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Why should I choose this subject?
If you have an interest and a desire to learn and experience the world around you then you will be well suited to this course. The AS units can be taken on their own as a stand-alone AS qualification which will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and competence in Irish for use in employment, leisure and travel; however, if you wish to continue to specialise in Irish at degree level or an equivalent, then you should continue with the A2 units and obtain the full A level Irish qualification.
We live in an interconnected world where international and cross-cultural working relationships are commonplace and a key aspect of the global workplace. Being able to speak another language, understand other cultures and empathise with colleagues who are working in a different language are valuable skills for students and will broaden the range of possible career plans open to you.
Learning a language also gives students opportunities to develop confidence, independence, communication skills, presentation techniques and IT competence, as well as skills in research, evaluation and analysis that colleges, universities and employers value highly.
How will I be assessed in this subject?
AS 1: Speaking
AS 2: Listening, Reading, and Use of Language
AS 3: Extended Writing
A2 1: Speaking
A2 2: Listening and Reading
A2 3: Extended Writing (Literature)
What will I study?
AS 1: Speaking
AS 1: Speaking
This is made up of a presentation [3 minutes] which you will prepare in advance followed by a conversation [8 minutes]. It will be conducted by an External Examiner. The speaking test will last approximately 11 minutes.
AS 2: Listening, Reading, and Use of Language
AS 2: Listening, Reading, and Use of Language
Section A: Listening The listening test will consist of two sets of questions based on two passages recorded on disk. It will last approximately 40 minutes. Section B: Reading One set of questions in Irish based on one passage and one translation from Irish into English. Section C: Use of Language Five questions with grammatical and lexical exercises and the translation of sentences from English into Irish. Sections B and C are combined into one paper which will last 1 hour 20 minutes.
AS 3: Extended Writing
AS 3: Extended Writing
The test will consist of one extended writing response chosen from a range of questions. This will last 1 hour.
A2 1: Speaking
A2 1: Speaking
This is made up of an introduction [1 minute] which you will prepare in advance followed by a discussion [5 minutes] and then a conversation [9 minutes]. It will be conducted by an External Examiner. The speaking test will last approximately 15 minutes
A2 2: Listening and Reading
A2 2: Listening and Reading
Section A: Listening The listening test will consist of two sets of questions based on two passages recorded on disk with answers in Irish and in English. It will last 45 minutes.
Section B: Reading The reading test will consist of two sets of questions in Irish based on two passages, one summary exercise and one translation from English into Irish. It will last 2 hours
A2 3: Extended Writing
A2 3: Extended Writing
The test will consist of one extended writing response chosen from a range of questions. This will last 1 hour.
What career pathways are available to me if I study this subject?
Learning a language will give you a wide range of skills and attributes. Not only will you be able to communicate in another language but you will have opportunities to improve communication and interpersonal skills which are highly sought after by employers, colleges and universities.
There are opportunities to study abroad through Erasmus+, Da Vinci or other international programmes. A qualification in GCE Irish will enable you to consider a range of employment opportunities such as teaching, tourism, broadcasting, marketing, enterprise and business. GCE Irish will also benefit you in areas such as financial services, information technology, journalism, engineering, international non-governmental organisations and government bodies.
Extra Curricular
If you choose A Level Irish, you may have the opportunity to take part in the following activities;
Trips to Gaeltacht
Feis an Dúin
Fáinne Awards
Workshops in Ulster University
Gael Linn table quiz and céilí
Gaelige 24
Seachtain na Gaelige
Be part of a thriving and growing local Irish speaking community
Opportunity to be in the audience of Irish language TV and radio shows
Student Testimonials
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