T he introduction of the National Curriculum in England and Wales (DES, 1990) and the Northern Ireland Curriculum (DENI, 1992) has resulted in languages being an essential element of the curriculum up to the end of Key Stage 4. Some principals are concerned that if the language requirement is equated with French, languages other than French will disappear from the curriculum (Hewitt, 1998). At a time of greater European integration, when pupils are being encouraged to learn more than just one foreign language of the EU (Council of Europe, 1996), this would be an unacceptable position for school language departments. This article presents the findings of a research project which sought to establish the position of first foreign languages in the curriculum of pupils at Key Stage 3. The project, sponsored by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland, is the first comprehensive survey of the provision of languages offered in the post-primary sector in Northern Ireland.
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