Vol. 560 No. 5
81 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to review the Irish language syllabus at second level; his views on the attractiveness and success of promoting the Irish language at second level; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3039/03]
As in the case of all syllabi, the syllabus for Irish is kept under ongoing review by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. In order to cater for the wide range of needs among the cohort, Irish is offered at three levels for the junior certificate and the established leaving certificate: ardleibhéal, gnáthleibhéal and bonnleibhéal. Irish is taught as part of the leaving certificate applied course. The syllabi, like those in the modern European languages on the curriculum, cater for the development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. They seek to develop these in a balanced way in accordance with the educational needs of students at the different levels.
The syllabi in Irish and in the modern European languages are underpinned by the same general principles. They involve approaches and methodologies that are accepted and employed by language teachers internationally. Ongoing in-service training has been made available to teachers in relation to the teaching methods and approaches involved in the syllabi in Irish at the various levels. Since the introduction of the revised syllabi in Irish for junior certificate and leaving certificate, there has been an appreciable increase in the numbers of candidates taking those examinations at the higher level by comparison with the former intermediate and leaving certificate examinations.
In line with its statutory function of keeping the school curricula under review, the NCCA has initiated a wide-ranging review of Irish at second level. In addition to the normal work of syllabus review of the NCCA, an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoilaíochta was set up in December 2001. Its brief includes conducting research and advising the NCCA on matters relating to the teaching of Irish. I will be following its work with interest.
As an interim measure until an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta is in a position to discharge all its functions fully, a special scheme has been set up under the auspices of the Donegal Education Centre to provide materials for the teaching of Irish in Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools. Under this scheme, eight teachers have been recruited to work on the design of materials under the direction of a national co-ordinator and under the general guidance of inspectors from my Department. Materials produced to date for infant classes are being prepared for publication by An Gúm. I am strongly committed to doing all that is necessary to ensure that our young people are motivated to learn Irish and that it is presented to them in a way that is in line with international best practice in language teaching.
