External Evaluation of the European Baccalaureate (Annexes)

texts and resources. For the purpose of the syllabus language is classified under five general
headings:
The language of information
The language of argument
The language of persuasion
The language of narration
The aesthetic use of language
In conclusion, the Leaving Certificate syllabus is more detailed in approach and more
demanding of the higher-order thinking skills.
It emphasises a greater integration of language and literature study.
A list of prescribed texts for assessment is provided every year with great variation.
Examination Papers
Here again the approach is very different.
“Practical criticism” features in EB whereas more specific demands are made in LC in
response to texts for comprehension.
Both content and stylistic questions are found in LC with room for personal response.
Questions are more general and open in EB papers.
There is no compulsion to answer a Poetry section in EB as it is tested through optional
“practical criticism” question. Poetry is a compulsory section in Literature paper in LC. A
personal response is required to an unseen poem in LC and a discussion of a poet’s work.
Students also have to discuss a Shakespearean text in LC but not in EB.
A long composing assignment is central to LC and awarded 100 of 400 marks for English.
This does not appear on EB papers.
The comparative approach features in both EB and LC but is more demanding in LC. Good
scripts from EB reveal a two-pronged approach whereby each text is discussed separately in
response to a quotation in the question. LC students expected to have a greater comparative
element worked through their answering. The emphasis is different also. In EB the focus is
more on content, plot and character than on attitudes, values, structures and styles which are
demanded in LC.
Time limit more demanding at LC. In EB 2 parts of a question have to be answered in 4
hours.
In LC Paper Two 3 sections have to be answered in 3hrs, 20 mins.
LC English can be taken at Higher or Ordinary Level.
Assessment
Assessment in EB focuses on Language and Content and awards marks accordingly around
a wide and general range of criteria such as “sophisticated expression” “a pleasure to read”
“unexpected subtleties” “distinguished work”.
The criteria for assessment in LC are:
• Clarity of Purpose
• Coherence of Delivery
• Efficiency of Language use
• Accuracy of Mechanics
Each answer is in the form of a response to a specific task requiring candidates
• To display a clear and purposeful engagement with the set task
• To sustain the response in an appropriate manner over the entire answer
• To manage and control language appropriate to the task
• To display levels of accuracy in spelling and grammar
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