27 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to encourage at a realistic level the teaching and speaking of continental languages in our schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13579/95]

The improvement of the teaching and learning of continental languages in our second-level schools has been one of my policy priorities since I became Minister. In the ongoing reform of the senior cycle programmes, continental languages are being included in phase one. New syllabuses were issued to schools last spring. At present, the in-career development unit of my Department is conducting a countrywide inser-vice programme to assist modern language teachers in implementing the new syllabuses. Practical Guidelines for Teachers have also been prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.