Make Irish Sign Language examinable

SSU Statement: Students’ Union backs calls for ISL to be examinable for Leaving Certs

The ISSU fully supports students advocating for Irish Sign Language (ISL) to become an examinable subject. As one of Ireland's national languages, alongside Irish and English, students should have the right to be able to sit ISL as an exam. Currently, 15 languages are examinable at Leaving Certificate level without curricula. We acknowledge building a curriculum for ISL will take time given its differences from other languages however it is important that whilst the NCCA works on building this strong system that students will be given an alternative to be examined in ISL like the many other languages without curricula. This not only starts the process of investigating the best way to design an ISL curriculum but will allow students a start towards a more inclusive education sooner.

ISSU’s Oifigeach an Mhíchumais (Disability Officer) Kayleigh McNamara says:

“It is sad that today we still don’t accommodate students wanting to sit Irish Sign Language on their Leaving Certificate. We recognise ISL as one of our national languages and ISL is many students’ first language, yet they are deprived of the opportunity to sit this at Leaving Certificate.  The Leaving Certificate includes various languages to accommodate those spoken by students outside of school. Languages in the Senior Cycle are important, as many higher education institutions require students to have an additional language for admission. Excluding ISL as an option restricts students who want to use their first language to gain entry to college through the CAO, it also discriminates against deaf students by forcing them to rely on secondary languages throughout their education"

By adding Irish Sign Language to the list of examinable languages, we support deaf students in their education. This would help to foster a more inclusive education system and help ensure that, as students leave secondary school, they have equal opportunities in the future of their education”.