With the Leaving Certificate oral examinations looming, younger students are reminded of the language possibilities before them. Many students are likely familiar with the common curricular subjects offered at Leaving Certificate level, however, there are many other languages that have been recently added to the curriculum that students have the opportunity of studying in Senior Cycle.
June 2024 saw over 1,800 students sit language Leaving Certificate exams in Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese, in what was only the third year of these languages being available as curricular exams. Languages Connect offer incoming fifth year students the opportunity to study more recently added curricular languages outside of their schools if the school does not offer them as part of the timetable.
Organised by Languages Connect and funded by the Department of Education, these classes support students around Ireland to prepare for the Leaving Certificate exams and are available online and in person, depending on the language and location of the class. There is no tuition fee for students and classes take place on Saturdays during school term time.
Previous Saturday class students recently highlighted the benefits and opportunities the classes have provided them in a series of videos, with some noting that the classes "were a nice change from the traditional Leaving Cert classes” and that, in terms of learning a language, "a different language is a different view on life”.
Registration is now open for incoming 5th year students who will sit the Leaving Certificate exams in 2027. The Leaving Certificate course will be covered over a two-year period, meaning students should register before they begin 5th year, with classes starting this September. Some languages do require a level of competency in the language however there is also an option to start some languages at beginner level!
Registration closes on Friday 29th August 2025. To register and find out more visit at languagesconnect.ie