French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

 French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

10 YEARS OF LEAVING CERT WRITTEN PIECES

• I know that a lot of you have been asking for predictions for the leaving cert, and the honest truth is that teachers are in as much of the dark as you are. I will therefore never try to predict what will be on the paper. This document looks at French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018 but is useful for any year.

WRITTEN SECTION

• The written section involves four questions, each containing an (a) or (b) choice. Question 1 is compulsory, and you have to do two more out of a possible choice of six. Remember that you cannot answer both (a) and (b) from the same question.

WRITING STYLES

There are a number of written tasks on the paper, which relate to differing writing styles.

1. Opinion pieces – Factual writing.
2. Diary entries – Personal. informal pieces of writing.
3. Letters/e-mails/notes – Students use a set format to answer these.
4. Récit or narrative writing – Students use personal, descriptive writing.

OPINION PIECES – RULE OF FIVE

I have been teaching French in Ireland for almost 20 years, and was a state examiner for a good number of years. Students do consistently well when they follow a structure in writing. For French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018 for opinion pieces, I advise that there is:

1. Introduction: General statement about the topic up for discussion.
2. Your own point: of view stating whether or not you are in agreement, and demonstrate using your point.
3. Counter argument: give a counter argument to allow for balance in the opinion piece.
4. Personal statement: about the topic reinforcing your initial argument (point 2.)
5. Concluding statement: which should mirror, your general statement or introductory point.

TOPICS THAT CAME UP IN THE WRITTEN SECTION

Students will always do well if they keep referring to the question and not go off the point, as this leads to waffle and lack of coherence. You will find a handy grid, showing you what topics came up in the written section over the last ten years, with a guide to the questions below.

STATE EXAMINATIONS COMMISSION

While it is true that the State Examinations Commission will do exactly as they feel appropriate as regards the setting of the exams, they are not immune to current events and what is happening in the world. They have frequently written questions which relate to world events, and issues that affect young people. When I am teaching French, I use a topic-based approach. As with most topics, cross-over does occur. Here, we will look at the main topics, and then ascertain what might be a possibility, and what has come up in the past.

THEMES OR TOPICS

We have picked 20 themes or topics, and studied the trends of the last 10 years to help you focus on what is important.

1. Tourism/Holidays
2. Celebrities/Fame
3. Shopping & Fashion
4. Economy
5. Education
6. Sport
7. Family & Friendship
8. Race/Culture
9. Languages
10. History
11. Health
12. Random topics
13. Social Problems
14. Technology
15. Social Media
16. Equality & Politics
17. War & Conflict
18. Moral Issues
19. Music & Leisure
20. Crime & Violence.

• TOURISM/HOLIDAYS

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Tourism / holidays has been a very popular topic, which has made an appearance 6 times in the last 10 years. It is the type of topic that students find easy to write about. The topic of Tourism appeared in both 2017 and 2016.  A possible topic might be the rising popularity of Air B & B and “couch-surfing” as a cheaper type of holiday.

What questions have already been asked on this topic?

Tourism/ Holidays

2017 : Question came up about tourism in Ireland. Why are tourists coming to Ireland?

2016 : Students were asked to write a diary entry about a disastrous camping holiday. In 2012, students were given a question about holidaying in Ireland, and that there was no need to go abroad.

2011 : Students were asked to write an e-mail about a person visiting Ireland, and what they might do there.

2010 : There was an email about organising a trip to France for a wedding.

2008 : Students were asked to write about a particular area in Ireland, which evokes happy memories, and why they chose it.

2008 : Students had to write about breaking their leg at the start of the summer holidays.

 

• CELEBRITY/FAME LINKED TO SHOPPING AND FASHION

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Celebrities have become more and more accessible with the advent of social media. We can now literally follow their lives on a daily basis, and they in turn continue to provide snippets of their day to day activities. Perhaps there might be a question on how celebrities or social media influencers dictate fashion or how their behaviour is to be shunned or emulated (Conor McGregor / Katie Taylor / Kylie Jenner etc..) If a question is posed about celebrities, there will be a natural cross-over into social media. I would therefore link celebrity/fame with social media and shopping/fashion.

What questions have already been asked on this topic?

Celebrity /Fame

2017 : This was a diary entry . It was about a chance encounter with a famous singer/actor, and what you said to them.

2013 : There was a question on how celebrities influenced young people.

Shopping/ Fashion

2017 :  This was about on-line shopping (advantages/Disadvantages)

2014 : Students were asked to write about shopping as a social activity among young people.

2010 : Students were asked to discuss how fashion was as important for boys as girls.

 

• ECONOMY

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

The economy has always featured strongly on the leaving cert French paper. If we look at the topic of the economy, we see that Brexit was on the paper in 2017, so is unlikely to come around again. However the government’s failure to accommodate 1000’s of homeless people is both a social and economic issue, so homelessness may be a contender on the paper. From a student’s perspective getting into university is a great achievement, but finding accommodation is almost impossible, and extremely costly.

A possible question on homelessness might also exploit this viewpoint. This type of question would of course fall into both education and social issues, as well as economy. The rise of the bitcoin or cyber-currency might also be a one to watch.

What questions have already been asked on this topic?

Economy

2017 : There was a question about the consequences of Brexit for Ireland.

2016 : Students were asked to write a formal letter of motivation for a job.

2015 : Students were asked to write about young people having a part-time job, and understanding the value of money.

2013 : There was a question on how getting a degree in university was necessary to succeeding in the world of work.

2012 : There was a diary entry about getting a part-time job, but finding the first day difficult and tiring.

2010 : Students were asked to write about emigration as a solution for young people in Ireland today.

2008 : Students were asked whether or not diplomas were necessary to do well in life.

 

• EDUCATION

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Education as a topic has appeared 6 times in the last 10 years. It is one of the most important topics, as it absolutely central to the lives of students, parents, teachers and the wider community. If there was a question on education, it might be concerning the new points system, PE as an examinable subject, Well-being in schools, the difficulty involved in finding university accommodation or challenging issues in school.

What questions have already been asked on this topic?

Education:

2017 : Students described a funny incident at school or sent an e-mail telling someone about what they wanted to do at university.

2016 : Question about maths and science versus foreign languages.

2015 : Students were asked to write a diary entry about a new school uniform.

2013 : There was a question on how getting a degree in university was necessary to succeeding in the world of work.

2009 : Students were asked to write about their views on learning about literature at school.

2008 : Students were asked whether or not diplomas were necessary to do well in life.

2008 : Students were asked to write a note to their French teacher requesting permission to have a small party for their last French class.

 

• SPORT

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

This is also a very popular topic with its appearance in 5 out of the last 10 years. Sport is always topical, and there is an awful lot of things that can be asked about the topic of sport. You may be asked about sporting heroes, and their influence on young people. As already mentioned under Education, the introduction of PE as a leaving cert subject, could be asked as a sporting question. The World Cup kicks off in a couple of weeks and might be the subject of a question.

Also bear in mind the recent success of Ireland in Rugby and its failed bid for 2023.  Doping in Sport has featured in the news a lot, and this practice has been strongly condemned, especially in relation to Olympic and cycling athletes.

What questions have already been asked on this topic?

Sport

2017 : Students wrote female representation in Sport.

2014 : Students wrote about a sporting personality that they admire.

2012 : Students wrote sports programmes on the television.

2011 : Question about referees in sport, and their role.

2009 : Students wrote about what sport represents for them.

 

• FAMILY & FRIENDSHIP

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

The conflict between generations, as well as the importance of friendship, have appeared as questions in the leaving cert French exam. When looking at the possibility of this topic appearing, students will be able to draw on their oral work preparation, and the topic will rely on personal response over factual information.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Family & Friendship

2016 : Students wrote about the disadvantages and advantages about being an only child versus having siblings.

2014 : Question on young people and freedom.

2013 : Question on the importance of friendship

2009 : Students wrote a diary entry about an argument that they had with their best friend. In 2009, students wrote about having to move house with their family, and leave their friends.

 

• RACE & CULTURE/LANGUAGES

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Language and culture has been a feature of questions in the French leaving cert exam in recent years.

Racism was not specifically asked in the exam, but the 2016 question on multiculturalism lent itself to exploiting material about racism, and incorporating it into an answer. In America there is a huge movement called “Black Lives Matter”. This could be seen from the point of view of race/violence or discrimination/equality.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Race & Culture/Languages

2016 : Students wrote about Ireland as a multi-cultural country, and how different cultures and traditions bring a lot to a country.

2015 : Students wrote about France and studying French.

2012 : Students wrote an email about their experience of learning Irish as a language.

2009 : Students wrote about their views on learning about literature at school.

2008 : Students expressed their views on eating together as a family & traditions.

 

• HISTORY

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

In 2016, a question on the significance of the 1916 Rising was on the paper. If we look at this year, we might consider the 50^th anniversary of the Strikes in France, the centenary of the ending of World War I, the 100^th anniversary of Women’s right to vote. There may be other significant dates that stand out for you.

Students answered the following on this topic.

History

2016 : Students wrote about the significance of the 1916 Rising.

2013 : Question on the Gathering and the Irish diaspora.

 

• HEALTH

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

A lot of students are asking about mental health as a possible question. I really cannot see that the examiners would put students in a particular situation, especially if they have personal experience of this. On the 1^st of May, Ireland introduced a tax on sodas, and health will always be a strong contender in the French exam.

There may also be a reference to electronic cigarettes, and this would be a cross-over topic into the social problem of smoking. There has been a huge emphasis on student well-being in schools, so maybe a question might be on the paper with regard to how schools are more than an academic institution, but have a caring role also. (obvious cross-over to the topic of education). In 2018, many schools in Ireland will be offering PE as a leaving cert subject. This topic affords students the opportunity to write about subject choice, school facilities, sport and health.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Health

2017 : Students wrote about obesity.

2014 : Students wrote about smoking and banning cigarettes.

2013 : Students wrote about the Horse-meat scandal in Ireland.

2011 : Question on Binge-drinking.

2010 : Question on Fast-food and its place in our diet.

 

• RANDOM TOPICS

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

The reason most students find French difficult is because it is extremely difficult to ascertain what will be on the paper. It is not like biology or history, where you cover a certain course. Language learning is organic, and is therefore open all topics. If you look at the following list, you will see that the topics do not follow any particular pattern, and they are as random as can be. The important thing to remember is that you may have one or two random topics on a paper, but that still leaves you with about 6, which fall into a specific category.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Random Topic

2016 : Students wrote about an interesting e-mail they received.

2015 : Students wrote a story about a noise in the middle of the night.

2014 : Students wrote a diary entry about getting a tattoo.

2013 : Students wrote about a real or imagined experience of hitch-hiking.

Also in 2013 : The diary was about organising a party in your house when your parents were away.

Again in 2013 : Students wrote a message about an accident which happened, and what they did.

2012 : Students wrote about the reasons young people have to be happy in Ireland.

2012 : Students wrote a real or imagined story about a surprise phone call.

2011 : Question on teenagers and their dream of being independent.

2011 : The diary entry was about winning money on the National Lottery.

2010 : Students wrote a real or imagined story about sitting their driving test in Ireland.

Also in 2010 : The diary was about having to cancel a party and stay at home for New Year’s Eve with your parents due to bad weather.

Again in 2010 :  There was an email about organising a trip to France for a wedding.

2009 : Students wrote about their lives 10 years from now.

2008 : Students wrote about silence in a noisy world.

 

• SOCIAL PROBLEMS

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Every year, students hope that certain topics such as alcohol, smoking and drug abuse make an appearance. Interestingly enough, these topics are quite rare. Smoking came up in 2014. Drinking came up in 2011, and there hasn’t been anything on Drug abuse in the last 10 years. I personally think that the world’s problems are a lot more widespread and there is a lot more to choose from. If I were to advise on social problems, I would have to mention Homelessness as a problem, even-though it came up in 2015. I think that the migrant issue is still very much a social issue, as is the problem of rising crime and gun control.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Social Problems

2015 : Students wrote about Homelessness.

2014 : Students wrote about smoking and banning cigarettes.

2012 : Students wrote about protesting as an efficient way of fighting against injustice or political decisions.

2011 : Question on Binge-drinking.

2011 : There was a question about rising crime in Ireland, and whether there were any solutions to this problem.

2010 :Students wrote about emigration as a solution for young people in Ireland today.

 

• TECHNOLOGY

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Technology is moving at an unprecedented rate, and it is difficult to keep up with the latest “must-have” gadgets. The importance of mobile phones to young people is of course important, and there was a question on this in 2015. There might be a question on how photography has changed with the new “selfie” craze or how dependent we have become on technology. In last years’ paper, there was a question on “On-line Shopping” which integrated both technology and shopping.

There may also be a question on how technology is helping our world.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Technology

2015 : Students wrote about the fear of leaving their mobile phones down.

2014 : Students wrote about tablets in class.

2009 : Students wrote about peoples’ dependence on the internet.

 

• SOCIAL MEDIA

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Social media has become so important in the lives of young people in the last number of years. There was a question on mobile phones in 2015, but nothing specifically about social media since 2011. Snapchat and Instagram have taken over from Facebook as the medium of choice for young people. Perhaps a question could centre on how communication between young people has changed and has become more visual, with snaps and photos on instagram.

Another facet of social media is of course the constant threat of Cyber-bullying or website hacking.

Social media

2011 : Students wr0te about what they thought about social networks such as Facebook or Twitter.

 

• EQUALITY & POLITICS

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Women in Ireland In 1918, got the right to vote. In May, 2018, France commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the “May 1968” strikes which crippled France economically and changed France’s political landscape. In May, 2018, Ireland voted on the 8^th amendment.

There may be a general question on gender equality or equality in the work-place, as this has been a consistent thread with the Weinstein and Me Too movement in the last year.

Students answered the following on this topic.

Equality & Politics

2015 : Students wrote about the right to vote.

2014 : Students discussed the issue of equality between men and women.

2012 : Students wrote about protesting as an efficient way of fighting against injustice or political decisions.

2008 : Students wrote about rights and responsibilities concerning voting.

2008 : Students wrote about whether women do more work than men in the home.

 

• WAR & CONFLICT

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

There are wars and conflicts taking place all over the world, most notably in the Middle East. In 2015, there was a general question on conflict, but perhaps this year, attention will turn to relations between Russia and Europe, or America and North Korea.

Students answered the following question

War & Conflict

2015 : Students wrote about the growing number of conflicts, wars and acts of terrorism in the world.

 

• MORAL ISSUES

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Moral issues have not really taken centre stage in the French exam over the last ten years, but there have been questions relating to moral issues in 3 of the 10 years. I think that many issues such as social problems and environmental issues have a moral dimension. It is up to the individual student to write from their own point of view and experience. When writing an opinion piece, students are usually for or against a certain statement, and more often than not, this viewpoint has a moral agenda attached to it.

Students answered the following questions.

Moral issues

2014 : Students wrote about the treatment of animals.

2011 : Students wrote about the place of Religion in young peoples’ lives.

2010 : Students wrote about volunteer work, and its influence on peoples’ lives.

 

• CRIME & VIOLENCE

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

There can be no doubt but that crime is on the rise both in Ireland and abroad. There is an on-going drugs feud in Dublin, which has already claimed many lives. In America, there have been more and more mass shootings, which puts a huge question mark over gun control and access to weaponry. In Ireland, our police force remains primarily an un-armed unit, but more and more people are calling for the Gardai to carry firearms. Students may possibly write about these topics. Perhaps a question on the banality of violence through video games such as GTA (Grand Theft Auto)  or Call of Duty could also be a possible topic.

Students answered the following question on this topic. 

Crime & Violence

2011 : There was a question about rising crime in Ireland, and whether there were any solutions to this problem.

 

• MUSIC & LEISURE

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

Music and leisure activities prove popular when they do appear on the paper. Students draw from personal experience, and use their vocabulary from the oral part of the exam. When these questions appear, they are very much accessible to students.

Students answered these questions on this topic.

Music & Leisure

2012 : The Exam Commission asked to write whether music concerts were a great experience or a waste of money.

2009 : The Exam Commission asked Students to write an email about their attendance at a music festival in France.

 

• ENVIRONMENT

  • French Leaving Cert Predictions 2018

In October 2017, Storm Ophelia battered Ireland, and the Beast from the East in early March was another form of extreme weather. Bear in mind that the environment has not appeared as an opinion piece since 2009. There has been a lot of talk globally about the environment, and what we are doing to save our oceans (tax on single-use plastic).

Students may think about Trump’s view on global warming and his denial of its existence. There has been a lot of talk about electric cars as a viable option to combustion vehicles. Again, the environment is a much talked about possibility for this year’s paper.

This is one of the questions that the exam Commission asked students to write about.

Environment

2009 : This year the exam commission asked students to write about whether or not they considered global warming to be a serious problem.

 

I hope that you find this guide and analysis useful, and would be grateful if you would share this with others.

Bon courage pour les examens,

Liz

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