GCE Irish Support Events March 2009

Agenda Overview of AS Overview of A2 Presentation of A2 speaking test support material Marking exercise Planned support for GCE

AS speaking tests Choice of topic Instructions and Guidance to teachers and candidates Presentation – AO2 – 20 marks – 3 minutes Discussion – AO1 – 10 marks – 2 minutes General conversation – AO1 30 marks / AO3 10 marks – 8 minutes Candidates should select a topic from the AS contexts for learning – the topics are broad so most candidates should be able to find a topic that suits them. For the discussion part of the speaking test, candidates are being assessed on their ability to respond to the visiting examiners questions, to initiate and develop discussions.

AS speaking tests No AO4 marks Summary sheet – submitted to CCEA by end Dec / March Pro-forma – retained in centre for visiting examiner / max 60 words The explicit marks for AO4 have been removed. This means that candidates will not be penalised if they fail to display knowledge of the target language country in relation to the topic. If they have studied the topic in relation to the target language country, it is perfectly acceptable for them to talk about this. The summary sheet should contain approximately 5 heading which cover the main topics / themes that the candidate is going to cover in their presentation. This should be submitted to CCEA by the end of March. The pro forma should contain no more than 60 words – this is prepared by the candidate and can contain anything that they will find helpful while delivering their presentation. A copy of this form should be retained by the teacher and given to the visiting examiner when they arrive at the centre to conduct the test.

AS extended writing Contexts / choice of questions 200-250 words AO3 – 30 marks AO2 – 20 marks Common questions: AO4 marks / Content of bullet points? There will be a question on 2 of the 3 contexts for learning. Candidates should write 200-250 words in response to this question. CCEA does not instruct examiners to stop marking once the word length has been reached. However, it has been found in the past that candidates tend to self-penalise if they write much more than the allocated word length. The explicit AO4 marks have been removed which means that candidates will not be penalised for not showing knowledge of the topic in relation to the target language country. If candidates have knowledge of the topic in relation to the target language country, it is perfectly acceptable for them to write about it.

AS extended writing French January 2009 questions Context: Health and lifestyle Title: Health Advice The importance of a healthy diet Addictions and drugs A healthy way of life

AS extended writing French January 2009 questions Context: Young People in Society Title: Young people and adults The attitude of adults to young people The importance of family for young people The influence of friends

AS extended writing German January 2009 questions Context: Relationships Title: Life without siblings Families today The advantages and disadvantages of being an only child The consequences of only children for society

AS extended writing German January 2009 questions Context: Young People in Society Title: Pupils under pressure to perform The reason there is pressure to perform in school The consequences for young people today Suggestions for reducing the pressure to perform in school

AS extended writing Irish: January 2009 questions Context: Relationships Title: Young people and their problems in society Advantages young people have today Disadvantages young people have today The way to improve life for young people

AS extended writing Irish: January 2009 questions Context: Young People in Society Title: Culture and the media Advantages associated with the internet today Disadvantages associated with the internet today The way the internet affects young people

A2 writing Literary topics 300-350 words Choice of questions AO2 40 marks AO3 10 marks Each text will have 2 questions on it – candidates choose which one to answer. Similarly to AS writing, examiners do not stop marking but candidates tend to self-penalise if they write much above the word limit.

A2 speaking tests Background to CDs - students Presentation of support material Marking exercise Discussion

Local support A local team fully committed to supporting you; Accessible subject officers and specification support officers; Tailored guidance from a subject specialist; and Centre visits on request

Our support online Specification Specimen papers and mark schemes Chief Examiner’s reports with top tips for improving examination performance Student Guides Resource packs

Our support online contd Coming soon Student podcasts with top tips on how to prepare for the examination Top team podcasts with top tips on improving examination performance

Languages support NICILT film days June 2009 teachers’ days Autumn 2009 pupils’ days Exemplification of standards AS 2009 A2 2010 Continued support for AS and A2

Award of A* An A* will be awarded to the candidates who: attain an overall grade A in the qualification; and an aggregate of at least 90% of the uniform marks across the A2 units.

Staying informed For information on all our support events go to www.ccea.org.uk Click on the Events icon (top left)

Contacts Officer with subject responsibility: cmcnicholl@ccea.org.uk Specification Support Officer: edolan@ccea.org.uk Distribution cceadistribution@ccea.org.uk