For generations of students, the Leaving Certificate has been a test of endurance as much as ability: a high-stakes exam where success can hinge on a few hours of written performance. This is about to change. Under reform plans scheduled to be introduced over the coming years, there will be a greater focus on assessment outside the exam hall in the form of project work, research assignments and practicals.
One of the most eye-catching proposed changes is the introduction of oral assessments for the English exam. Students will be quizzed on plays or books they have studied and will be expected to compare texts and “make connections, gain insights, synthesise and evaluate ideas” in an assessment worth 20 per cent of the total.
It is a change that is long overdue. The ability to express ideas clearly and confidently through speech is just as important as writing. Whether in university seminars, job interviews or the workplace, verbal communication is crucial. Yet, under the current system, students spend years studying English without ever being formally tested on how well they can articulate their thoughts.
A well-designed oral exam would provide students with a new way to demonstrate their strengths. Some struggle with conditions such as dyslexia and are better at expressing their ideas verbally. The inclusion of an oral assessment would ensure a more balanced, fair, and comprehensive evaluation of the abilities of students.
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In addition, it would ensure the classroom is a place of lively discussion; it may also help tackle the scourge of rote learning where students memorise pre-prepared essays rather than engaging deeply with texts and ideas. At a time when artificial intelligence poses a threat to the integrity of assessment, an oral test has no such issues.
English is a living language. If we want to equip students with the skills they need for the real world, we must move beyond a purely written examination. Introducing an oral assessment in Leaving Cert English is not just a good idea, it is a necessary step towards a fairer, more relevant education system.
