Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
63. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the number of schools that have expressed interest in the Say Yes to Languages programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22901/23]
View answerDeputy Dillon is taking No. 63 on behalf of Deputy Alan Farrell.
Language learning is a rewarding experience for children and students and can lead to a lifetime of engagement both culturally and professionally. A well-educated multilingual population is a key incentive for international business to choose Ireland as a base for operations. Will the Minister comment on the number of schools that have to date engaged with her Department on the Say Yes to Languages scheme for the year ahead?
The Deputy will recall that in May 2021 I launched Say Yes to Languages, a language sampler module for pupils from third to sixth class in all primary and special schools. The module aims to generate awareness among pupils of the range of languages used by their peers, support greater inclusion and appreciation of diversity in society and encourage uptake of languages at post-primary level. It runs for eight hours over a period of eight weeks. Participating schools are eligible for a grant from the Department of €400 per classroom, up to a maximum of €1,600 per school towards paying for visiting teachers and other resources or events that support the aims of the module. The module is administered by Post-Primary Languages Ireland, PPLI, on behalf of the Department.
Say Yes to Languages has proven hugely popular with 430 schools with approximately 30,000 pupils participating in the first year and just under 700 schools with approximately 50,000 pupils participating in year 2. I understand PPLI has received very positive feedback from pupils expressing pleasure in learning to speak the language of friends and learning how other people live and about their cultures. Teachers have noticed the pupils are making connections between English, Gaeilge and their new languages as a result of the module. This has complemented and reinforced the emphasis on their oral language development and the transfer of language skills between languages, both of which are pivotal in our new primary language curriculum. Participation in the module has increased the enthusiasm of children about language learning.
I am pleased with how schools have responded to the module for the benefit of their students. It is heartening to see so many schools signing up to participate and the wide range of languages they have chosen. The closing date for expressions of interest from all recognised primary and special schools to participate in the module in the 2023-24 school year call was last week, on 12 May. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the strong interest in this offering is continuing. I understand 1,168 schools, which is 36% of our primary schools, registered interest. This represents a significant increase on last year, so we are seeing an increase year on year.
This initiative is reflective of the Government’s strong commitment to promote the learning and use of modern foreign languages. Languages Connect: Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017–2026 aims to create a more engaging learning environment, improve attitudes of students towards foreign language learning and improve the quality of foreign language teaching.
I thank the Minister for her response and work in this area. The introduction of Say Yes to Languages has been a positive step right across the school community. Allowing pupils, teachers, parents and guardians to learn a modern foreign language promotes inclusivity and understanding of diverse cultures, so it is a positive step. It also encourages schools to take up the scheme. The Minister indicated the Department has seen a huge increase in take-up of the scheme year on year. What improvements have been made in the scheme for the forthcoming year, 2023-24? Is the Department also seeing students take up the Ukrainian language to help integrate new students who may have come to their school as part of our humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine?
We have seen an incredible diversity of languages being chosen by schools. Some of them very much reflect the children and young people in the schools. Schools have autonomy to choose and decide on the language. We are fortunate to have teachers in place in our schools who are of Ukrainian background and have registered with the Teaching Council. We have seen considerable uptake, as I articulated, in the number of pupils. It has risen from 30,000 to 50,000, with projected figures for year 3 being even higher again. Schools will be confirmed, in terms of their application, on 16 June. It is hugely positive that we have seen more than 1,168 schools, or 36% of primary schools, express an interest. It is also work on the back of the new primary curriculum framework in which we are also bringing in the teaching of modern foreign languages. This scheme is a pre-emptive step in that regard. Great credit is due to all the schools for their enthusiasm.
I again thank the Minister for her response. It is a really positive scheme that should be commended. I wish to inquire around the selection process. Applications closed, as the Minister outlined, on 12 May. It was also mentioned that participation is not guaranteed to all applying schools and that a panel will evaluate applications based on specific criteria. I ask the Minister to provide additional details on how the panels will assess applications. I am specifically interested in their being a geographic spread of schools so we have a fair distribution from both rural and urban areas. The Minister may have confirmed this previously but what is the anticipated confirmation date for all those participating in this programme?
I will give him the data at the start, lest I forget. The proposed date is 16 June, at this point at any rate. We are possibly on target for that. There are criteria in place. The Deputy referenced geographic spread, which is hugely important and is one of the criteria. There is a range of school contexts, types of schools and so on. Diversity in the target languages applied for is also an element, so we have a great spread of languages.
Many schools also have an internal capacity among their staff. The school must provide details of how it will engage in promotion and dissemination - in other words, the programme that the school initiates - and how it will encourage teachers and tutors to participate in training. It must commit to delivering modules within specified timeframes. It must commit to engage and communicate with PPLI. These criteria are the basis and priority will be given to those schools that feel they can meet them.
