SUBJECT CHOICE

GUIDELINES First Years 2014/2015 &

Incoming First Years 2015/2016

Ms. Carmel Shannon

Guidance Counsellor

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDERThe Students interest in or liking for a subjectTheir aptitudes towards a subjectThe value of the subject for their

personal/academic developmentWhether or not it is necessary to keep options

openThe relevance of the subject for future

study/career options

SUBJECTS OFFERED Exam Subjects

Irish * English Maths History Geography Science Religious Education * CSPE

(* Unless officially exempted)

Non-Exam Subjects

SPHE Tutorial Physical Education

3 Optional Subjects:

Art French Home Economics Music Business Studies Metalwork Woodwork Technical Graphics

CHOOSING OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

PLEASE NOTE SUBJECT CHOICE IS COMPLETED IN CONSULTATION WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS DURING THE SECOND HALF OF FIRST YEAR

EXAMPLE :

ART BUSINESS STUDIES

FRENCH HOME ECONOMICS TECHNICAL GRAPHICSMETALWORK WOODWORKMUSIC

x

Please place a tick beside the three subjects you would like to study for Junior Certificate Cycle

DO I NEED TO CHOOSE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE?

• At Present: NUI Colleges (NUIG, NUIM, UCC & UCD) require a 3rd Language for entry to most courses.

• Other colleges require two languages: English and Irish/3rd Language.

• Institutes of Technology require English or Irish.• The Defence Force also requires Irish, English and a

3rd Language.• Garda Siochana Requires two languages: English and

Irish/3rd Language• You do not need a 3rd language to study Science,

Nursing, Engineering or Primary School Teaching.

EXEMPTIONS MAY BE GRANTED IF:• Primary Education up to 11 years was outside

Ireland• Students with a Specific Learning Disability • Students with Serious Intellectual

Impairment causing a learning disability • Serious Sensory Impairment causing a

learning disability• Pupils from abroad who have no understanding

of English when enrolled

Irish Exemptions

CAN I STUDY MY NATIVE LANGUAGE?

Students whose native language is not one of the following: Irish, English or French may have the opportunity to study their native language independently and sit an examination in this subject at Leaving Certificate Level.

This option is only available at Higher Level.

NON CURRICULAR LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS These are a list of language options

available for students to study Independently for Leaving Certificate State Examinations.Czech Bulgarian Danish Dutch

Finnish Hungarian Latvian Lithuanian

Polish Portuguese Romanian Swedish

Croatian Estonian Slovakian Modern Greek

A BROAD SELECTION OF SUBJECTS CAN KEEP OPTIONS OPEN

French

Language

Business Studies

Business

ArtWoodMetalTechnical GraphicsMusic Home Economics

Practical

THE EASY SUBJECTS

There is no such thing as an easy subject. There are statistics showing some subjects

obtain a higher number of A’s than others This is often a reflection on the type of candidate

that selects these subjects. However It is important to consider the content

of a subject and match it to student ability Example if the student has an aptitude for

practical tasks they would enjoy a subject with project work and ‘hands on’ practical activities.

Likewise if a student is very academic they will find theory subjects much easier to understand.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU CHOOSE YOUR SUBJECTS

Attached are Fact sheets on each Optional Subject available to 1st year students in the school.

Website www.ncca.ie provide fact sheets on all subject selection at junior certificate.

Talk to Teachers and current students. Also www.examinations.ie for past exam

papers and curriculum structure.

THE FINER DETAIL OF EACH SUBJECT. The FACT SHEETS on each subject will

provide the following information: The Content of each subject What the Junior Certificate exam is like How this subject would be useful to the

student If this subject is very different after the

Junior Certificate.

STUDY AT SECOND LEVEL EDUCATION. 14 Subjects (10 Exam Subjects) 9 Classes a day. Study includes homework and revision. Advised to study for 1.5hours per night. Study should be planned and encouraged at home. Advised that students spend approx. 15-20mins on a

learning task with a short break and then another 15-20mins etc.

Balance in life in very important and extra curricular activities are encouraged e.g. sport/exercise as well as academic achievement.

SAMPLE STUDY TIMETABLE: 1.5HOURS

Time Minutes Subject Activity

Details

4:30 15 Maths Q1-104:45 15 Irish Learn verbs5:00 20 Geograph

yQ1-3, Revise p20

5:20 20 Science Learn new topic

5:40 Dinner & TV

 

6:30 15 French Write letter7:00 5 Music Practice recorder

Subject

Art Course Work Project chosen from a list of themes e.g. craft/3-D Piece/painting.Three Major Pieces from Oct-May: 75%

Examination on Drawing of Object & person. 25%Exam in May

Music Practical Exam – Sing/instrument: 25%

Aural and Written Exam in Composing and listening to Music (Traditional Music). 75%

Home Economics

Coursework Project: Craft 15%

Cookery Exam: 25% Written Exam: 60%

Business Studies

OL: 1 Written Exam (20 Questions)

HL: 2 Written Exam (20 short Q’s and 4 long Q’s)

French Listening Exam Approx 40%

Written Exam Approx 60%

Metal Work Coursework Project (37.5% HL or 75% OL)

Written Exam - Theory 25%

Practical Exam for HL ONLY 37.5%

Wood Work Coursework Project & Folder from Nov-April 66%

Written Exam –Theory 33%

Technical Graphics

Written Exam: Short and long Q’s that relate to creating and reading drawings.

FINALLY

“Life is full of choices but making choices

would be easier if we stay true to ourselves.”