Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Languages Programme.

Enda Kenny

Question:

463 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the importance of the French, German and Spanish languages and on the fact that, in 1999, 37,000 students took French, 11,000 took German and 1,500 took Spanish at leaving certificate level; his views on the importance of increased teaching of Spanish in view of its importance as a language not only in Europe but across southern and central America and the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22847/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

Many of our young people today study a modern continental European language up to leaving certificate level. I am aware of the relatively low number of leaving certificate students learning Spanish. Spanish is now spoken by some 400 million people worldwide. Recently I have taken some important steps to increase the uptake of Spanish in our schools.

A £4.5 million second level languages initiative has just got under way with the appointment of a national co-ordinator. This initiative seeks to build up our national language capacity in the areas of Spanish, Italian and Japanese. My Department has issued a circular to all second level schools inviting them to participate in the initiative. Some 98 schools have already declared an interest in introducing Spanish or in increasing their current provision.

The initiative will help to fund in-service training for teachers of the languages concerned, to provide grants for the purchase of materials and to address the problems of teacher supply. My Department is about to place an advertisement in the national press to invite teachers who are qualified in one or more of the three languages concerned but have no opportunity to teach them at present to participate in the initiative. One way in which their talents may be used is in the creation of a team or teams of visiting teachers.

There are at present 55 primary schools offering Spanish as part of our pilot project for modern languages. Great enthusiasm for learning the language is shown by participating teachers and pupils. The second level languages initiative will help to address the current problem of continuity of the study of Spanish up to leaving certificate.