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Concern that teaching a foreign language in primary schools would affect English and Irish literacy

The article from MSN discusses the concerns raised by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) regarding the potential impact of introducing a foreign language in primary schools on the literacy levels of English and Irish. The INTO has expressed worries that adding another language to the curriculum could dilute the focus on core literacy skills in these two languages, which are already struggling in terms of proficiency among students. The INTO's general secretary, John Boyle, highlighted the existing challenges in teaching English and Irish effectively, suggesting that introducing a third language might exacerbate these issues. This concern comes in light of a government proposal to include foreign language education in primary schools, aiming to enhance linguistic diversity and prepare students for a globalized world. However, the INTO argues for a careful consideration of the educational implications, emphasizing the need to prioritize and strengthen literacy in the native languages first.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-ie/education-and-learning/primary-education/concern-that-teaching-a-foreign-language-in-primary-schools-would-affect-english-and-irish-literacy/ar-AA1vDcZy ]