Leaving Certificate French builds on the skills developed during the Junior Cycle, aiming to deepen students’ ability to communicate confidently and accurately in French. The course focuses on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with an emphasis on real-life language use, current topics, and intercultural awareness. Students engage with authentic texts, audio materials, and discussions on themes such as family, education, technology, culture, and global issues.
Assessment in Leaving Certificate French is structured to reflect students’ overall language competence and is divided into four key components:
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Oral Examination (25%)
Conducted in the weeks before the written exam, this 12–15 minute interview assesses students' spoken French through conversation, role-plays, and discussion of prepared topics.
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Aural (Listening) Comprehension (20%)
This section tests students' ability to understand spoken French across a range of accents and topics, using recordings of conversations, interviews, and announcements.
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Reading Comprehension (30%)
Students read a variety of texts—such as newspaper articles, blog entries, and opinion pieces—and answer questions to demonstrate understanding, vocabulary knowledge, and the ability to interpret meaning.
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Written Expression (25%)
Students write in French on various topics, including opinion pieces, diary entries, letters, and emails. This section evaluates grammar, structure, vocabulary, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and appropriately.
The course supports students who wish to pursue language studies, travel, or work in French-speaking environments, while also developing lifelong skills in communication and global citizenship.