Cross-age Teaching and Plurilingualism

This book examines the feasibility of realising the plurilingual vision of the Barcelona Summit Agreement (mother tongue plus two additional languages) through the  second-level education system by employing three strategies: 1) harmonising postprimary modern foreign language (MFL) classes in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) through cross-age teaching; 2) replacing the current state second-level MFL exams with CEFR international exams; and 3) implementing Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). Taking Ireland as a microcosm of broader international practice, it analyses the impediments that hinder students from reaching their plurilingual potential within the education system and makes the case for a well-defined framework of topdown and bottom-up language policy and planning. It also investigates how the European Schools system has successfully achieved ‘Mother Tongue + 2’. In addition, it explores how the strategies and recommendations put forward can play a key role in the revitalisation of minority languages, with a particular focus on the Irish language. This book will be of interest to a broad readership open to reenvisioning how education systems can foster truly plurilingual students.