Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 450: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of places which are available at each training institution to train teachers in the teaching of English as a second language; if such training is available for all teachers, not just language support teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24811/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The programmes in the Colleges of Education contain a number of elements aimed at enabling student teachers to address the various needs of all pupils in the classroom, including students whose first language is not English. In particular, all students undertake a course to prepare them to teach English in accordance with the revised primary school curriculum. Two modules of this course are taken in each year of the three year B. Ed. and it includes the teaching of English as an additional language for students. In addition, the Colleges of Education address the specific issues involved in the teaching of students whose first language is not English in a variety of ways. These include intercultural education, language acquisition and specialised courses in second language teaching. St. Patrick's College provides an elective course with a specific focus on teaching English as a second language. Coláiste Mhuire Marino and Mary Immaculate College Limerick are considering options to further address the issues involved.

In addition, Integrate Ireland Language and Training has been providing training to language support teachers to date and from 2004 to 2006 nearly 1,800 teachers attended the training courses provided.

Additional downloadable material is available from the Integrate Ireland Web site at www.iilt.ie.