My eldest daughter has her coronary heart set on major faculty educating. She has not too long ago found that she wants a minimal of a H4 in Irish, which can be a giant ask, on condition that it’s simply her weakest topic. May you supply any recommendation?
As you say, the entry requirement for Irish in major faculty educating programs is 60-69 per cent, or a H4. It’s because Irish types a central a part of the first curriculum and lecturers are anticipated to show different topics by way of the language.
It’s not necessary at second stage the place there are, in fact, subject-specific lecturers.
So, how can she maximise her possibilities of an excellent grade?
On condition that the oral accounts for 40 per cent of the general marks, she ought to immerse herself as a lot as potential in listening to Irish language media. Programmes on TG4 with English subtitles are additionally a wonderful option to tune the ear to conversational Irish.
If she performs effectively within the orals subsequent Easter, she might be effectively on her option to assembly the H4 entry requirement.
Firstly, she ought to familiarise herself with how marks are awarded within the orals. The examination, which lasts quarter-hour, is damaged into three primary components.
First is the welcome (5 marks): your daughter says whats up to the examiner, provides her title, age, tackle, birthday, and examination quantity. Make certain she has this effectively ready. A superb begin will settle her nerves.
Subsequent is poetry studying (35 marks): The examiner will select considered one of 5 prescribed poems – Mo Ghrá-sa, Geibheann, Colscaradh, An tEarrach Thiar, or An Spailpín Fánach – for her to learn. She should not overlook to first learn the title and poet’s title.
Up subsequent are image tales (80 marks): the examiner will choose one of many ten “sraith pictiurí” and he or she might be required to discuss what’s going on within the image in both the previous or current tense. Then, she should ask the examiner three questions in regards to the chosen sraith pictiúr. The examiner will then ask her three particular questions on the image.
Lastly, there’s the overall dialog (120 marks): Usually, there are about eight minutes for the “comhrá” a part of the examination. She ought to attempt to lead the dialog to matters she is comfy speaking about.
Potential matters embrace your self, your loved ones, the place you reside, your pastimes or hobbies, faculty, what you hope to do after faculty. The one approach you are able to do that is by practising discussing these points with a fellow scholar or an individual with a fluency in Irish.
Present affairs are additionally essential. Within the gentle of the housing and cost-of-living disaster at house, and battle in Ukraine and Israel, she ought to put together to debate these points and any others which come up within the coming months normally phrases.
Moreover, she ought to file herself doing a mock oral (5 poems/10 sraith/comhrá matters) she is comfy with and pay attention again commonly to it over the approaching months.
Do you might have a profession or training question? E-mail askbrian@irishtimes.com