A chara, - Enda Kenny's contribution to the debate on how Irish is taught in our school is timely (Opinion & Analysis, March 25th). As with any subject, the nuts and bolts to be addressed are how teachers are trained and how the subject is then taught.
Ireland is committed, as are all EU countries, to the aim that school-leavers should be competent in their national language plus two others. To achieve this aim it is vital that students are required to study (as opposed to sit or pass exams in) three languages to Leaving Cert level.
Most subjects can be crammed: the fact that crammer schools are major feeders for our universities bears this point out. A language, however, is a skill to be acquired by practice.
When offered the choice of a crammer subject over a language, students under pressure of points and time take the crammer. Students' subject choices are dictated by expedience, not by love. Consider how many schools would drop Irish entirely, denying students that choice.
Countries which are successful in turning out polyglots use second and third languages as media of instruction in the classroom. When, as is often the case in Ireland, student learn about a language (grammar, translating literature, etc.) rather than the language itself, they come away discouraged.
It is testament to our ongoing connection with Irish that so many do become fluent - many more than in continental languages - usually by means of immersion summer courses: a method too effective for use in our schools, it would seem.
Requiring a lower level of Irish from primary teachers can only lead to falling standards: how can one teach what one doesn't know? A year-long immersion course in the language's heartland is vital to build ability and confidence for all our language teachers, be that in Cologne, Cannes or An Cheathrú Rua.
Mr Kenny achieved fluency in Irish. All Irish people should have the same opportunity. - Is mise,
DÁITHÍ MAC CÁRTHAIGH, Tánaiste, Conradh na Gaeilge, Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2.