Primary schools will close for one extra day in each of the next three years to train teachers to introduce a new language curriculum.

The curriculum – due to be phased in from next September – is for children in junior infants through to second class. It will focus on the development of oral language, reading and writing skills.

For the first time, there will be no distinction in how the teaching and learning in English and Irish as languages are approached. Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan said that while the school closures may prove inconvenient for some parents, the long-term benefits of bedding down the new language curriculum were “immense”.

“The success of any curriculum change relies on dedicated, engaged teachers. It is important that they receive the continuous professional development necessary to deliver this new language curriculum to our young children.”

She said the changes amounted to a significant and welcome reform of how our youngest pupils learn their language skills. “The new curriculum establishes very clear learning outcomes and development milestones for our young children through both languages.”

Oral language

From next September, the focus will be on the implementation of the oral language strand. The following year the emphasis will move to the new reading and writing strands. All strands of the new curriculum will be taught to children in junior infants to second classes by September 2018.

A spokesman for the Minister said a circular detailing the main points of the new primary language curriculum were sent to schools yesterday and are available on Department of Education website (www.education.ie).