Teachers broadly welcome second Leaving Cert English paper

Teachers have broadly welcomed the second English paper, saying it offered good choices and tested student understanding of the studied texts.

Paul McCormack, an English teacher at the Institute of Education, said the higher-level paper was designed to reward students who have worked hard on their analytical, planning and critical thinking skills.

Kate Barry, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy, Co Cork, said changes to the paper meant students had to prepare only four poets in depth – rather than five, as is usually the case – in order to be guaranteed at least one suitable question on the higher paper.

Irish poets Brendan Kennelly and WB Yeats appeared on this year’s paper alongside Adrienne Rich, Emily Dickinson and William Wordsworth.

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“The wording of one or two of these questions required careful thought and consideration,” said Mr McCormack.

“In particular, the wording of the Yeats question, which asked students to comment on the lessons Yeats learned from history, myth and legend, was tough.

“The omission of a question on DH Lawrence, the only poet on the course who had not already been examined in the last three years, was a disappointment.”

Ms Barry said many of the questions were quite specific and this was a welcome development.

“The questions deal with aspects that are unique to each text, such as Nora’s back story in [Henrik Ibsen’s] A Doll’s House, and the use of letters as a narrative device in [Mary Shelley’s] Frankenstein.

“This is a change from recent years where the questions have been the same with only the names of texts/characters replaced, and is definitely an improvement as it means candidates need to have an intimate understanding of the studied text in order to answer well,” Ms Barry said.

Both teachers said most students would have answered a question on Shakespeare’s Othello.

Earlier yesterday, engineering students sat an “interesting and topical paper” that had a particular focus on sustainability, teachers have said.

Donal Cremin, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, Co Kerry, said many of the questions challenged student awareness of their surroundings and the world they live in.

“There were a variety of engineering principles and procedures [covered in questions that addressed] renewable energy, electric scooters, cycling helmets, mobile phone covers and screens, with the iconic Ha’penny Bridge also featuring in a very modern paper,” Mr Cremin said.

Michael Martin, TUI subject representative and a teacher at Castleblayney College in Monaghan, pointed out that higher-level students had already completed 50 per cent of their assessment through a practical exam and a project, each of which was worth 25 per cent.

“Students this year had to answer five out of nine questions, which is one less than in previous years,” Mr Martin said.

Try this one at home:

– English paper two, higher level

(i) “Various aspects of the relationship between Iago and Emilia in Shakespeare’s play, Othello, are both fascinating and disturbing.” Discuss the reasons why you agree or disagree with the above statement. Develop your discussion with reference to the text.