Perfect clarity but dialect offputting in Irish aural

Junior Certificate Irish - Paper 1: The Irish listening test was heralded a success as Junior Certificate students were treated to their first aural on CD. The cassette was retired last year after complaints about audio quality.

The clarity of yesterday's recording was "perfect" according to one student, although another complained that the Northern dialect used was offputting.

Higher level students expressed satisfaction with the written paper, which offered an interesting selection of composition topics. Students were asked to discuss the importance of music or to debate the topic that Manchester United is the greatest football club in the world. "These were great options for students, many of whom would have prepared topics on their celebrity heroes," said TUI subject representative Bernadette Nic Gearailt.

"The topics throughout the paper were very relevant to the interests of the age group."

Yvonne O'Toole of Holy Faith Clontarf did not agree. "The essay section was very difficult for the age group - some of these titles would have been tough even for a Leaving Certificate student," she said. "It was ridiculous to have two essays on the subject of education in one section."

Students were asked whether the Irish education system was outdated in one question and then invited to discuss school disciplines in another.

Ms O'Toole went on to criticise "abstract" titles such as An Séasúr is Fearr Liom (My Favourite Season) and Sláinte Mhaith (Good Health). "The students have to write about a page and a half for this section. Very few Junior Certificate students would have the vocabulary to write at length on subjects as vague as these. They need more guidance from the questions."

Blaithin Ní Liathain, also of the TUI, regarded the ordinary level paper as old-fashioned in tone. "The themes of the two comprehension pieces would not have drawn the interest of teenagers," said Ms Ni Liathain, who teaches in Kylemore College. "The first piece was about a ship and the second was about Pierse Brosnan. He's old hat."

Paper 2 is held this morning.