Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This research project investigates the issues that are contributing to the current decline in uptake of A-Level German in Northern Ireland. There has been some research surrounding the low uptake of Modern Foreign Languages in Northern Ireland, but with very little emphasis on the specific reasons for such a low uptake of German in particular. To further investigate the causes for the decline, secondary material was consulted. A series of interviews was then carried out with current leading practitioners in German teaching. The thoughts and beliefs expressed in secondary material were contrasted with the data collected from the interviews.
The primary research confirmed the concern from secondary material that assessments play a role in the declining trend. However, secondary material suggested that overharsh marking is the issue, but rather experienced educators believe that it is actually the challenging content and the way in which students are being assessed. Information collected from the interviews also suggested that the key reasons for the decline in uptake is the lack of provision of German at all levels of education, and lack of support from school communities and the local government. The research then concludes by calling for a shift in public attitudes towards learning German and for language education initiatives, similar to those in England, to be implemented by the government.

Course: Applied Languages - BA (Hons) - C0392

Date Deposited: 2024-10-23

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14461.html