A chara, – It is welcome that a third language is to be introduced in classes three to six in primary schools and it is hoped that no student will be denied this opportunity by means of a system of exemptions (”Primary pupils to learn foreign languages under new curriculum from 2025″, News, March 9th). Acquisition of multiple languages from an early age is common throughout the EU for all levels of ability.
The current overhaul of the primary curriculum also presents the opportunity to align the teaching of Irish with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The CEFR scale runs from no initial knowledge to level A1 (basic user) after 80 to 100 hours, to level A2 (upper basis user) after a further 160 to 200 hours and onwards to levels B1, B2, C1 and C2.
There is no reason why a student in an English-medium primary school could not achieve at least an A2 level of upper basic user in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Irish by sixth class at the latest.
Students who progress at different rates could be grouped by ability rather than by year as opposed to the current system of exemptions which denies students access to Irish and is not found in the Welsh education system in relation to that country’s minoritised native language.
It is clear that the teaching of Irish at primary level is not optimal with many students and their parents feeling that not much is achieved after eight years of work. Reducing contact hours as is currently proposed is not the answer. Many teachers feel unsupported and without the necessary skills in the spoken language in particular. Teachers need to get the contact hours in the colleges of education and by way of continuing professional development to achieve and maintain at least a B2 level on the CEFR scale (upper intermediate) to enable them to teach the language effectively.
Public opinion is squarely behind the effective teaching of Irish in our schools. The adoption of the Common European Framework of Reference at primary level would bring clarity as to what is expected and what has been achieved for both student and teachers. – Is mise,
DÁITHÍ Mac CÁRTHAIGH,
Baile Átha Cliath 7.