Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
814. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the reason Irish sign language has not been included as a curricular subject (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31785/21]
View answerThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (the NCCA) is currently reviewing and redeveloping the Primary Curriculum Framework. The NCCA has had continued engagement with member’s of the deaf community in recent years and will continue this engagement in the context of the review and redevelopment of the Framework. One of the competencies proposed is 'Communicating and using language' which means being able to understand, interpret and use different forms of communication including gesture, expression, spoken language (English, Irish and other languages), printed text, broadcast media, and digital media.
Phase one of the consultation on the draft Primary Curriculum Framework is complete. Phase two will take place in Q4 2021 during which time the NCCA will be working with children, teachers, school leaders and parents, so there will be an opportunity for children and teachers who use ISL in schools to provide learning from their experiences in their engagement with the NCCA. It is expected that the finalised Framework will be published by end Q2 2022 and the specifications for individual curricula will be developed in the following years.
In addition, a 6 week sampler module of languages in primary schools has recently been announced with schools invited to express an interest in participating. A budget of €200,000 has been provided to support the module which will support the participation of at least 100 schools. The module will include Irish Sign Language (ISL) and will run towards the end of the first term of the 2021/22 school year. Feedback from this module will also be used to inform the development of the Framework. It is expected that the finalised Framework will be published by end Q2 2022 and the specifications for individual curricula will be developed in the following years.
At post primary school level, The Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) has developed a specification for a short course in Irish Sign Language (ISL) which is available as part of the new Junior Cycle. The emphasis is on developing communication skills in ISL at level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This course develops students' ability to understand ISL in live, and in recorded situations, to produce the language and to interact with other signers in a simple way and on familiar topics. A link to the course is available at: http://languagesinitiative.ie/images/ISL/MFL_Gen_Spec_ISL_28_May__Short_Course.pdf.
Currently, there are four modules on Sign Language available as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This course introduces students to Irish Sign Language and aims to develop their expressive and receptive communication skills. The course also develops awareness and appreciation of the Irish deaf community and its culture. There are four modules in this course. Deaf students may take all four modules instead of the Gaeilge and Modern Language courses. The first two modules of this course may be taken as elective modules by all students.
There is also an opportunity for students to learn sign language in the course of Transition Year. Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.
