1. GCE Irish
Support Events
March 2009

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

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

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