LCA: LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year programme to prepare students for adult and working life.

Introduction of LCA
The Leaving Certificate Applied helps students to build their self-confidence and to become more responsible.

Course Structure
2 Year Programme Divided into 4 half-year blocks called Sessions Key assignments must be completed during each session It is continuous assessment- marked over the two years 90% attendance is a major part of this course

Course Structure
There are 7 tasks (projects) to complete over the 2 years English and Communications, Mathematical Applications, Social Education, Italian, Hotel Catering and Tourism, Irish, Vocational.

Subjects
Students must complete all of the following subjects in LCA: English and Communications Mathematical Applications Gaeilge (Irish) is covered in 5th year Italian is covered in 6th year Vocational Preparation: Guidance, Jobsearch, Enterprise 1& 2, Work Experience 1, 2&3 , Community Work, Work and Living

Subjects
Hotel Catering and Tourism (Specialism) Arts- Visual Art Introduction to Communication and Technology (ICT) in 5th Year Information and Communication (Elective) Craft and Design (Specialism) Social Education Leisure and Recreation

English and Communications

There are 4 modules to be completed over the 2 years : Communications and the Working WorldLetter writing, Telephone techniques, Report Writing, CV. Communications and Enterprise-Advertising, mini- company, questionnaires,

English and Communications

The Communications Media- Newspapers, Radio, Television, Film, Advertising Examine songs and stories- The poetry of popular song, Poetry, Short Story, Novel, Film.

Mathematical Applications
There are 4 modules, 1 in each session over the 2 years: Mathematics for Living- Problem solving, real life maths, salaries, timetables, percentages. Enterprise Mathematics- running a small company, budget, working out tax.

Mathematical Applications
Mathematics for Leisure & Civic AffairsLeisure activities, rights and responsibilities. Mathematics for Working Life- wages, salaries.

Gaeilge (Irish)
2 Modules completed in 5th year Irish all around us- Road Signs, Irish school, Irish as a living language- Post Cards, CVs, Irish Films Oral Irish: Talk about themselves, family, Past-times. Education Task completed in 5th Year- Sports Personality of interest to you

Italian
2 Modules are completed in 6th Year: Social Relationships- learn how to greet people, make introductions, use numbers, discuss likes and dislikes Travelling and Finding the Way- ask and understand directions, use the telephone.

Vocational Preparation:Jobsearch
Made up of six units and done over session one.

Unit 1: GETTING Information Unit 2: LOOKING AT DIFFERENT JOBS Unit 3: WORK EXPERIENCE Unit 4: Interview Skills Unit 5: Pay and Conditions Unit 6: Self Employment

Jobsearch
Ways jobs are advertised. Get information on jobs. Practice FILLING IN application FORMS. Pick job that uses your own skills and qualities.

ENTERPRISE MODULE
Set-up, organise and run your own business. For Example: School Credit Union, School Shop: Starvin Marvin, Sloppys Understand of how a business operates. Apply communication, decisionmaking, social and MATHS skills to real business situations.

Interact with the local community.

Vocational Preparation: Work Experience

Plan, experience and REVIEW work placement. STUDENTS MUST ORGANISE THEIR OWN WORK EXPERIENCE Get self-confidence, communication skills by working with adults. Develop personal skills for the workplace.

Look at possible career paths.

Vocational Preparation: Working and Living

This module will help you to make a successful move from school to working life. Look at Health & Safety issues in the workplace.

Community Work
This module is about the work of community and voluntary organisations. How can you help your community?

Guidance
Made up of four Modules and done over two years.
1: The student and the world of work 2: The student and one particular field of work 3: Information building 4: Career action plan

GUIDANCE
Aware of your interests, skills and personality and your favourite fields of work. To see how your strengths relate to working life. Identify areas of employment that suit you. To find and use careers information Develop an action plan in relation to your chosen career- WHAT STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO GET YOUR CAREER. work experience will help you to decide what job you

Hotel, Catering and Tourism

There are 4 modules to be completed over the 2 years. 1. Eating Out: The Fast Food Way- Take Aways, Coffee Shops, Pub Grub, create a menu 2. Eating Out: Hotels, Restaurants and Institutions- organise meal events, breakfast, lunch, coffee mornings

Hotel, Catering and Tourism

3. Irish Hospitality: national travel and options, accommodation. 4. Catering for people from other countries: look at diet and food from other countries.

Arts: Visual Art

There are 2 modules to complete over the 2 years. 1. Individuality and Identity: Collect information on hobbies and interests , Make pictures of yourself and write about it. 2. The Local Area: Make posters on Drimnagh

Introduction to Communication and Technology: 5th Year

Students must complete 2 Modules in 5th Year. 1. Introduction to the computer and how to type. 2. How to use the computer- databases, spreadsheets and graphic packages.

ICT- Elective
4 modules to be completed over the 2 years. Modules: Word Processing Databases Spreadsheets Desktop Publishing The Internet Text Entry Students can visit BOSCO to improve their computer skills.

Craft and Design

4 Modules to be completed over the 2 years 1. Pictures: Make a fairytale book of pictures and story. 2. Textiles: Texture of surface. 3. Signage: Examine and create signs for shops. 4. Modelling: Puppetry- make puppets.

Social education
There are 6 modules to be completed over the 2 years. 1. Social and Health Education 1 & 2: Behaviour, Communication, Healthy Lifestyle, Media, Drugs. 2. My Community: surveys, the environment, clubs in the local area, interview a member of the senior citizens. 3. Contemporary Issues 1 &2:Human Rights locally and internationally, artwork, posters, drama, role-play 4. Taking Charge- Leaving Home, Budgets, Banking.

Leisure and Recreation

Any 2 modules can be completed over the 2 years. Module 1: Physical Activity for PerformanceSoccer Coaching. Module 2: Physical Activity for Health and Fitness- Gym and Rock Climbing Module 3: Physical Activity for RecreationRowing

Do Leaving Certificate Applied students receive a Leaving Certificate?

Yes. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a Leaving Certificate from the State Examinations Commission. All credits awarded will be recorded on the LCA P parchment.

RESULTS: GRADES
Students can get 200 credits over the two years. 62 in school :Attendance and completing Key Assignments 70 from tasks: projects and interviews 68 from exams

RESULTS: GRADES
Students need 60% to pass : 120 credits 70% to get a Merit: 140 credits (Grade B) 85% to get a Distinction: 170 credits (Grade A)

WHAT CAN STUDENTS DO WHEN THEY FINISH LCA?

Look for a job Get an Apprenticeship Apply to do a Post Leaving Certificate Course (PLC) Complete PLC course and continue onto college or get a job. Apply to become a guard, army officer, cadet, hotel employee, FAS, and as a bank clerk. YOU CANNOT GO DIRECTLY INTO THIRD LEVEL COLLEGES

LCA APPLICATION NOTE

Attach 3 passport size photos to application form. These are for work experience placement references. Failure to do so will delay processing of application. Photos will be returned if application is unsuccessful You can include copies of references/ school reports if you wish Please make sure to attend the interview. List of names and times will be outside the Guidance Counsellors office and on LCA noticeboard. If your miss your allocated time, you will be placed at the end of the list. If you cant make the allocated time please let the Guidance Counsellor (Ms. Brady) know so that you can make a new appointment.

LCA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Why did you apply for this programme? Explain what you think you would be doing in L.C.A. What does continuous assessment mean? Tell me about your attendance record. Tell me a little about yourself. Describe any strong qualities that you have that you can use in L.C.A. What would you like to do for your work placement? What does a contract mean? Tell me about your behaviour record in school to date. Have you received yellow and red cards? Explain Give an example of when you had to meet a deadline. Is there anything in L.C.A. that you think you might find difficult? Have you any questions that you would like to ask?

Applications
Application forms must be returned by Wednesday 10th of April to Ms. Brady. Failure to do so, means that you wont receive an interview.

INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 15th OF APRIL, WEDNESDAY 17TH OF APRIL & THURSDAY 18TH OF APRIL CHECK LCA NOTICEBOARD FOR YOUR TIME SLOT

Any Questions