Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that junior certificate students completing the Irish listening section of the examination only hear the listening extracts twice in view of the fact that Irish is a second language for children in T2 schools and considering that students hear the listening extract three times in the exam for other modern languages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33255/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

337. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that there is no oral assessment of the Irish language included in the junior certificate exam considering that the oral exam counts for 40% in the leaving certificate thereby resulting in a disconnect between those exams for students; if she has any plans to introduce an oral assessment of Irish for the junior certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33256/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The development of students’ oral language skills is to the fore in the new specifications for Irish as part of the Framework for Junior Cycle.

The previous oral examination in the Junior Certificate was optional and was taken by approximately 40% of students, and was generally assessed by their teachers. The new assessment arrangements under the Framework for Junior Cycle on the other hand require all students to engage in an assessment of their oral skills through Classroom Based Assessment. This gives a greater opportunity for allstudents to develop and enhance their oral language proficiency skills over the three years of Junior Cycle and to foster their ability to use the Irish language.

With effect since 2017, as part of the Framework for Junior Cycle, Junior Cycle provision for Irish in post-primary schools and settings comprises two new specifications. The L1 (Language 1, in Irish, Teanga 1) specification is targeted at students in Irish-medium schools and students in English-medium schools who learn one or more subjects (apart from Irish) through the medium of Irish. The L2 (Language 2, Teanga 2) specification is targeted at other students in English-medium schools. 

The new specifications (both L1 and L2) have a strong emphasis on oral language. This is particularly highlighted in the main strand of the specifications – Communicative Competence. This strand places an enhanced emphasis on Irish as the language of learning and communication in classrooms as well as an emphasis on the skills required to communicate effectively with other users of the language. Communication, opportunities for use and interaction are central to classroom tasks. 

The assessment of these skills forms an integral component of the overall language learning experience and occurs in a number of ways. As well as the completion of tasks where students use and demonstrate their oral language skills to achieve specific learning outcomes, their oral language skills are also formally assessed through the two new Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). The second Classroom-Based Assessment in particular is entirely based on students’ oral language competence. The CBA is linked to ongoing classroom exchanges and represents a more authentic reflection of students’ interests and competence levels in Irish. Importantly, the oral skills of all students are now assessed in classroom-based assessments and formally reported upon in each students’ Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.  Unlike the previous reporting format in which candidates receive one overall grade based on their achievement in Irish in the Junior Certificate, whether they undertake the optional oral or not, the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement allows students’ achievement in the CBAs to be recorded independently of the result in the state-certified examination.

These new arrangements provide a greater opportunity for students to develop their oral language proficiency skills. 

My Department remains committed to encouraging the use of spoken Irish.  The development of the new curriculum specifications for Irish at Junior Cycle was informed by research and extensive consultation with the education partners including practising teachers and students. Extensive continuing professional development (CPD) provided to teachers is complemented by a range of other supports. The new approach gives better recognition to the development of students’ oral competence, including their ability to speak Irish, over the three-years of Junior Cycle.

As is the case with all of the specifications developed under the Junior Cycle Framework, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specification by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications. In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct and early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration. 

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

338. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has plans to make the literature section of the new junior certificate specification more student friendly particularly as critical analysis is not required of the students in other modern language examinations at that level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33259/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students currently taking Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. 

As part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum redevelopment, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specifications by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications. In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct and early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration. 

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

339. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is reasonable that students in the new Junior Certificate Irish exam are being asked to answer 15 questions at higher level or 11 questions at ordinary level in two hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33260/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

340. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason in relation to the JCT training for Irish when teachers asked for guidance on exams, facilitators were unable to offer assistance or advice and there was no communication with the State Examinations Commission or those involved in setting the papers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33261/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is a support service of my Department whose remit is the provision of an extensive programme of continuing professional development (CPD) to support the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle, subject specifications and associated teaching, learning, assessment, and reporting practices. The programme includes whole staff CPD, school leader CPD and subject specific CPD for teachers.

The JCT Gaeilge Team works and liaises with all education stakeholders and partners using established protocols and organisational structures, including the State Examinations Commission, in relation to teaching learning, reporting and assessment practices envisioned in the Framework. This includes, but is not limited to, the design of CPD, the integrated nature of the Learning Outcomes in the Gaeilge specification, and associated messages regarding ongoing assessment, classroom-based assessment, and the final assessment.

When working to support teachers with the enactment of the specification and associated assessment moments (including the final assessment), Advisers communicate the importance of the integrated approach to using Learning Outcomes for assessment, and the structure and format of the paper(s) as specified by the State Examinations Commission. Advisers also offer other exam related support, guidance and information, but are careful not to go beyond their remit. The State Examinations Commission is a separate body to Junior Cycle for Teachers whose remit includes the development, design, administration and assessment of the final assessment for Junior Cycle Gaeilge. In instances where a teacher’s query falls within the remit of the State Examinations Commission, teachers are given the information they require to pursue their query with SEC. The JCT Gaeilge Team, also communicates teacher queries, observations and concerns to the State Examinations Commission on an ongoing basis.

Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students currently taking Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. 

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the upset that the new Junior Certificate specification for Irish has caused to students despite the fact that there has been an increased focus on wellbeing in the new junior certificate programme but Irish is cited to be causing stress and anxiety to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33262/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the changes to the junior certificate Irish have been detrimental to the teaching and learning experience in Irish classrooms; the plans has she to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.

Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students currently taking Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. 

As part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum redevelopment, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specifications by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications. In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct and early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration. 

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that an adequate amount of sample papers for the new junior certificate Irish exam were not made available to teachers and students, considering that the one paper which was made available by the SEC was not in line with the actual 2022 exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33264/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the person or body that are the people making the decisions on the teaching of Irish in T2 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33265/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is the role of the NCCA to advise the Minister for Education in matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects that are part of the curriculum. It participates in international networks, engages in research, prepares discussion papers and consultation papers, engages in development work with schools, provides policy advice, and prepares specifications for approval by my Department. Consultation with stakeholders is a key part of its work. 

Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students who have just this past fortnight taken Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. 

As part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum redevelopment, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specifications by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications.

In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct an early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration.