Integrate Ireland Language and Training
Southern Education and Library Board
In both parts of Ireland primary education faces the challenge and opportunity of integrating increasing numbers of pupils whose mother tongue is neither English nor Irish. The two jurisdictions have adopted different approaches to the development of such pupils’ proficiency in English as the language of education. The whole island faces the challenge of creating an inclusive primary school culture: one that not only welcomes children whose language is not English, and whose culture and ethnicity are not Irish, but turns linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity to the educational advantage of all. This book is a contribution to that essential process.