asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the recognition, for Leaving Certificate and points purposes, which will be given to senior cycle students who successfully complete the junior cycle syllabus in a modern language in accordance with an initiative recently announced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Written Answers. - Modern Language Course Recognition.
148.
In June, 1989 I advised the authorities of post-primary schools that, as part of my plans to encourage the wider study of modern continental languages, consideration was being given to the question of how best to cater for senior pupils who may wish to begin the study of a language ab initio but who would not be in a position to take on the leaving certificate course.
As an interim measure, it was decided that, where schools so wish, pupils entering the senior cycle in 1989-90 may take the intermediate certificate syllabus in French, German, Spanish or Italian as part of their approved senior cycle course. Pupils doing so will be allowed sit the Intermediate certificate examination paper in the language studied at the time of sitting their leaving certificate examination and will be credited with the appropriate intermediate certificate grade. These grades do not have recognition for leaving certificate and as such would not be reckonable for points purposes for entry to third-level colleges.