Cross-age Teaching and Plurilingualism

This book examines the feasibility of realising the plurilingual vision of the Barcelona Summit Agreement (mother tongue + two additional languages) through the second-level education system by employing three strategies: 1) harmonising post-primary modern foreign language (MFL) classes in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) through crossage 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 top-down and bottom-up language policy and planning. Achieving ‘Mother Tongue + 2’ through an education system is not without precedent – it is already a reality in the European Schools system. This book investigates how elements of their model could be integrated into the Irish education system and other largely monolingual contexts. It also 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 re-envisioning how education systems can foster truly plurilingual students, particularly academics and practitioners in fields including language education and assessment, CLIL, language policy and planning, applied linguistics, minority language revitalisation, and the European Schools system. Aspiring MFL teachers and school leaders, parents, and language enthusiasts will also find it thought-provoking.

Edward P. Flynn has over two decades of experience in language education in Ireland and the European Schools system. He has taught modern foreign languages at second level and university level and has served as the Director of an Accredited European School. Edward holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies from Maynooth University, Ireland, and is passionate about advancing innovative approaches to language teaching, learning, and assessment.