Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2017

Department of Education and Skills

State Examinations

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given consideration to introducing compulsory oral testing for junior certificate students who study a foreign language (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48864/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The new Junior Cycle specifications for Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and Gaeilge (for both Gaeilge as Language 1 and Language 2) were introduced in September 2017 for incoming first year students. The specifications provide for the sustained development of students’ oral language competence (spoken production and spoken interaction) throughout the three years of junior cycle.

The assessment of student’ oral language skills at Junior Cycle is incorporated into the two Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) in both Modern Foreign Languages and Gaeilge. This is reflective of the emphasis placed on the development of students’ oral language competence in the specifications. Both CBAs provide opportunities to assess students’ oral production and spoken interaction skills.

In the MFL specification, the first CBA, completed during their second year, involves students demonstrating their oral skills through a production or interaction. The second CBA, completed during students' third year of junior cycle, is the creation of a Language Portfolio. Throughout their junior cycle studies, students engage with and reflect on their language learning and develop and document their sociocultural awareness. The students choose three pieces of work from their compilation to submit for assessment.

For Gaeilge, CBA 1, carried out in second year, requires the completion of a portfolio in which one piece of text will be a sound/video piece. CBA 2, carried out in third year, is based entirely on students’ oral language competence, including spoken interaction.

With these changes, the assessment of oral language skills in Junior Cycle Modern Foreign Languages and Gaeilge will no longer be optional.

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