Leaving Certificate English is about understanding how language works and how texts shape meaning, identity and experience. Students read widely, write for different purposes, and learn to respond thoughtfully to literature, argument, information and creative language.
The subject builds communication, interpretation and personal response. It asks students not only to understand texts, but also to compare them, analyse them and create strong written and oral responses of their own.
The current syllabus, which applies to examinations up to June 2028, is assessed by a terminal written examination. At both Higher Level and Ordinary Level there are two papers, English I and English II, with an equal allocation of marks to each paper.
For the new specification, due to be introduced no earlier than September 2027 for fifth-year students, assessment changes to three components: a Comparative Oral worth 20%, a Writing Task worth 20%, and a written examination worth 60%.
For students entering under the new specification from September 2027, the official course is organised into these strands of study:
Higher and Ordinary Level, with current syllabus material applying to examinations up to June 2028.
Zr Academy offers English grinds in Dublin 2 and online for students who want stronger writing, clearer interpretation and more confident exam performance.
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