Madam - As an educationist, I wish to congratulate Minister for Education Mary Hanafin on her swift action in regularising the teaching of English in gaelscoileanna.
The so-called "total immersion" system, avoiding any English in the curriculum for the first two years in primary school, angered many parents. The Minister's new directive requires all gaelscoileanna to teach English for 30 minutes each day, starting from the second term of junior infants.
Ms Hanafin rightly refuses to tolerate some schools adopting an à-la-carte approach to teaching English. By any standard, it was abuse in the extreme to deprive children of their legitimate right to instruction in the rudiments of the English language for two years of their school-going career - especially at such a critical stage of their linguistic development.
I hope the Minister will receive the unqualified support, not only all parents, but of all gaelscoil principals and boards of management. - Is mise,
PADRAIG O' BRIAIN Maigh Nuad, Co Cill Dara.
Madam, - In the context of Mary Hanafin's decision to order gaelscoileanna to teach two hours of English each day, may I bring to your attention the following? International research has consistently shown that second language immersion-education is very beneficial for children. Not only is it better than ordinary schooling in regard to the child's ability in the second language (in this case Irish), but it also improves the child's general linguistic skills to a degree not usually attained in non-immersion schools.
Furthermore, international research into second-language immersion education has shown that, while there is generally a slightly later onset, those at higher level in immersion primary schools have equal ability in reading and writing the first language (in this case English) to those who attend non-immersion schools. Even for a layperson the obvious assessment of such international research is that second-language immersion education generally provides children with superior linguistic skills to those attained in non-immersion schools.
Why the Minister should choose to ignore such internationally recognised best practice is baffling. I can only conclude that it stems poorly informed (or perhaps biased) advice, as it is unimaginable that the Minister would consciously want to undermine the excellent work done in gaelscoileanna. I would recommend her to talk to any of the former pupils of gaelscoileanna who work in her own Department or in other Government Departments. It would be interesting to note whether their English is any less cogent than that of their colleagues. I think not. - Yours, etc,
Dr CONCHUBHAR Ó CRUALAOICH, Ascaill Richmond, Baile na Gaoithe, Loch Garman.