Jim O'Keeffe
Question:57 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education her views on the teaching of French at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Teaching of French.
At present many schools teach a modern continental language, mainly French, both during and outside school hours even though this is not part of the official curriculum.
There is considerable public interest in this topic, and it is being considered at present by the NCCA as part of the overall review of the primary curriculum. One of the ideas being explored is, as part of the development of the European dimension in the primary curriculum, to include an introduction to a modern continental language as part of a language awareness programme.
I am currently considering the establishment of a pilot project on this topic — the research and development phase of which might begin during the next school year. However, I must point out that there is a problem of curricular priority for a very limited amount of available time. Any proposal to introduce a modern continental language, including French, into the official primary curriculum would have to be considered in the light of the fact that we already teach two languages in every class in the primary school — unlike most of our European neighbours.