French
Subject Overview
There is a common syllabus framework for the teaching and examining of modern languages in the Leaving Certificate. Syllabus content draws on and develops many aspects of the aims, objectives and content of languages at junior cycle. The aims are
- To foster in learners such communicative skills in the target language as will enable them to:
- take full part in classroom activities conducted in the target language
- participate in everyday transactions and interactions
- extract information and derive enjoyment from the mass media
- consider as a realistic option the possibility of pursuing leisure activities, further study and/or career opportunities through the medium of the target language
- To give learners a critical awareness of how meaning is organised and conveyed by the structures and vocabulary of the target language, and thus to contribute to their understanding of the workings of human language in general
- To help learners develop strategies for effective language learning
- To equip learners with a broad acquaintance with the cultural, social and political complexion of countries in which the target language is a normal medium of communication and thus to help raise their awareness of cultural, social and political diversity generally.
Content
The three broad components of the syllabus are:
- Basic Communicative Proficiency
- Language Awareness
- Cultural Awareness
An integrated approach to these components is recommended.
- Basic Communicative Proficiency builds on the repertory of communicative targets established by the Junior Certificate programme. The communicative skills acquired in the junior cycle will be maintained and continually reactivated during the senior cycle.
The objectives specified in this section relate to:
- practical challenges that might be faced by the learner when operating in the target language community for example
- meeting and getting to know people and maintaining social relations
- coping with travel and transport
- buying goods and services
- dealing with emergencies
- activities and discussion that are likely to take place through the target language in the classroom for example
- understanding, seeking and giving information about climate and weather
- understanding, expressing feelings and emotions
- engaging in discussion
- passing on messages
- Language Awareness
Aspects of the junior cycle syllabus referring to the development of learners’ language awareness are further developed in the Leaving Certificate syllabus
The objectives specified in this section relate to:
- raising the learner’s awareness about the workings of the target language
- raising awareness abut the learner’s own encounter with the language
- fostering effective use of the language
- developing awareness of relevant aspects of the mother tongue and other languages known to the learner.
- Cultural Awareness
Aspects of the junior cycle syllabus referring to the development of learners’ cultural awareness are further developed in the Leaving Certificate syllabus. The objectives in this section should contribute to cultural and intercultural education generally The focus is on
- the target language community and
- its relationship to Ireland and the Irish way of life.
Issues referred to go beyond cultural divisions.
The objectives specified in this section relate to
- learning in the target language about the present-day culture associated with the target language
- reading modern literary texts in the target language
- describing and discussing everyday life in the target language community
- understanding, describing and discussing aspects of the relations between the target language community and Ireland
- understanding, describing and discussing in general terms issues that transcend cultural divisions.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of a written examination at two levels, Ordinary level and Higher level. There is also an aural and an oral examination at both levels.
Documentation
Leaving Certificate French Syllabus
Related links
State Examinations Commission
Department of Education and Science
French Teachers’ Association
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French Taster Class in Ramsgrange NS
May 19, 2016 | Rachel O' Connor5 TY students went down to our local primary school in Ramsgrange today to give the 5th and 6th class pupils a French taster class. French is a subject that most of them will take on next year in secondary … Read More
French Cafe!
May 18, 2016 | Rachel O' Connor2nd year students organised a French café on Thursday afternoon. We set up the room café style, had a menu, music to create the mood and even a moustachioed waiter! Students tried baguette, pains au chocolat, Brie, Camembert, quiche and pâté … Read More
2nd Years – 2nd in National French Embassy Comp!
March 15, 2016 | Rachel O' ConnorVideo (2)
Click on link to see our brilliant 2nd years who came 2nd in French Singing contest!!!! Well done and to their teacher Ms. Curtis Jones!!!!!
2nd year French singing competition My wonderful second year French class has entered … Read More
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May 13, 2015 | Rachel O' Connor1st Years has their annual French Breakfast today organised by Alice Drome our French Assistant!