Structure

Thresholds

Ard-Teisht Ghaelgagh (ATG) - Advanced Certificate in Manx
 
 
 

The main features of this qualification are:
 
 

• Equivalent to a UK A-Level, based on a UK scheme for Advanced Level by credit accumulation for French/German/Spanish for Professional Use.

 
• A modular scheme, very much focused on the Isle of Man now and in the recent past, a main aim being to use Manx in a modern, everyday fashion.

 
• Assessed almost entirely by coursework, with candidates working at home to a large degree. But candidates' progress will be monitored as closely as possible to resolve difficulties. Back-up tuition will be provided.

 
• Assessment will be by accumulation of credits which may be banked and remain valid for up to three years. Candidates taking ATG at school will normally take two years to get the qualification.

 
• Before taking ATG, candidates will usually have gained Teisht Chadjin Ghaelgagh (General Certificate in Manx) or be able to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of Manx.

 
• Under the auspices of the Isle of Man Department of Education, the operation and standards of ATG will be monitored by a Validation Committee, which will also check the marking of assessments.

There are six modules, the first three being at Tier 1 ('Tier' refers to the level of difficulty), and the last three being at Tier 2.
 
 

• Modules 1 and 4 are concerned with listening and reading aloud or speaking.

 
• Modules 2 and 5 are concerned with reading and writing.

 
• Modules 3 and 6 are concerned with present day Manx society and culture.

Module 1: Listening and Reading Aloud (Tier 1)

(i) Listen to sound recordings made by fluent Manx speakers, read written questions in Manx on these and write answers in Manx.

(ii) Choose a topic from an approved list (see below), prepare a written text on the topic and make a sound recording of this.

Module 2: Reading and Writing (Tier 1)

(i) Translate a letter from Manx into appropriate English. Then, with guidance notes, write a reply in Manx.

(ii) Given a passage written in Manx, summarise it in English.

Module 3: Society and Culture (Tier 1)

(i) Write answers in Manx to questions in English on short texts in Manx
concerning current and recent issues in the Isle of Man.

(ii) Write 1500-2000 words in Manx on a topic from the approved list (this topic must be different from the one chosen in Module 1 (ii)).

Module 4: Listening and Speaking (Tier 2)

(i) Listen to a sound recording in Manx and (with guidance) write a discussion paper in Manx.

(ii) Choose a topic from the approved list, research this topic and be prepared to answer (in Manx) questions asked on the topic in Manx.

(The topic must be different from those chosen for Module 1 (ii) and for Module 3 (ii)).

Module 5: Reading and Writing (Tier 2)

(i) Given an article in Manx, write a summary of it in Manx drawing conclusions, making comparisions and expressing opinions on the theme or event.

(ii) Translate into accurate English three short texts in Manx. Also, translate a longer text into accurate English.

Module 6: Society and Culture (Tier 2)

Choose one topic from the approved list and write 2500-3000 words in Manx on it.
Alternatively, choose two topics and write 1250-1500 words on each topic.
Topics chosen must be different from those chosen previously.

What are the approved topics?

(Guidance will be given in addition to the following bare list of topics)
 
 

• Present day political life in the Isle of Man.

 
• Heritage and culture in the Isle of Man.

 
• The Manx economy.

 
• Religious belief in the Isle of Man now.

 
• Contemporary town life and country life in the Isle of Man.

 
• Present day environmental issues in the Isle of Man.

 
• Education in the Isle of Man now.

 
• The media in the Isle of Man now.

 
• Transport and the Isle of Man now.

 
• Contemporary health issues in the Isle of Man.

 
• Leisure in the Isle of Man now

 

Useful texts

Textbook 1
Textbook 2
Textbook 3

Articles

Full English / Manx  and  Manx / English Dictionaries.

You can get more information on Ard-Teisht Ghaelgagh (ATG) from:

Manx Language Officer,
Bunscoill Ghaelgagh,
Main Road,
St Johns,
Isle of Man.
IM4 3NA

Phone: (01624) 80 33 13
e-mail: [email protected]
remove GAELG from address

Brian Stowell, Secretary, Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh, 16 Hilary Road, Douglas,
Isle of Man IM2 3EG.
Phone: (01624) 62 38 21
e-mail: [email protected]
remove GAELG from address

 
 

Important points to consider;
 

1. September 2002 is the first time that tuition for the Advanced Certificate in Manx has been offered to schools.

 
2. The Advanced Certificate in Manx is awarded by the Isle of Man Department of Education.

 
3. The Department of Education’s Manx Language Validation Committee ensures that the Manx Gaelic course is of an equivalent standard to a United Kingdom Advanced Level.

 
4. The Department of Education will fully back the validity of the awarding of such a certificate as being of sufficient standard to meet the requirements of a United Kingdom Advanced Level in languages.

 

B.

Possible choices;
 

Year 12

• Manx could be offered initially as an AS Level.

 
• This would be a one year course involving the first 3 modules.

 
• Coursework would be assessed at Tier 1

Year 13

• Manx could be offered at A level.

 
• This would become the second year of the course involving modules four, five and six.

 
• Coursework would be assessed at Tier 2

C.

However -
 

1. As with any certification, there can be no guarantee that the Advanced Certificate in Manx will be accepted by a United Kingdom college or university as an appropriate qualification for entry into any particular course offered within such an institution and chosen by the student.

 

 

2. It will, therefore, be necessary to give very careful consideration to the choice of A levels studied, in particular their relevance to any future intended course of training and with close reference to the stated entry requirements of educational establishments within the United Kingdom.