In 2017, Ireland launched Languages Connect which focuses on promoting foreign languages at different educational levels in Ireland.
This strategy aimed to introduce and develop Chinese as a curricular subject as well as other less taught languages for Irish Senior Cycle students in the coming years.
Following this national language strategy action, Chinese has been set up as a two-year curricular programme since 2020 ((opens in a new window)Curriculum Online, 2020). In June of 2022, near 300 students took the first ever Leaving Certificate Chinese exam which is a state examination of the secondary school system and works as the university matriculation examination in Ireland.
More local news about Leaving Certificate Chinese exam can be found in the following links: