Leaving Cert French 2021 Exam - Tips, Advice and Guidance

The 2021 Leaving Certificate French exam has three sections: reading, writing, and listening. There are no changes to the listening comprehension. For reading, students only need to answer one comprehension this year, though answering both is advised as the higher score will count. The writing section requires two questions: one compulsory (from options A, B, or C) and one other from questions two to six. The first written piece is worth 40 marks, and the second is worth 30 marks. The listening section's marks ratio to other components remains the same as previous years.

Students should allocate 30 minutes for the first reading comprehension, 30 minutes for the first written piece, and 30 minutes for the second written piece. This totals 1 hour and 30 minutes, leaving an additional hour to work on a second reading comprehension, review written sections, or even attempt another written piece. The key is to utilize the extra time effectively for better grades.

For online marking, use black or blue pen and avoid gel pens. Do not use correction fluid; simply cross out errors and continue writing. Ensure all responses are within the provided spaces on the examination paper or answer booklet, as anything in margins or outside designated areas may not be seen by examiners.

Reading comprehensions are worth 60 marks, and about 30 minutes should be spent on them. Start by reading question 6 (asked in English) and the subtitle for context. Answer all questions, even if uncertain. Highlight question words to understand the requirements, and answer French questions in French and English questions in English. Review key question words and grammatical terms before the exam.

Opinion pieces should have a 2-3 sentence introduction, 2-3 detailed points, a possible solution (if applicable), and a 2-3 sentence conclusion that refers back to the question. Use link words and expressions. Before writing, list opinion piece vocabulary, tenses you can use, and topic-specific vocabulary. Create a plan in English or French, write the piece, and then edit it.

Be clear, concise, and avoid vagueness or ambiguity. Stay focused on the question and do not waffle with irrelevant material. Prepare a wide range of topics and associated vocabulary to be ready for various questions.

Reading is 60 marks (answer one comprehension). Writing consists of two pieces (40 and 30 marks). The listening exam (Oral) takes place after reading and writing, lasting about 40 minutes. Allocate 30 minutes per section to leave an hour for review or tackling a second reading comprehension. Maximize your advantage by making lists of vocabulary, tenses, and topic-specific terms, then plan and write. Good luck!