1887
  1. Home
  2. e-Journals
  3. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education
  4. Online First Articles
  5. Online First Article
image of Equality of access to minority language assessments and interventions in immersion education
EPUB
PDF

Abstract

Abstract

In the Republic of Ireland (RoI), Irish is recognised as the first official language of the state. The public has the right to conduct all business with the state solely through the medium of Irish if they wish. The reality, however, is that many government bodies only provide services in English. This article discusses the language used for assessments and interventions for students with special educational needs (SEN) in Irish-medium (IM) primary and post-primary schools in the RoI. A mixed methods study was conducted, with teachers from schools ( = 56) completing an online questionnaire at first and then teachers ( = 32) undertaking semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that students in IM schools are not being afforded access to services in Irish and many challenges exist for these schools when meeting the SEN of students. Recommendations are made around how to strengthen educational policy and practice to enable IM teachers meet the needs of all students.

© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
2024-09-09
2024-10-06

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic/jicb.24011.nic.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Andrews, S.
    (2020) The additional supports required by pupils with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools. https://www.cogg.ie/wp-content/uploads/Additional-supports...-2.pdf
  2. Banks, J., & McCoy, S.
    (2011) A Study on the prevalence of special educational needs. https://www.esri.ie/publications/a-study-on-the-prevalence-of-special-educational-needs
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Bruck, M.
    (1978) The suitability of early French immersion programs for the language disabled child. Canadian Modern Language Review, (), –. 10.3138/cmlr.34.5.884
     https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.34.5.884 [Google Scholar]
  4. Central Statistics Office
    Central Statistics Office (2022) Press Statement Census 2022 Results Profile 8 — The Irish Language and Education. https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2023pressreleases/pressstatementcensus2022resultsprofile8-theirishlanguageandeducation/
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Clarke, V., & Braun, V.
    (2017) Thematic analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, (), –. 10.1080/17439760.2016.1262613
     https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1262613 [Google Scholar]
  6. Cooc, N., & Kiru, E. W.
    (2018) Disproportionality in special education: A synthesis of international research and trends. The Journal of Special Education, (), –. 10.1177/0022466918772300
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466918772300 [Google Scholar]
  7. Dhakal, K.
    (2022) NVivo. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, (), . 10.5195/jmla.2022.1271
     https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1271 [Google Scholar]
  8. Davies, E. N.
    (2023) Are children and young people with additional learning needs at a systemic disadvantage regarding Welsh language opportunities?Educational Psychology in Practice, (), –. 10.1080/02667363.2023.2186835
     https://doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2023.2186835 [Google Scholar]
  9. de Courcy, M.
    (2005) Policy challenges for bilingual and immersion education in Australia: Literacy and language choices for users of aboriginal languages, Auslan and Italian. International journal of bilingual education and bilingualism, (), –. 10.1080/13670050508668605
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050508668605 [Google Scholar]
  10. de Valenzuela, J. S., Bird, E. K. R., Parkington, K., Mirenda, P., Cain, K., MacLeod, A. A., & Segers, E.
    (2016) Access to opportunities for bilingualism for individuals with developmental disabilities: Key informant interviews. Journal of Communication Disorders, , –. 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.005
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.005 [Google Scholar]
  11. Department of Education
    Department of Education (2020) Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017–2022. https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/57458-policy-on-gaeltacht-education-2017-2022/
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Department of Education (DENI)
    Department of Education (DENI) (2011) Needs assessment & feasibility study for the development of high-level diagnostic tools in Irish for children with special educational needs in the Irish medium sector. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/14000/13/final_research_report_-_1_2012_Redacted.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Department of Education and Science
    Department of Education and Science (2007) Special education needs: A continuum of Support. https://assets.gov.ie/40642/674c98d5e72d48b7975f60895b4e8c9a.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Faulkner-Bond, M., & Sireci, S. G.
    (2015) Validity issues in assessing linguistic minorities. International Journal of Testing, (), –. 10.1080/15305058.2014.974763
     https://doi.org/10.1080/15305058.2014.974763 [Google Scholar]
  15. Gaeloideachas
    Gaeloideachas (2024) Statistics. https://gaeloideachas.ie/i-am-a-researcher/statistics/
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Genesee, F.
    (2007) French immersion and at-risk students: A review of research evidence. Canadian Modern Language Review, (), –. search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=47784802&site=ehostlive
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Genesee, F., & Fortune, T. W.
    (2014) Bilingual education and at-risk students. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, (), –. 10.1075/jicb.2.2.03gen
     https://doi.org/10.1075/jicb.2.2.03gen [Google Scholar]
  18. Government of Ireland
    Government of Ireland (2021) Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. https://www.coimisineir.ie/userfiles/files/A4921.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Hampton, S., Rabagliati, H., Sorace, A., & Fletcher-Watson, S.
    (2017) Autism and bilingualism: A qualitative interview study of parents’ perspectives and experiences. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, (), –. 10.1044/2016_JSLHR‑L‑15‑0348
     https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0348 [Google Scholar]
  20. Hick, P., Solomon, Y., Mintz, J., Matziari, A., Murchú, F. Ó., Hall, K., … & Margariti, D.
    (2019) Initial Teacher Education for Inclusion. Trim: National Council for Special Education. https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/04611_NCSE-Initial-Teacher-Education-RR27.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  21. IBM Corp
    IBM Corp (2020) IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (Version 27.0) [Computer software]. IBM Corp.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Irish Statute Book
    Irish Statute Book (1937) Constitution of Ireland. https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Kay-Raining Bird, E., Lamond, E., & Holden, J.
    (2012) Survey of bilingualism in autism spectrum disorders. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, (), –. 10.1111/j.1460‑6984.2011.00071.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00071.x [Google Scholar]
  24. Kay-Raining Bird, E., Genesee, F., & Verhoeven, L.
    (2016) Bilingualism in children with developmental disorders: A narrative review. Journal of communication Disorders, , –. 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.07.003
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.07.003 [Google Scholar]
  25. Kay-Raining Bird, E., Genesee, F., Sutton, A., Chen, X., Oracheski, J., Pagan, S., … & Sorenson Duncan, T.
    (2021) Access and outcomes of children with special education needs in Early French Immersion. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, (), –. 10.1075/jicb.20012.kay
     https://doi.org/10.1075/jicb.20012.kay [Google Scholar]
  26. Mac Donnacha, S.; Ní Chualáin, F.; Ní Shéaghdha, A.; Ní Mhainín, T.
    (2005) Staid Reatha na Scoileanna Gaeltachta: A Study of Gaeltacht Schools 2004. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta: Dublin, Ireland 2005.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Mady, C., & Arnett, K.
    (2009) Inclusion in French immersion in Canada: One parent’s perspective. Exceptionality Education International, (). 10.5206/eei.v19i2.7642
     https://doi.org/10.5206/eei.v19i2.7642 [Google Scholar]
  28. Marinova-Todd, S. H., Colozzo, P., Mirenda, P., Stahl, H., Bird, E. K. R., Parkington, K., … & Genesee, F.
    (2016) Professional practices and opinions about services available to bilingual children with developmental disabilities: An international study. Journal of Communication Disorders, , –. 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.004
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.004 [Google Scholar]
  29. May, S., & Hill, R.
    (2005) Māori-medium education: Current issues and challenges. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, (), –. 10.1080/13670050508668621
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050508668621 [Google Scholar]
  30. McAdory, S. E., & Janmaat, J. G.
    (2015) Trends in Irish-medium education in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 1920: Shifting agents and explanations. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, (), –. 10.1080/01434632.2014.969273
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2014.969273 [Google Scholar]
  31. Mulgrew, L., Duffy, O., & Kennedy, L.
    (2022) Assessment of minority language skills in English–Irish-speaking bilingual children: A survey of SLT perspectives and current practices. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, (), –. 10.1111/1460‑6984.12674
     https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12674 [Google Scholar]
  32. Murtagh, L., & Seoighe, A.
    (2022) Educational psychological provision in Irish-medium primary schools in indigenous Irish language speaking communities (Gaeltacht): Views of teachers and educational psychologists. British Journal of Educational Psychology, (), –. 10.1111/bjep.12499
     https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12499 [Google Scholar]
  33. National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
    National Council for Special Education (NCSE) (2010) Procedures used to Diagnose a Disability and to Assess Special Educational Needs: An International Review. https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5_NCSE_Diag_Ass.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  34. National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
    National Council for Special Education (NCSE) (2021) Special Classes. https://ncse.ie/special-classes-2#:~:text=Special%20classes%20are%20part%20of,within%20their%20local%20mainstream%20schools
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Ní Chinnéide, D.
    (2009) The special educational needs of bilingual (Irish-English) children. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/11010/7/de1_09_83755__special_needs_of_bilingual_children_research_report_final_version_Redacted.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Nic Aindriú, S., Ó Duibhir, P., Connaughton-Crean, L., & Travers, J.
    (2022) The CPD needs of Irish-medium primary and post-primary teachers in special education. Education Sciences, (), . 10.3390/educsci12120909
     https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120909 [Google Scholar]
  37. Nic Aindriú, S., Ó Duibhir, P., & Travers, J.
    (2021) A survey of assessment and additional teaching support in Irish immersion education. Languages, (), . 10.3390/languages6020062
     https://doi.org/10.3390/languages6020062 [Google Scholar]
  38. (2020) The prevalence and types of special educational needs in Irish immersion primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. European Journal of Special Needs Education, (), –. 10.1080/08856257.2020.1732109
     https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2020.1732109 [Google Scholar]
  39. Nic Aindriú, S.
    (2022) The reasons why parents choose to transfer students with special educational needs from Irish immersion education. Language and education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2021.1918707
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2021.1918707 [Google Scholar]
  40. O’Toole, C., & Hickey, T. M.
    (2013) Diagnosing language impairment in bilinguals: Professional experience and perception. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, (), –. 10.1177/0265659012459859
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0265659012459859 [Google Scholar]
  41. Ó Duibhir, P.
    (2018) Immersion education: Lessons from a minority language context (Vol.). Multilingual Matters. 10.21832/ODUIBH9832
     https://doi.org/10.21832/ODUIBH9832 [Google Scholar]
  42. Ó Murchadha, N. P.
    (2016) The efficacy of unitary and polynomic models of codification in minority language contexts: ideological, pragmatic and pedagogical issues in the codification of Irish. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, (), –. 10.1080/01434632.2015.1053811
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2015.1053811 [Google Scholar]
  43. O’Toole, C., & Hickey, T. M.
    (2013) Diagnosing language impairment in bilinguals: Professional experience and perception. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, (), –. 10.1177/0265659012459859
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0265659012459859 [Google Scholar]
  44. Pert, S., & Letts, C.
    (2003) Developing an expressive language assessment for children in Rochdale with a Pakistani heritage background. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, (), –. 10.1191/0265659003ct255oa
     https://doi.org/10.1191/0265659003ct255oa [Google Scholar]
  45. Pesco, D., MacLeod, A. A., Bird, E. K. R., Cleave, P., Trudeau, N., de Valenzuela, J. S., … & Verhoeven, L.
    (2016) A multi-site review of policies affecting opportunities for children with developmental disabilities to become bilingual. Journal of Communication Disorders, , –. 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.008
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2016.05.008 [Google Scholar]
  46. Selvachandran, Janani, Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird, Jessica DeSousa, and Xi Chen
    (2022) Special education needs in French immersion: A parental perspective of supports and challenges. International Journal of Bilingual Education And Bilingualism(), –. 10.1080/13670050.2020.1742650
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2020.1742650 [Google Scholar]
  47. Stow & Pert
    Stow & Pert. (n.d). SLT Assessment and Intervention: Best practice for children and young people in bilingual settings. https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/media/Project/RCSLT/best-practice-cyp-bilingual-settings
  48. Fortune, T. W., & Tedick, D. J.
    (Eds.) (2008) Pathways to multilingualism: Evolving perspectives on immersion education. Multilingual Matters. 10.21832/9781847690371
     https://doi.org/10.21832/9781847690371 [Google Scholar]
  49. Turner, S. F., Cardinal, L. B., & Burton, R. M.
    (2017) Research design for mixed methods: A triangulation-based framework and roadmap. Organizational research methods, (), –. 10.1177/1094428115610808
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428115610808 [Google Scholar]
  50. Údarás na Gaeltachta
    Údarás na Gaeltachta (2024) The Gaeltacht. https://udaras.ie/en/our-language-the-gaeltacht/the-gaeltacht/
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Ware, J., Lye, C. B., & Kyffin, F.
    (2015) Bilingualism and students (learners) with intellectual disability: A review. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, (), –. 10.1111/jppi.12124
     https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12124 [Google Scholar]
  52. Wise, N.
    (2011) Access to special education for exceptional students in French immersion programs: An equity issue. Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics, (), –.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Yu, B.
    (2013) Issues in bilingualism and heritage language maintenance: Perspectives of minority-language mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811191601id_/reseauconceptuel.umontreal.ca/rid=1NHQ9NWC5-1DM1FXJ-1LW/BEAUDRY-SYLVESTRE_Sandrine_vignette6_Article.pdf
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
Loading
Equality of access to minority language assessments and interventions in immersion education
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
/content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
/content/journals/10.1075/jicb.24011.nic
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: immersion ; resources ; assessment ; special educational needs ; interventions

Most Cited

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error