Junior Cycle Italian: A paper that reflected modern classroom practices

Junior Cycle students and teachers have reacted positively to the junior cycle common level paper, calling it fair and approachable.

Ilaria Dore, a teacher at Claregalway College, said that the paper was fair, but that it was tricky for many teachers to complete the course as a result of lockdowns and, in some parts of the country, poor quality broadband.

Mairéad Ní Droisceoil, ASTI spokesperson and a teacher at Coláiste and Phiarsaigh in Glanmire, Co Cork, agreed that the paper was fair and approachable.

“There were multiple choice questions and good use of images on a paper which reflects modern classroom practice and activities,” Ms Ní Droisceoil said.

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“What ultimately appeared on the paper matched the sample assessment items from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).”

Ms Dore commended the appearance of social media formats on the exam, rather than postcards and letter writing.

Ms Dore said that the use of images gave weaker students a good chance to answer the questions, but that other parts of the new common level paper may put students who are weaker at Italian at a disadvantage.

Ms Dore said that there is a need for a new Italian language textbook at junior level, as well as more opportunities to sit sample papers in advance of the main exam.

“Italian is a phonetic language - it spells as it sounds - so it can be a really good language subject for students with dyslexia,” Ms Dore added.

Try this one at home:

Junior Cycle Italian, common level

Write to your pen pal about the planned class trip to Italy. Answer the following questions in ITALIAN.  (Write a total of approximately 200 words) (a) Scrivi i tuoi dettagli personali (nome, età, personalità, famiglia ecc.).