Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
388. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is committed to have Mandarin Chinese as a leaving certificate examination subject and the estimated timeframe for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24505/16]
View answerEarlier this week I published the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019. Action 35 sets out my vision on the role and place of foreign languages in the education system.
I want to increase the diversity and provision of foreign language learning opportunities including languages like Mandarin which are of relevance to rapidly growing economies of the future.
As part of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), schools can decide to include a short course in Chinese language and Culture, prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in their junior cycle programme.
There is also currently a Transition Year module on Chinese, which was taken by 4,825 students in 2015.
My Department is currently finalising its Foreign Languages in Education Strategy. Amongst the topics being considered in this context is the possibility of offering additional languages for the Leaving Certificate, like Mandarin. It is expected that the Foreign Languages in Education Strategy will be finalised in late 2016.
