asked the Minister for Education whether any consideration has been given to designating one major European language, e.g., French, as the European language which would receive most assistance after the second official language in Irish schools.
48.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching of Languages.
47.
asked the Minister for Education whether he is satisfied with the present teaching methods of the main European languages in schools; and whether any improvements are under consideration which would emphasise an oral practical approach.
49.
asked the Minister for Education whether he has any up-to-date figure of the number of schoolchildren at present following European language courses in secondary schools; whether there has been any increase in the number taking these courses over the past two years; and whether any fresh facilities are under consideration.
50.
asked the Minister for Education whether, after his recent visit to Germany, he held any discussions with the German authorities on the improvement in the teaching of German in Irish schools.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 50 together.
There are four modern European languages included in the post-primary school curriculum — French, German, Italian and Spanish. For me to seek to instruct the schools as to the order of preference that might be accorded to these languages or to seek to influence pupils as to the language or languages from this group which they should study would be tantamount to my seeking to exercise an authority which I do not possess. Furthermore such action could not be justified on educational grounds.
I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement showing the number of pupils studying each of these languages during the years 1969-70 and 1970-71. From these figures it will be seen that there is an increase of 7,695 in 1970-71 as against 1969-70.
There is continuing development in the facilities for teaching these languages. For example, as an encouragement to the use of up-to-date teaching methods my Department gives grants for the purchase of audiovisual aids for use language classes. Provision is also made for language laboratories in the design of many new schools. Summer courses are organised for language teachers and through these courses teachers are trained in the use of the most up-to-date methods, particularly in regard to the teaching of the spoken language.
During my recent visit to Germany I discussed with a number of persons the teaching of foreign languages generally. The methods employed in the teaching of German in Irish schools were not discussed.
Following is the statement:
MODERN LANGUAGES
1. The number of pupils studying the four modern European languages for the school-years 1970-71 and 1969-70 was:—
|
School-Year |
French |
German |
Spanish |
Italian |
Total |
|
1970-71 |
95,066 |
4,013 |
15,309 |
1,550 |
115,938 |
|
1969-70 |
90,855 |
3,530 |
12,195 |
1,663 |
108,243 |
Would the Minister repeat the figure for the number of children——
The figure for 1970-71 as against 1969-70?
Has he got the figure for 1970-71?
The difference is 7,695.
There are 7,000 doing it?
No.
Has the Minister got the actual figure?
This is the figure I am circulating in the Official Report.
Could he say what it is?
Is it the figure in relation to the modern European languages for the school years 1970-71 and 1969-70?
For 1970-71?
For 1970-71 the total was 115,938.
Would the Minister not agree that the recent decision to raise the teacher-pupil ratio in secondary schools from 1 to 15 to 1 to 20 is a retrograde step and may lead to a situation in which some schools may not be able to employ teachers to teach modern continental languages?
No. I do not accept that at all.