Vol. 344 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider her decision on the holding of oral examinations in modern languages in view of the work already done in preparation and the comparitively low cost of the examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
101.
asked the Minister for Education the financial outlay that will be saved as a result of her recent announcement on the proposed non-implementation of the oral examinations in modern languages; if she is aware of the vast amount of professional and voluntary work already done in preparation for these examinations; if she will reconsider her decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
The preparatory work necessary for the introduction of full-scale oral tests in modern languages as an essential part of the leaving certificate examination had not reached the stage where it would be feasible to hold such tests in 1985. I have, however, instructed my Department to undertake the necessary preparations as a matter of urgency so that oral tests can be introduced as soon as possible. In the meantime I have had revised syllabi incorporating listening comprehension tests introduced in modern languages for examination in 1985 as a step towards the introduction of full oral tests.
While the question of financial outlay has always to be borne in mind, there were other considerations which, as I have indicated, irrespective of financial cost, precluded the introduction of full scale oral tests in 1985.
