http://www.gaelport.com/index.php?page=clippings&id=1479&viewby=date

quote:

Junior infants in Gaelscoileanna should not be taught any English in their first year of schooling, a state agency has proposed.

The controversial proposal has been made by an agency set up by the Department of Education and Science called COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta).

Education Minister Mary Hanafin is certain to reject the proposal. Her department recommends that all pupils get half an hour a day on a second language. She is currently seeking advice on whether or not this recommendation can be legally enforced.

I wonder whether the "certain to reject" is wishful thinking by the Independent. I certainly hope so.

A Aonghuis,

GRMA for that article. I assume that Junior infants is the same as preschool in America, in which it is a vital time for learning to get along well with others in your age group. That socialization should most definitely occurr in Irish only because it will encourage the kids to continue talking to their friends in Irish as they get bigger if they're used to doing it. I liked the point about how if kids are taught completely in Irish they will understand that they must learn it so they can communicate with the teacher since they don't know that the teacher can speak English, being as they've never heard her/him do it.

Beir bua agus beannacht

Didn't Mary Hanafin teach Gaeilge and History before going into politics?

Yes. At secondary level, and in an English medium school.

COGG's statement is here
http://www.cogg.ie/pdf/CNCM_LIT.pdf