Gaelscoil Aonach says ‘yes’ to languages
Over 100 primary pupils from Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan will take part in the Say Yes to Languages primary sampler module this term. The language module has been made available for a fourth year, following an extension by the Department of Education.
Say Yes to Languages has grown considerably over the past four years, with a total of over 1,300 schools and their pupils taking part throughout this time. The module offers an introduction into a variety of modern foreign languages (MFL) as well as Irish Sign Language (ISL) and seeks to raise awareness among pupils of the languages spoken in their school environment and local community.
Over 1,200 primary schools took part last year, with Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Irish Sign Language (ISL), Japanese, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian being taught in classrooms across the country. Pupils from Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan will be saying ‘sí’ to Spanish. The programme will be delivered within the normal school timetable over a 10-week period, which is an increase of two weeks from previous years.
Speaking about the module, Principal Bríd Uí Shlatara comments: “We are thrilled that our pupils are participating in the ‘Say Yes to Languages’ programme this year.
With two languages spoken within our school community, this module offers a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of different languages and cultures while also enhancing their transversal skills.” Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan’s tutor of the programme this year will be Angel Catala-Sempere who also tutors student teachers in the University of Limerick.
“It is an engaging, fun, interactive module that is designed to foster a lasting relationship with languages among pupils. It provides valuable benefits to our pupils, which will hopefully support them throughout their lives, equipping them with essential language skills for the future.”
The growth in interest in foreign language learning in primary has been supported by the publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework which will introduce modern foreign languages (MFL) within the primary school setting in a redeveloped Primary Language Curriculum.
Speaking about the programme, the former Minister for Education, Norma Foley, commented: “Learning a Modern Foreign Language will form part of the primary school experience for pupils over the coming years, in line with the Primary Curriculum Framework.
The future inclusion of foreign languages in the primary curriculum will be informed by the delivery of Say Yes to Languages and we look forward to another successful running of the module.”
A suite of resources has been produced by Languages Connect who are overseeing Say Yes to Languages. These include teaching resources for teachers and other supports such as ‘Language Passports’, fun foldouts and more for all participating pupils to show their family and friends. Packs have been sent to participating schools to help support both teaching and learning, but also the awareness-raising objectives of the programme.
Languages Connect promotes the personal, social, professional and economic benefits of foreign language skills to principals, teachers, guidance counsellors, parents and students.
Funded by the Department of Education and facilitated by Post Primary Languages Ireland, it is a key objective of Languages Connect – Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026. For all the latest updates check out www.languagesconnect.ie or follow us on social media.