Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
308. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider Chinese as a language subject for the leaving certificate as Chinese is the most important language subject for employment today and into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9555/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a range of languages available for the Leaving Certificate in our schools. In addition to English and Irish there are French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic and Latin. In addition there are also a suite of non-curricular languages such as Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian. There is a Chinese module available as an option for the transition year programme.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently finalising a short course in Chinese language and culture for the new Junior Cycle, following its evaluation of submissions received as an outcome of a consultation process which finished last month.
At present it is not planned to include Chinese within the suite of languages available for Leaving Certificate students.
