I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 75, 76 and 83 together.
I would refer Deputies to the section in the Green Paper on Education for a Changing World dealing with a variety of initiatives related to modern continental languages at post-primary level. The position has now been reached where the great majority of students follow at least one modern continental language, mainly either French or German or both.
The language chosen is a matter for the individual school and its pupils, but I will be seeking to support schools in every way possible in extending their provision for the minority languages of German, Spanish and Italian. The provision of part-time teaching hours over quota for a second continental language will be continued and will be facilitated through the more flexible arrangements for the introduction of additional languages as proposed in the Green Paper.
I also expect a new momentum in the teaching of modern continental languages through the various initiatives in the Green Paper related to focusing on improving communications skills. These include the allocation of 60 per cent of the marks in examinations to oral and aural skills.
The Deputies will also be aware that I propose to introduce an awareness programme for modern continental languages into the primary school curriculum so as to provide orientation to such languages at the earliest possible stage. This should provide a further boost to the take-up of such languages at the post-primary level.