Young adults in Ireland are the least likely in the European Union to know a foreign language, latest official figures show.
In addition, among those aged 18-24 who know a foreign language, Irish people are the most likely in the EU to rank their knowledge level as “basic”.
The figures were compiled by the European Commission as part of its annual review of progress in education across member states.
While foreign language capacity is typically lower in English-speaking countries, some education figures are alarmed at a drop-off in the proportion of students learning European languages at second level.
For example, there has been a 10 per cent decline in the number of Leaving Cert candidates sitting exams in foreign languages over the last five years, down from 75 per cent to 65 per cent.
Decreases in French (-10 per cent) and German (-3 per cent) account for the bulk of the drop, although there has been an increase in Spanish (+4 per cent) and some minority languages.
The overall downward trend comes despite an ambitious strategy for the growth of foreign languages in education, launched in 2017, which aimed to boost the numbers studying foreign languages and increase proficiency within a decade.
The blueprint, Languages Connect, aimed to “promote a society where the ability to learn and use at least one foreign language is taken for granted, because of its inherent value for individuals, society and the economy”.
Some senior education figures privately say the growth in additional subjects at Leaving Cert level may be to blame for squeezing languages in some schools.
Others suggest the increased importance attached to Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) and difficulties finding qualified language teachers are key factors.
However, Karen Ruddock of Post-Primary Languages Ireland – which has been tasked by the Department of Education with boosting awareness of languages – said a range of initiatives are under way that are resulting in “increased interest and enthusiasm for foreign languages”.
These include the introduction of foreign languages to the primary curriculum from 2025 and new languages at second level including Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Lithuanian and Polish.
She also pointed to a dramatic increase in the proportion of transition year students taking part in its Think Languages event, a national celebration of languages and cultures, as a positive indicator.
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Síofra Pierse, associate professor in French and head of UCD’s school of languages, cultures and linguistics, said Ireland has been “out of sync” with the rest of Europe by leaving foreign language tuition until second level.
“On the Continent, they are learning English straight away from age of six up. They’ll always have that base and they may take on a second or third language,” she said.
She said the move to reintroduce foreign languages at primary – after being cut during the last recession – was a “fantastic” development, as was the growth in Gaelscoileanna, which gives children an advantage in acquiring additional languages.
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