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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Languages Programme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

120 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students studying each of the main European languages at primary, secondary and third levels. [26506/99]

Primary Data

Number of pupils participating in the pilot project on modern languages in 1998-99

French

9,644

German

4,456

Spanish

2,590

Italian

1,243

Secondary Data 1998-99
Number of students studying main European languages in recognised second level schools in 1998-99

Junior Cert.

Leaving Cert.

Leaving Cert Applied

French

140,183

77,820

2,865

German

50,971

22,131

755

Spanish

7,140

3,350

715

Italian

635

430

218

Tertiary Data
HEA Institutions
The information in the university sector is for the academic year 1996-97, which is the latest year for which figures are available.

Institution

French

German

Spanish

Italian

Total

UCD

627

507

272

242

1,678

TCD

528

343

145

135

1,151

NUI, M

227

152

379

UCC

771

445

283

197

1,696

NUI, G

400

286

152

98

936

DCU

445

515

343

1,303

UL*

170*

94*

28*

2,158

Total*

3,168

2,342

1,223

672

9,301

*These figures do not include students studying Humanities in the University of Limerick. There is no individual breakdown of students available by language on these courses. All Humanities students, with the exception of arts students, have options to study French, German or Spanish. The total number of students studying these courses in 1996-97 was 1,202. Arts students can elect options in French or German. The number of students studying Arts in 1996-97 was 664. These figures when added to the UL figures above give the total of 2,158 students.
Institutes of TechnologyFigures for the numbers of students studying each of the main European languages in the technological sector are not available in my Department. My Department has requested the information from the institutes of technology and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is made available to me.
Other Institutions
The figures in the table below are for the academic year 1998-99.

Institution

French

German

Total

St. Pats, Carlow

16

16

St. Patrick's, Maynooth

7

7

National College of Ireland

199

167

366

Total

222

167

389

Richard Bruton

Question:

121 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the study of Spanish is under-provided for compared to its value in terms of the numbers of speakers worldwide and the number of Irish holidaying in Spanish speaking countries; the plans, if any, he has to appoint more language assistant teachers in Spanish, to extend in-service training, to promote linked learning Spanish with other practical subjects as a course for development at third level and to develop student exchange opportunities in Spanish speaking countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26507/99]

Richard Bruton

Question:

122 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions, if any, he has had with his Spanish counterpart to discuss ways in which the Spanish Government might support extended Spanish education in Ireland. [26508/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.

There are currently an estimated 400,000,000 speakers of Spanish in 21 countries across the world. This makes Spanish speakers the second largest group after speakers of Chinese. English speakers are at present in third place.

Neither the number of speakers of a language worldwide nor the number of people holidaying in a certain country, in themselves, constitute reasons for making the learning of that language an education priority. There are other valid factors governing policy in the matter, for example, personal taste, proximity of the learners to the country in which the language is spoken, availability of teachers, third level study plans and plans to seek employment abroad.

Nevertheless, I am not satisfied with the fact that only 3,690 candidates sat Spanish in the 1999 public examinations, 2,131 at junior certificate and 1,559 at leaving certificate level. I am taking the following steps to address the matter.

I have just recently appointed a full-time inspector of Spanish. This single measure has already had an empowering effect on the Spanish learning and teaching community.

I have ensured that Spanish is taught in a number of primary schools participating in the modern languages – primary – initiative. At present, 53 of the 287 participating schools teach the lang uage. This measure will increase demand for the teaching of Spanish at second level.
An initiative targeted specifically at increasing the uptake of Spanish and Italian, and introducing Japanese, will commence shortly. My Department is currently working on the details of this initiative. It will include in-service for the teachers of Spanish already in the system as well as increasing present capacity for teaching the language within the second level system.
I am in discussion with the Spanish Embassy about the possibility of appointing a larger number of language assistants for Spanish, of whom there are currently five working in Irish schools. Up to now the number of students taking Spanish did not warrant an increase. When the initiative targeting lesser-taught languages at second level is in place it will certainly be possible to re-examine the situation. Student exchange programmes could also be part of this initiative.
My Department's in-career development unit funds in-service provided by the Spanish Teachers Association for teachers of Spanish at second level. Proposals from course organisers for additional in-service support to meet the identified needs of Spanish teachers will be considered in a positive way.
In the university sector, there is opportunity to study Spanish on its own and in conjunction with other subjects in all seven universities as part of the following undergraduate programmes:

UCD:

Arts; Commerce (International).

UCC:

Arts; Language & Cultural Studies; Commerce (European).

NUIG:

Arts; Commerce (International).

NUIM:

Arts.

TCD:

Arts.

UL:

Applied Languages; Business Studies and a Modern Language; European Studies.

DCU:

International Business & Languages; Applied Languages.

Student exchange opportunities at third level occur under the aegis of the EU Socrates-Erasmus programme. In the academic year 1998-99 a total of 173 students in the third level sector travelled to Spain as part of this programme.
According to the information available to me in relation to the technological sector Spanish is taught to students in five institutes of technology, namely, Athlone, Cork, Galway-Mayo, Tallaght and Waterford. Should further information become available I will forward it to the Deputy.
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