‘Valid reasons’ for Irish-exempt students to take other languages

Many students who have received exemptions from studying Irish in the Leaving Cert on the basis of learning disabilities have valid reasons for studying other languages, according to campaigners.

The Irish Times reported last week that the number of students at second-level who are exempt from learning Irish on the basis of a disability has jumped from 7,000 students in 2004 to some 19,000 a decade later.

Many of these students are going on to study other European languages, with some securing Irish exemptions in their Leaving Cert year.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland has insisted there are genuine reasons why many of these students are studying a European language.

Literacy skills

Rosie Bissett

, the association’s chief executive, said students with dyslexia need additional time and learning support in order to build their literacy skills in English, particularly at primary school.

“To succeed at learning a second language, one must first have reasonable competence in one’s first language. This does not mean, however, that learning a second language is not possible at a later stage,” she said.

“Due to the additional support provided in primary level and which parents provide outside of school, some children who are exempt from Irish at age eight or nine may become competent enough in their first language to enable them to take on another language when they enter second level.”

The Department of Education allows students to be excused from studying Irish on the basis of learning disabilities, which include dyslexia.

Some teachers and commentators have suggested the rise may be linked to people trying to opt out of what is considered by many students to be a difficult subject.

An ESRI working paper, however, says the numbers may be linked to increased identification and assessment of students with disabilities, as well as policies which encourage more inclusive education.

Dyslexia

Karen Connolly’s daughter, who is in transition year, received an Irish exemption in 4th class in primary due to the degree of her dyslexia.

This, her mother says, enabled her to focus on English and receive additional literacy supports. She made significant progress and, by the time she reached second-level, she felt able to tackle a second language: French.

“While it hasn’t been easy for her, she doesn’t really have another option as there is no alternative subject on offer in her school while French is on,” she says.

Connolly said suggestions in some medical commentary that children with dyslexia were “cheating the system” was hurtful and showed a lack of understanding towards young people with learning disabilities. Ms Bissett said that while some individuals may try to “play” the system, the criteria to get an Irish exemption on the grounds of dyslexia are very stringent.

“Because foreign languages are optional, no exemption procedure exists at second level,” she said.

If a student has an exemption from Irish, and is considering dropping a third language as well, their school may well not offer alternative subjects during those times.