Background, Rationale & Aims of the MLPSI

“This is a very exciting project, which will foster positive attitudes to language learning through the use of active learning approaches including drama, songs, and games and by promoting an awareness of being European among the pupils. It is my intention that classrooms participating in this project will be lively stimulating environments where there is a strong emphasis on enjoyment.”

Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister of Education, November 1997

Background 

The Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative has been in operation in many Irish primary schools since September 1998. It aims to introduce modern languages at primary level. The Initiative involves the introduction of Italian, Spanish, German and French into 5th and 6th classes. Initially set up by the Department of Education and Science (DES) as a Pilot Project scheduled to run for two years, the Project was then extended to run for a third year. In June 2001 the Pilot Project was designated a Modern Languages Initiative. It is currently in its eighth year.

Mr. Padraig MacFhlannchadha chairs the Project Management Committee, which manages the Modern Languages Initiative. The Project Management Committee reports to a Consultative Group made up of the Partners in Education, also chaired by Mr. MacFhlannchadha. A National Coordinator was appointed to steer the Initiative in September 2001. Ms. Tanya Flanagan was appointed to this position in December 2002. The Initiative is administered by Kildare Education Centre, under the directorship of Ms. Anne Kelleher and receives funding from the Department of Education and Science and the National Development Plan. During the initial two years, funding was also made available from the European Social Fund.

Project Leaders were appointed in 1998 to develop and support the programme. The Regional Project Leaders currently working in the four target language areas are Ms. Pascaline Horan (Italian), Ms. Kènia Puig-Planella (Spanish), Ms. Gina McQuaid and Ms.Catherine Mc Auliffe (German), Mr. Brendan Duignan, Ms.Aoife Winston and Ms. Frédérique Rantz (French). Their role is to facilitate and support Initiative teachers on the ground. Project Leaders design and deliver incareer development days on a regional basis and follow up this training with individual school visits. They evaluate language-teaching resources for the primary language class and develop materials specifically tailored for use in the Irish primary classroom.

Rationale

There are many reasons for an early start. Learning a language can develop self-esteem and confidence and enhance cultural awareness. Younger children are very receptive to new experiences. There is an educational value in that more time spent on a language means improved pronunciation skills and communicative competence in the long-term. It can promote autonomous learning. Across Europe many countries introduce a foreign language in third class of primary school education. In Ireland many schools already offered a foreign language as an extra curricular option outside the main timetable.

Aims

The Initiative aims to foster positive attitudes towards language learning, to encourage communication in the four target languages and to promote diversification in the range of languages taught. Further aims include the establishment of links between language teaching at first and second level. The Initiative also strives to enable a greater number of children in a wider range of school types to study Modern Languages in our primary schools (DES Circular 45/97).

Further Information on the MLPSI:

If you would like to receive a copy of the MLPSI's Progress Report 1998-2004, please contact the National Coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  / 045-530200.