asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce the teaching of a continental language at primary level, either generally, or as an experiment in some schools; and the research, if any, carried out on the subject.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching of Continental Language.
6.
My Department have not carried out any research on the matter. At present continental languages do not form part of the approved curriculum for national schools. The primary school curriculum is an integrated curriculum involving the development and use of two languages, Irish and English. I would be hesitant at this stage to take any formal measures to introduce a third language to primary schools without giving the Curriculum and Examinations Board an opportunity to examine in depth all the issues involved.
One of the recommendations of the Interim Curriculum and Examinations Board was that a major review be undertaken of the whole of the primary school curriculum. Having considered the matter carefully, it has been decided that there should be a rolling review of the curriculum having regard to the resources available to the Department and to the board.
I am disappointed to learn the Minister does not intend to undertake any review in connection with the question of adding another language to the primary school curriculum. In the context of the European society in which we live today, would the Minister not agree that our students leaving schools are not up to the required standard in not being able to speak European languages which probably is brought about because we do not begin to teach them European languages at a sufficiently young age? Would the Minister consider it essential that another language be added to the primary school curriculum?
The Deputy has made an interesting point but I should prefer to await the rolling review of the primary school curriculum and see what emerges therefore. Because of the nature of our primary school curriculum at present and the two language system operating within it, I cannot see how the curriculum could embrace another language. If the rolling review incorporates a recommendation I will be prepared to consider the interesting point made by Deputy John Bruton and to which Deputy Cullen has now contributed.
Perhaps the Minister would clarify her last remark. I am sure she is not saying that the fact our young children learn Irish now and forever will prevent them learning a third language at primary level. Is it Irish which is the problem?
I might quote from Deputy Hussey's letter to Deputy Bruton of 29 July 1985 in which she said at that stage she would be hesitant to take any formal measures to introduce a third language in primary schools. At the end of that letter the former Minister said that in so far as primary education is concerned her aim was to improve the quality of the teaching of languages — that is the two languages English and Irish referred to in the first part of her letter — so that pupils would be better prepared to take up new languages when they go to second level schools. That was the reply the former Minister gave to Deputy Bruton.
Does the Minister see Irish causing a difficulty about learning a third language at primary level?
I do not see it as much a problem as apparently the former Minister saw it because in the opening paragraph of her letter to Deputy Bruton she ruled it out completely, saying it was because pupils were learning Irish and English. As I told Deputy Cullen, in the light of the outcome of the rolling review and of the interesting suggestion he made, I shall be prepared to review the matter at that point.