Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012
13 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a new commissioned research paper for the NCCA on the need for a new common integrated language curriculum for primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25909/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCCA has commissioned three "language" reports in order to inform their work in implementing some of the commitments, contained in the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, that relate to the language curriculum in primary schools. The review of research, to which the Deputy refers, is one of three papers commissioned by NCCA to support the development of a new language curriculum for primary schools, beginning with infant classes. The other research reports focus on oral language in early childhood and primary education, and literacy in early childhood and primary education. The research paper on the common integrated language curriculum was written by Dr. Pádraig Ó Duibhir (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra) and Professor Jim Cummins (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto). It aims to gather research evidence on the feasibility and the advisability of a fully-integrated language curriculum for primary schools. The three reports are scheduled to be launched on 29th May.
