Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
278. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on advances in her announced plan to introduce a foreign language in primary schools across the State; when it will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52288/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026 aims to increase and diversify the range of foreign languages taught and learned across the education system.
The Department is planning for the introduction of modern foreign languages for stages 3 and 4 (3rd to 6th class) as part of the broader plan for the introduction of the full redeveloped Primary School Curriculum as set out in the Primary Curriculum Framework published in March 2023
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is in the process of updating the Primary Language Curriculum (2019) to include Modern Foreign Languages for Stages 3 and 4 which will be subject to public consultation in spring 2024. Careful consideration is being given to ensure the introduction of Modern Foreign Languages still retains the cohesive nature of the Primary Language Curriculum across all curriculum languages and the languages of the classroom. This is to allow all languages within the Primary Language Curriculum to be taught in a cohesive way. It is expected that the updated Primary Language Curriculum inclusive of Modern Foreign Languages will be finalised in early 2025 for introduction in schools from September 2025 and implementation on a phased basis from September 2026.
The updated Primary Language Curriculum will encompass Language Awareness and Cultural Awareness in Stage 3 (3rd and 4th classes), incrementally building on children's existing knowledge and awareness of language and culture. This language and cultural awareness model will continue into Stage 4 (5th and 6th classes) with the introduction of a third curriculum language (L3).
Oide, my Department’s professional development service for school leaders and teachers, will put a comprehensive professional development framework in place, to include a range of face-to-face and online supports, to assist school leaders and teachers as they work through the introduction, implementation and embedding of the new curriculum within our classrooms.
In advance of this development, Say Yes to Languages is a primary sampler module now in its third year. This is an eight week, one hour per week, module for 3rd to 6th class pupils using a language selected by the school depending on their resources and demographic. 1,200 primary schools right across the country are participating in Say Yes to Languages this year using fifteen different languages and they receive a grant of up to €1,600 to cover costs. Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) manage the scheme on behalf of the Department and provide support and resources to participating schools. PPLI are also piloting a range of language upskilling models for class teachers participating in the scheme. Further information on Say Yes to Languages is available here: Languages at Primary School | Languages Connect
