Language Pathways

As young people move through the various stages of the education system, they continue to develop their linguistic repertoire. The 1 + 2 Language Policy creates an entitlement for every child to start learning an additional language in the education system from P1 onwards, with the L3 introduced no later than P5:

• There are advantages to starting to learn a language in the early years, for example in influencing the neurological pathways which process language, some of these advantages might not be seen until there has been a substantial input.
• Starting age is not necessarily a predictor of language outcomes.
• The quality and quantity of input in both types of language learning influences the overall language learning outcomes.
• There are similarities and differences between naturalistic and instructed language learning.
• Continuity and progression between primary and secondary stages, as well as positive language learning experiences, are contributing factors in maintaining student motivation.

back