Arklow CBS

Non Curricular Languages Accredited Grades 2021

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Department of Education

Dear Candidate,

You are receiving this letter because you have registered for a Non-Curricular Language (NCL) on the Candidate Self-Service Portal (CSSP) for the Leaving Certificate examinations in June 2021.

The Leaving Certificate non-curricular languages are:

Bulgarian Finnish Polish
Croatian Hungarian Portuguese
Czech Latvian Romanian
Danish Lithuanian Slovakian
Dutch Maltese Slovenian
Estonian Modern Greek Swedish

As a consequence of the particular context of non-curricular languages in the Leaving Certificate, special arrangements are being put in place for all students in this category to access an Accredited Grade.

These arrangements recognise:

  • that the Leaving Certificate examinations in these subjects are primarily designed for students for whom these languages are heritage/home languages
  • that students taking the examinations are not required to study any prescribed curriculum but instead rely on their general competence in their heritage/home language
  • that students taking these subjects are unlikely to, or may not, have any consistent records or evidence of their learning on which Accredited Grades could be based
  • that very few registered teachers of these languages are available in the Irish educational system
  • that Accredited Grades for these subjects should be made available to as many students as possible, based on reliable evidence.

Recognising the above considerations, students who are registered for a non-curricular language in Leaving Certificate 2021 will be provided with an opportunity to complete a written language Proficiency Assessment organised and administrated by the Department of Education. If you choose not to complete the written language Proficiency Assessment, the only route to a grade in a non-curricular language is by taking the relevant examination in June.

This purpose of this letter is to set out the specific arrangements for the Proficiency Assessment which will take place on the 8th May 2021. The written Proficiency Assessment is scheduled for 90 minutes duration and will commence at 2.00pm and conclude at 3.30pm. Please inform the Principal of the school where you intend to sit the Proficiency Assessment on the 8th May at 2pm. The school will already have received some information about the Proficiency Assessment

WARNING TO ALL NCL CANDIDATES:

Unless, you have applied for an Accredited Grade in your NCL language on the Candidate Self-Service Portal (CSSP), you will not receive an Accredited Grade even where you have completed the Proficiency Assessment. Therefore, you must, if you have not already done so, register for an Accredited Grade in your NCL during the period when the Candidate Self-Service Portal (CSSP) reopens between April 27 and 30 April 2021.

As this is a written proficiency assessment, you will be required to bring writing implements which may be required for the completion of a written assessment. An answer booklet will be provided to you on the day, and if additional paper is required, it must be securely attached to the answer booklet provided. Students will be required to write their six-digit Leaving Certificate examination number on the front cover of the answer booklet, so you are asked to ensure you have this number available to you on the day of the proficiency assessment.

The written proficiency assessment is intended to be similar in format to in-class assessments that teachers might use in other subjects to inform their estimated marks for students. It is an opportunity for candidates to display their skill and fluency in their heritage/home language. The completion of the proficiency assessment will provide subject assessors with an evidence base for assigning an estimated mark.

When answering in the Proficiency Assessment, you are encouraged to make sure that:

  • You show that you understand the questions fully and that your answering is accurate and fluent
  • Your answers focus quickly and clearly on the task set
  • Your points are well developed and sequenced and lead to a strong conclusion
  • Your personal responses are clearly and persuasively stated and developed
  • Your arguments are presented in a coherent and forceful way and display keen insight.

Completed assessments will be returned to the Department of Education. The level of skill exhibited in the proficiency assessment will be used to inform an Accredited Grade in your non-curricular language.

Enquire
Contact
Arklow CBS,
Coolgreaney Rd,
Arklow,
Co. Wicklow,
Y14 RV04

0402 32 564


Location
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