JUNIOR CERT FRENCH: Ordinary-level Junior Cert students had a tough time of it yesterday, with problems arising in both the aurals and the written French exams.
Unlike the Leaving Cert, the Junior Cert aurals take place before the written exam and Ms Ann Weafer, teaching at St Thomas's Community College, Bray, Co Wicklow, said it was a rather unsettling start for many students.
"There was a lack of clarity and timing. The second section of the tape, Part B, was really quite fast. The material wasn't inordinately difficult but, given that it's a common-level tape, it should have been easier to listen to."
Ordinary-level students found the tapes particularly difficult, she said. "There's quite a substantial amount of material and there really should be a separate tape for ordinary-level students; it's too difficult to pitch one tape at both levels."
The written papers provided higher-level students with familiar and relatively predictable topics, such as signs and notices and extracts from a French TV guide - "the kind of things they have to cope with in class", Ms Weafer said.
Although the topics were fairly easy, the standard of French was exacting. "The level is quite high and does seem to be creeping up each year. The students are rising with it but I hope they'll put a cap on it at some stage."
Ordinary-level students were not so fortunate. After struggling through a difficult tape they were faced with a badly- presented written paper.
"The material was fine but it's such a shame that they insist on using stylised script instead of print in some of the questions.
"It was in marked contrast with the higher-level paper which was very clear," Ms Weafer said.
The legibility of questions can make a big difference when an ordinary level student attempts a question.
"They can just get so disheartened; it seems a little unfair to put them off with the lay-out."
Skoool.ie French expert Maria O'Meara said the ordinary level students in Ballinteer Community College also had some difficulties with the written papers.
"The reading comprehension was the same format as usual. Some students were stuck for vocabulary, but the format of Question 4 was considered poor, both in pictures and print."
