Sir, – Could "Ireland's aversion to learning other people's languages" (Editorial, "Being good neighbours", August 26th) have anything to do with the inordinate time spent studying Irish, still a compulsory subject through primary and secondary school? Without the obligatory requirement to study Irish, many parents might prefer to have their children study a modern continental language.
Following the pattern of decline of the Irish language over the years, it is becoming a non-living language outside of the classroom. Apart from high-achieving students who will study the subject for cultural and heritage reasons, many other students will experience literacy problems and struggle through the years of learning the complexities of the language.
An Irish module involving a study of our earlier civilisation, our traditions, music, customs, etc, could be a suitable alternative for many students.
The children photographed starting school on the first page of the same edition will spend 2.5 hours each week studying Irish in infant class and 3½ hours each week in higher classes, followed by daily classes in secondary school for a further five or six years. As they complete their Leaving Cert in 2035, what benefits will have accrued to these children from this study as by then they are unlikely to use the language naturally? – Yours, etc,
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KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.