Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is this morning launching a China-centred teaching unit for transition-year students.
The unit has been developed by the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland and the Irish National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
It is designed to introduce students to both the traditional and modern aspects of Chinese culture and support those learning the language.
Speaking at the launch in Portlaoise this morning, Minister Quinn said it is his intention to have Chinese included in the Leaving Cert in due course.