Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
222. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve the manner in which the Irish language is being taught at primary school level (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new primary language curriculum for junior infants to second class has been developed. Implementation of the new curriculum commenced on a phased basis in 2016 starting with the oral strand. This was prioritised to allow teachers to emphasise the importance of speaking Irish as a living language.
There are two curriculums; one for Irish-medium schools where Irish is the language of instruction and one for English-medium schools where Irish is the second language. Proficiency levels attained in Irish will, in reality, be different depending on the language of instruction used.
All primary teachers are currently in receipt of Continuing Professional Development, CPD, for the new primary language curriculum. CPD concentrated on the oral language strand in 2016/17. In 2017/18, the CPD is focused on the reading and writing strands. Teachers will be able to teach all three strands from September 2018.
Improving the standard and supports for teachers of Irish is an important priority.
All Initial Teacher Education, ITE, programmes for primary level have been reconfigured and lengthened. The content and duration of Gaeltacht placements has been increased from one three-week period to two separate periods of two weeks.
My Department funds An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, COGG, to develop textbooks and other resource materials for both English-medium and Irish-medium schools.
My Department also funds Foras na Gaeilge to provide interactive teaching and learning resources under their Seideán Sí initiative.
Work is currently underway in developing the primary language curriculum for third to sixth class.
All the above efforts are being made to enable teachers to enhance the quality of the learning experience and the proficiency levels gained by our primary pupils in Irish whether they attend an Irish-medium or an English-medium school.
