HL English

>HL English

Also taught by: Cathy Kennedy

No topics match “”.

Related from the Blog

7 Common Mistakes Leaving Cert English Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Thousands of students sit Leaving Cert English every year feeling prepared, only to lose marks on mistakes that are easy to avoid. Here's what to watch for.
How to Write a H1 Comparative Essay
Three texts, multiple modes and endless notes can make the Comparative Study feel overwhelming — but every high-scoring essay follows a similar structure.
The Ultimate Leaving Cert English Study Plan (Without Spending Every Evening Studying)
Improving at English isn't about reading for hours every night — consistency beats cramming every time. Here's a weekly plan that actually works.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Leaving Certificate English exam takes place every June and is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2, which are sat on separate days. English is typically one of the first examinations on the Leaving Certificate timetable, with the official schedule released annually by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).

Leaving Certificate English is divided into two papers. Paper 1 includes Reading Comprehension and Composition (Personal Essay, Speech, Article, Short Story and more). Paper 2 includes the Single Text, Comparative Study, Prescribed Poetry and Unseen Poetry. Students are assessed on their ability to analyse, interpret and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.

The best way to improve your grade is through consistent practice. Completing past exam questions, learning how to answer the question directly, analysing quotations instead of simply memorising essays and reviewing examiner reports can all make a significant difference.

Leaving Cert Plus English provides expert exam-focused notes, video lessons and short explainers, sample H1-style answers, essay guides and writing frameworks, revision resources for every section of the course, and exam techniques based on examiner expectations.

No. While it's important to know your texts well, memorising full essays isn't the best approach. Students who understand the themes, characters, quotations and literary techniques are much better equipped to adapt their answers to the question asked.

Claire Cotter

Claire Cotter

English Teacher

English Teacher & SEN Coordinator at Christian Brothers College Cork, trusted by thousands of Leaving Cert students over more than 15 years teaching Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate English. In 2025, 15% of students in Claire's Leaving Certificate class achieved 600+ points.