strong grasp of it. It's important to display your skills but also be mindful of using language and expressions that are accurate and fitting for the context of the essay. Using idioms or vocabulary incorrectly can diminish the quality of your writing.
Don't forget the importance of proofreading and editing your essay. Once you've finished writing, take the time to carefully review your work for grammar or spelling errors and ensure that your arguments flow logically and throughout.
Diving into past paper questions and crafting sample essays allows students to identify common themes and develop a strategy for answering them effectively. This practice not only boosts confidence but also ensures students are well-prepared to tackle the exam with a range of well-thought-out responses.
Leveraging online resources, PDF guides, and educational websites can provide additional tips and examples to enhance their study sessions.
Know your verbs well as they are useful for the written exam and most importantly, practise past papers. This is very useful for reading comprehension, so you will know how to answer them. There are many other resources that will also help to answer the questions.
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Structuring your Irish Essay
Preparing sample essays in advance of the Leaving Cert Irish exam is a strategy that cannot be overlooked. This method serves as a great guide, enabling students to refine their writing skills, understand the structure of a high-quality essay, and grasp the depth of analysis required for higher-level questions.
By tackling a variety of topics, from historical events to contemporary issues, students can build a comprehensive library of examples that can be adapted to different questions on the day of the exam.
Before you get to putting pen to paper, take a minute to make sure you understand what is required and expected and identify the points or themes you should cover. Typically, the essay topic for the Irish Leaving Cert revolves around "Irish Society," giving you room to delve into cultural and economic aspects.
Once you grasp the prompt clearly it's crucial to plan out your essay in a manner. A structured essay, with an introduction body paragraphs and a conclusion, will showcase your ability to present ideas logically.
A suggested structure for the essay could be:
Opening Paragraph: Introduce the topic of inequality in Irish society, setting the context for your essay.
Body Paragraphs:
- Paragraph 1: Address the housing crisis, discussing the lack of affordable housing, rising rents, and soaring home prices.
- Paragraph 2: Explore the issues within the healthcare system, such as underfunding, long waiting lists, and the disparities between public and private healthcare.
- Paragraph 3: Examine the cost of living crisis, highlighting the impact of rising inflation and the pressure it places on families.
- Paragraph 4: Discuss wealth inequality in the education system, contrasting public and private schools, and the implications of continuous assessment.
Make sure that your essay doesn't seem unfinished by ending abruptly. Make sure to wrap up your essay by highlighting the importance of promoting change and equality within society and advocating for a fairer and more societal framework.
Before handing in your essay, I recommend that you dedicate at least 3 minutes to proofreading it meticulously for any mistakes and ensuring that your ideas progress coherently.
How to Get High Marks in the Prose Section
The section on prose in the Irish Leaving Cert exam evaluates your ability to understand and analyse literature. To do well in this part, you must show a comprehension of the material that you will have worked on in class throughout the Leaving Cert cycle.
You will need to keep notes that you can revise, particularly as the exam approaches. So make sure to make clear notes on the plot, characters, themes and literary techniques used by the writer.
When responding to questions about prose, you’ll also need to back up your analysis with examples and quotes from the texts. This demonstrates your understanding and capacity to engage with the content.
Pay close attention to how the question is phrased and identify the elements that are being asked about. Shape your answers accordingly by addressing each aspect raised in the question.
A great way of ensuring that you structure your responses effectively for a high grade is to organise your ideas logically on paper before you start writing your answer.
Once you are ready to get started, you can begin with a paragraph outlining your arguments, followed by body paragraphs that delve into your analysis and finish with a brief conclusion reinforcing your interpretation.
Examine the prose works from different angles by considering their context, cultural influences and how the author's personal experiences may have influenced their writing. Impressing the examiners with an in-depth analysis will highlight your critical thinking skills.
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How to Approach Answering the Poetry Question
The poetry section of the Irish Leaving Cert exam can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can secure high marks.
Of course, the best place to start when preparing for this question is familiarising yourself thoroughly with the prescribed poems. Read them multiple times and take notes on the themes, literary devices, and the poet's style.
You should find and use study techniques that suit you best, such as making mind maps using flashcards or recording audio notes. This will make sure that all of that hard work is being put to good use and you’ll also find that you enjoy your learning a lot more too!
Regularly practising answering exam questions related to poetry should also be at the core of your preparation. Reviewing sample answers also aids in understanding marking criteria and can inspire you to tackle the section yourself.
Both of these will help you to get acquainted with the question format, the types of queries posed, and the depth of analysis expected.
Prior to responding to a poetry question, take a moment to plan your answer. Identify the aspects the question focuses on, such as themes, literary devices, or the poet's message. After organising your thoughts, structure your response coherently with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Of course, you’re likely sick to death of hearing this from your Irish teacher, but including quotes or examples from the poems demonstrates your ability to critically engage with the poems.
Learn H1 Standard Answers with a Tutor from Superprof
If you are going to pull an H1 grade out of the bag in the Irish Leaving Certificate exam, consistent practice and a strong command of grammar and the subject matter are essential. Superprof provides access to a group of private tutors who can assist you in mastering the Irish language and performing well on the test.
The tutors offering their services on Superprof come from backgrounds including educators, university students, and native Irish speakers, ensuring that you receive high-quality instruction tailored to your specific requirements.
Incorporating feedback from teachers or study groups into these sample essays can further refine writing skills, making it easier for students to express their ideas clearly and coherently. Ultimately, the effort put into preparing these essays beforehand can significantly impact one's ability to write convincingly under exam conditions, ultimately elevating grades and achieving success in the Irish exam.
Working with a tutor through Superprof offers customised guidance and immediate feedback for you to improve on. This personalised approach enables you to advance at your own pace, focusing on your strengths and weaknesses while ensuring comprehensive comprehension of the material.
Superprof's Irish tutors come equipped with an arsenal of sample essays, comprehensive study guides, and a deep understanding of the Leaving Cert Irish exam's intricacies. They will help you navigate through the complexities of essay writing, offering tips and strategies to enhance your writing skills. As well as your listening skills, to ensure you perform just as well for the aural exam.
Whether you're tackling historical topics, contemporary issues, or literary pieces, these tutors will provide you with high-level examples and writing prompts to practice.
Their expertise not only spans the content needed for higher-level success but also the nuances of crafting essays that resonate with examiners. From structuring your paper to fine-tuning your arguments, they know exactly what it takes to elevate your essays from good to great.
With access to a plethora of resources—such as PDFs, past paper questions, and exclusive online materials—Superprof's tutors ensure that you're well-prepared and confident come exam day. You can practice reading comprehension with your tutor, especially the part that requires students to identify a verb in a particular tense.
If you make the leap and reach out to a Superprof tutor you will be well on your way to developing the confidence and skills to excel in the Irish Leaving Certificate exam.
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