Leaving Certificate English builds on the aims of Junior Cycle English and encourages the further development and expansion of the skills of communication, creativity, aesthetic appreciation and critical thinking. These skills will enable students to interpret, compose, discriminate, analyse and evaluate a range of material so that they can be independent learners who can flourish in the world beyond school in a range of contexts with fluency and confidence.
It also invites students into rich experiences with language so that they become fluent and thoughtful users of English and more aware of its significance in their lives. It develops a range of literacy and oral skills in a variety of areas, personal, social, and cultural. Students develop a wide range of skills and concepts. These will allow them to interpret and enjoy a range of material so that they become independent learners who can operate independently in the world beyond the school.
As part of their study of English every effort is made to take students to see a professional theatre production of their studied drama as well as any other suitable events.
We encourage our students to not only be avid readers but to read a wide variety of texts.
Students must complete two papers at the end of the Leaving Certificate cycle. Each paper is worth 200 marks.
Paper I (200 marks)
- Comprehension A: Students must demonstrate clear understanding of the five genres of language studied: Narration, Information, Argument, Persuasion and Aesthetic.
- Comprehension B: Students must employ a variety of language styles to complete short compositions/writing tasks illustrating their ability to write in the genres listed above.
- Composition: Students must complete a long essay in their language genre of choice from a selection that could include a speech/talk, article, short story, personal narrative, discursive essay, etc.
Paper II (200 marks)
- Single Text: Students must study one literary text on its own. This is usually a Shakespearean text.
- Comparative Study: Students complete a comparative analysis of three texts, which can be different genres, viewed through different modes like theme/issue, cultural context, literary genre, or general vision and viewpoint.
- Poetry: Students study a selection of prescribed poets. This entails an in-depth study of five to six poems by each poet.
- Unseen Poetry: A component assesses the ability to read and understand unfamiliar poetry.