[lg policy] Ireland: Call to prioritise languages in schools

[Harold Schiffman]

Call to prioritise languages in schools


CONOR POPE

THE ABSENCE of a coherent language-learning strategy in primary and
secondary schools is damaging the State’s competitiveness
internationally, according to a new report.  The National Languages
Strategy document, compiled by the Royal Irish Academy’s committee for
modern language, literary and culture studies, pointed out that the
Republic was the only country in Europe, with the exception of
Scotland, where a foreign language was not compulsory at any stage in
the main education curriculum.

According to the report, Ireland has the highest proportion of
citizens in the EU who say they do not know any other language apart
from their native tongue. It said an increased emphasis on language
learning for children as young as four would strengthen creativity,
empathy and problem-solving skills. It warned that “one of the biggest
threats facing language education in Ireland is the gradual erosion of
the NUI third language matriculation requirement.”

It said that if students were not required to prove a certain degree
of competence in a language other than Irish and English as a
requirement for attending university, it “would have serious
consequences for the sustainability of languages at all levels, a
situation which would ultimately undermine Ireland’s status and
competitiveness in global terms”.

According to the report, the Department of Education needs to
“formulate a coherent languages in education policy” and provide
“adequate resources” as a matter of urgency. Prof Maeve Conrick of the
academy expressed optimism that the report would be welcomed by the
Government, particularly as many of the recommendations could be
implemented at little cost to the exchequer.

“While we would like to see greater emphasis placed on teacher
training and would love to be able to equip schools with the latest
computer-aided language learning technology, we don’t expect a huge
investment to be made available,” she said.

“All the research shows that the earlier you start learning a language
the better you are at it,” she said, and added that there were ways of
“rejigging the system” to facilitate classes during the regular school
day.

She said the research showed that language learning was linked to
enhanced skills, including greater empathy and creativity and improved
problem solving, “all of which are essential when it comes to
innovation”.

She said that while it would be easier to introduce French into the
system because more graduates had competency in that language, it did
not really matter which languages students were taught.

“There are real and tangible benefits irrespective of what the
language being taught is,” Prof Conrick said.

STRONG LANGUAGE: THE WORD ON THE STREET

Michele Harnett, Rathcoole, Co Dublin : I think it’s an advantage to
have a second language, at least. I always thought that having another
language was an asset. And sometimes the only way you can get people
to learn them is if it’s compulsory.

Catrina Scullion, music teacher from Ballymena, Co Antrim, lives in
Dublin I’m an opera singer so I should have better languages but to
sing I can understand Italian and German but I wouldn’t be able to
speak them. If there had been better language facilities in school
then I might have had a little bit more than just the conversational
French.

Sam Mulcahy, Blackrock, Dublin, TCD student: It’s a bit of a leap
having to take on a third language after Irish and English, it’s a bit
of a leap in secondary school unless you have an interest in it [but]
I would definitely encourage it, for travel, for understanding culture
better.

Tim Cahill, Glenageary, Dublin, English student at TCD: I would have
liked to have been taught from the age of eight or so. I didn’t
actually start until I was nearer 13.”

Elizabeth Conroy, Golden Bridge, Dublin: I think for business perhaps,
especially when dealing with other countries, it’s easier if you want
to do business with them to speak their language. I know a lot speak
English but maybe if you’re looking for the business it’s better if
you speak their language.

Vera Kilshaw, Chapelizod, Dublin: It’s always handy to have another
language, isn’t it? I learned French but I wouldn’t be able to speak
it.

“From the beginning, I say, from primary school. Introduce it in
primary school.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1006/1224305331086.html

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