Entire Annual Report (2) - Flipbook - Page 43
The teaching of foreign languages is to be introduced to
primary schools from third class onwards on a pilot basis.
The “language sampler module” will be targeted at third- to
sixth-class pupils in more than 100 primary and special
schools.
Minister for Education Norma Foley has invited
expressions of interest from schools who may choose a
foreign language or Irish sign language.
Schools will be supported by Post-Primary Languages
Ireland in providing a six-week sampler module across a
range of additional languages.
This module will provide one hour per week for teaching
foreign languages within the normal school timetable and
will be open to schools to participate on a voluntary basis.
About €200,000 is being provided to support the initiative.
A previous drive to teach foreign languages was axed as
part of a cost-cutting effort in 2012. That initiative – set up
in 1998 by the then minister for education Micheál Martin
– introduced languages such as Italian, Spanish, German
and French in fifth and sixth class.
Under the new pilot, schools will have the autonomy to
determine the language they wish to introduce and to
secure a language tutor, such as a language
teacher/language assistant from a secondary school or a
member of the community who is fluent in the target
language.
All language tutors will work under the guidance of the
class teacher and must comply with Garda vetting and
other child-protection requirements.
“This exciting new initiative will provide pupils with
opportunities to expand their experience with languages
and also give them confidence in engaging with new
languages,” Ms Foley said.
“The sampler module will also inform future
developments in the area of language acquisition and
development of the primary curriculum framework. I
would encourage primary and special schools to explore
this opportunity to take part in this new module.”
- PPLI ANNUAL REPORT 2021 -
43