Madam, – Caoimhghín Ó Croidheáin (Letters, January 20th) calls for Irish television stations to broadcast more European films and other programmes. I would hope we can soon take a leaf from our Nordic neighbours in terms of language education.
From an early age, children in these countries watch television programmes in English. As a result, their level is far superior to the level of the primary foreign language of the majority of Irish people. This proposal is not a multimillion euro investment; simply the addition of extra programmes in the schedule for children in French, German and Spanish, for example, would have huge benefits.
It is imperative that we change the idea that language is something that can solely be taught from age four, in the classroom. If we want people to embrace the culture outside the island of Ireland, we must start with being able to speak other languages.
The best way to achieve this is by targeting children through a medium they have access to and with content they can understand. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Caoimhghín Ó Croidheáin would like to see more European cinema and drama on Irish television. He will be hard-pressed to find any quality German-made television, as the airwaves here are also jammed with American television such as CSI, House, and Desperate Housewives.
The most popular programme in Germany at the moment is Big Brother. Well, at least it's European. – Yours, etc,