PPLI Annual Report (2019) - Flipbook - Page 35
Additional Allocation to support diversication of foreign languages provision
In 2019 PPLI facilitated applications for additional allocation of hours as per D.E.S. Circular 2019/0031. In this
circular post-primary schools were incentivised to diversify the range of languages on offer by means of
additional allocation where possible and appropriate. This was provided as a response to feedback from
principals in the audit of foreign languages provision who reported that additional allocation would be the
only means by which they could diversify provision of foreign languages.
It has also been recognised that a model whereby schools are enabled to take ownership of the new subjects
will build in sustainability in the longer term and facilitate mainstreaming of teachers employed by PPLI in
the short-term.
For the academic year 2019-20 the hours were offered for Italian, Japanese and Russian, new and lesser
taught languages that have availability of fully registered post-primary teachers.
Impact
Four schools received additional allocation for Japanese, three of which were previously provided with
Japanese by PPLI, one which introduced provision of Japanese for the first time. One school applied for the
hours for Russian and introduced it as a Junior Cycle short course and a TY module in addition to providing
Leaving Certificate classes.
Next Steps
The circular will be published again in 2020 in order to facilitate additional allocation for the new Leaving
Certificate languages.
Diversication of Leaving Certicate Languages Curricula
Expression of Interest in New Languages for Leaving Certicate: Schools and Teachers
An initial Expression of Interest form in new Leaving Certificate languages was sent out as a link in D.E.S.
Circular 2019/0061 on Curriculum Related Developments at Senior Cycle for school years 2019/20 2020/21
2021/22. These expressions of interest are in the introduction of new languages in advance of specifications
being published by the NCCA for Leaving Certificate Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese and Lithuanian.
Chinese
There were 15 Expressions of Interest from schools in Chinese. Schools were located in Dublin, Kildare, Cork
and Galway and it is likely that provision will be supported where there are clusters of schools and a critical
supply of teachers allowing sustainable development of the subject and the development of communities of
practice of teachers. 40% of schools had existing collaboration with the Confucius Institutes. Most schools
requested ex-quota teachers in the short term from PPLI. A few schools had a long history of Chinese
provision but do not necessarily have qualified teachers.
Thirty-two teachers filled out an Expression of Interest form for potential teachers and up to eight of these
had appropriate teacher and subject qualifications. There is potential capacity for the future if some of the
interested teachers acquire relevant teaching qualifications and/or acquire relevant language proficiency.
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