Opportunity for Irish learners to achieve TEG qualifcation
May 20, 2013
The European Certificate in Irish (TEG) and Oideas Gael are coming together to give Irish students the opportunity to get recognition for their work whilst attending Oideas Gael courses this summer.
TEG will offer official certification for language skills obtained while attending Oideas Gael courses. During summer 2013, TEG will be conducting oral exams in Gleann Cholm Cille where learners will have the choice to take these exams while studying with Oideas Gael. The exams will take place on 22 June, 6 July and 20 July.
Since its foundation in 2005, European Certificate in Irish is the first and only certification system for Irish for adults. TEG is aimed at anyone with an interest in learning Irish, and over 2,500 people from Ireland and abroad have taken the exams since their foundation. TEG recognition is very helpful in the working world, is among the entry requirements for Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, The Teaching Council, The Fulbright Commission, The Department of Education and Skills; and the Colleges of Education: Marino Institute of Education, St. Patrick’s College of Education, Mary Immaculate College of Education and Hibernia College.
TEG exams will be available at the following levels at Oideas Gael:
A1 – Elementary 1
A2 – Elementary 2
B1 – Intermediate 1
B2 – Intermediate 2 (20 July only)
C1 – Advanced 1 (20 July only)
There will be a cost of €50 on TEG examinations through Oideas Gael, and to register for an exam go to www.teg.ie. Advice on the appropriate level of test a candidate should undertake is available from Oideas Gael teachers, as well as TEG staff in NUI Maynooth. More information is available on TEG’s website www.teg.ie, at teanga@nuim.ie or on 01 7086417.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Grassroots Gaelic
May 17, 2013
Crawford Mackie’s letter about research into Gaelic language education (14 May) was redolent of the type of blustering train crash which generally occurs when prejudice comes up against scientific research.
After a scattergun ad hominem attack on the academics involved, Mr Mackie questioned the sample size of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, while indicating that if Bòrd na Gàidhlig had funded its own survey it would be, in his view, invalid.
It appears he would rather no research was carried out and that opinions, most likely his own, were given free sway. And to the 91 per cent majority of adult respondents who did not give a “satisfactory” answer to the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, Mr Mackie can only give a patronising response.
We are told they “will not be considering the cost”, as if Mr Mackie himself was aware of their considerations as they responded to the survey. The letter descended from there into further absurdity.
I do have some sympathy with the rage such research must engender in those who would rather eradicate the language, proving as it does, that they too are a minority – in the case of Mr Mackie’s view on Gaelic- medium education, one of only 8 per cent, give or take the margin of error.
Gaelic-medium education is one of the great grassroots success stories of Scottish education of recent generations, being led at all times by parents demanding that their children too should be afforded the right to a bilingual education.
Mr Mackie may want to homogenise Scotland but I, and it would seem 91 per cent of others, disagree.
Aonghas Mac Leòid
Malloch Street
Glasgow
The debate about whether or not Gaelic should be taught in Scottish schools is becoming somewhat aggressive in tone.
Many of those who are against it argue that Gaelic is a pointless, inward-looking language that is of no use to anyone out there in the real world. It would be more useful, they say, for children to learn languages such as Spanish, French, German and even Chinese.
Some of those who are fighting for Gaelic in schools argue that it is a unique and important feature of Scottish culture and that funding should be preserved so that it can be taught to as many children as possible. Surely the truth and a workable solution are somewhere in between. Nobody reasonable should be arguing that being able to speak Gaelic will help anyone get a well-paid job or to do dazzling trade in other countries, but there is more to life than making money.
There are many skills and experiences that young people can gather which contribute to the richness of their character and society. Whether we are for independence or not, we have good reasons to be proud of our country, and preserving its language is a crucial part of that.
When languages die out, that’s that. They’re gone forever. We can’t let that happen.
Morag Gregory
Kersland Street
Glasgow
www.scotsman.com
Principal appointed to new gaelscoil in Kildare
May 16, 2013
A new Gaelscoil will open in Kildare town in 2013 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta. The new Gaelscoil will be an Irish-medium school that is co-educational with a multi-denominational spiritual characteristic.
The new school will be located in the VEC secondary school in Kildare town which is currently accommodating Educate Together. An Foras Patrúnachta is still accepting applications for places in the new school. Parents who are interested in this school can get an application form here.
The application form should be completed and posted to An Foras Patrúnachta, Bloc K3, Campus Gnó Mhaigh Nuad, Maigh Nuad, Co. Chill Dara as soon as possible.
Meet the new principal: Norma Ní Chonchúir
“I am from Kerry originally. I completed my B. Ed in Mary Immaculate College and a Masters in Education in NUI Maynooth.
“I moved to Kildare eight years ago when I got my first job and have been teaching in Gaelscoil Chill Dara since. It has been a brilliant eight years in a school which provides a very high standard of education.
“I decided to be a teacher because I love working with children and I myself had a very positive experience at school. I had excellent teachers who gave me great encouragement. I also have a great love for the Irish language and I am very interested in promoting it.
“It is a great opportunity and great honour for me to be the principal of the new Gaelscoil in Kildare town. I am really looking forward to taking up this position. There is a great demand for education through Irish in the area and it is brilliant that this new school is opening to cater for that demand.
“The new Gaelscoil will be an multidenominational school. An excellent standard of education will be provided in an environment that is positive, enjoyable and open. My aim is to nurture a respectful atmosphere, a place where children are encouraged and confident, a place where they will learn the life skills they will need as citizens of this country.”
Gaelscoil na Giúise principal appointed
May 16, 2013
A new Gaelscoil will open in the Firhouse area in 2013 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta. Gaelscoil na Giúise will be an Irish-medium school that is co-educational with a multi-denominational spiritual characteristic.
An Foras Patrúnachta is still accepting applications for places in the new school. Parents who are interested in this school can get an application form below.
The application form should be completed and posted to An Foras Patrúnachta, Bloc K3, Campus Gnó Mhaigh Nuad, Maigh Nuad, Co Chill Dara as soon as possible.
An Foras Pátrúnachta, the new school’s patron, campaigned for a Gaelscoil in the Tallaght area in 2011 and received significant parental support. An Foras Pátrúnachta then submitted an application for patronage of the new school in October, 2011.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn announced in March 2012 the patronage for the new primary schools opening in September, 2012 and September, 2013. An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted to be the patron of three new Gaelscoileanna, including Tallaght, opening in 2012 and 2013.
Meet the new principal: Fionnuala Ní Riain
“I am from Balinteer originally. I attended Scoil Naithí and then Coláiste Íosagáin in Stillorgan. I decided to be a teacher as I always had an interest in education and I always wanted to work with children. My father is a secondary school teacher and education has been in both sides of my family for generations.
“I completed a BA in Irish and History (UCD) in 2001 and a Masters in Business and Information Technoloy (DCU) in 2002. I completed my Higher Diploma in Primary School Education in 2005 and this year I am studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support & Special Needs (2002).
“I have been teaching in Gaelscoil Bharra, Cabra for the past 10 years. I am really looking forward to the new job at Gaelscoil na Giúise and I feel I am ready for the challenge. Gaelscoil Bharra was a relatively new school when I started teaching and as a result, I have the experience of working in a school which is growing and developing.
“I would like to nurture a school which is at the heart of the area and which aims to provide excellent education to every child. I would like to help the children develop their talents in such a way that we would be spreading Irish culture around the area agus encouraging local people to use their Irish. I would like to nurture a school which takes part in sports and music events, drama and more.”
Principal appointed to new gaelscoil in Stepaside
May 16, 2013
A new Gaelscoil will open in the Stepaside area in 2013 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta. The new Gaelscoil will be an Irish-medium school that is co-educational with a multi-denominational spiritual characteristic.
The new school will be located in Aiken’s Village. An Foras Patrúnachta is still accepting applications for places in the new school. Parents who are interested in this school can get an application form here.
The application form should be completed and posted to An Foras Patrúnachta, Bloc K3, Campus Gnó Mhaigh Nuad, Maigh Nuad, Co Chill Dara as soon as possible.
An Foras Pátrúnachta, the new school’s patron, campaigned for a Gaelscoil in the Stepaside area in 2011 and received great parental support. An Foras Pátrúnachta then submitted an application for patronage of the new school in October, 2011.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn announced in March 2012 the patronage for the new primary schools opening in September, 2012 and September, 2013. An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted to be the patron of three new Gaelscoileanna, including Stepaside, opening in 2012 and 2013.
Meet the new principal: Conchúr Ó Raghallaigh
“I was born and raised in Clondalkin and am currently living in Lucan. I have a love and a passion for education. I believe in it’s benefits. I enjoy encouraging people and I recognise children’s independence and individuality.
“I have a degree in English an Economics, a Higher Diploma in Primary Education and I am currently finishing a Postgraduate Diploma in educational leadership in NUI Maynooth.
“To date, I have spent my teaching career in Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Lucan. I have taught children at every level from infants to sixth class. I have learned a lot in this school and I hope to use my experience effectively in Stepaside.
“I am looking forward to the challenge which this job will bring. I am also looking forward to encouraging the Irish language in Stepaside. I think this is a great chance for use to develop the language among the young people!! On a personal note, I am looking forward to the professional development that I will make in this school.
“I am very proud to take on this new role. We will have a very high standard of education in Stepaside with an emphasis on the celebration of the talents and individuality of the children.”
Turais do scoileanna SAOR IN AISCE! – Ionad Cuairteoirí Uiscebhealaí Éireann
May 16, 2013
Conamara students are on the right frequency
May 16, 2013
Students from Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán, Co Galway, are on the right frequency, having won third prize in the national radio programme competition, Comórtas Clár Raidió Gael Linn 2013.
This popular competition is organised annually by Gael Linn, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, to promote new radio talent among transition year students in particular.
The prize winners were announced during a special edition of the programme SBB Tráthnóna which was broadcast on Friday, May 10, on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, which sponsor the competition.
Adjudicator Seán Ó hÉanaigh, head of programmes at the station,chose the national winners and said he was extremely impressed with the high standard achieved by the entrants and with the wide variety of topics covered within the programmes.
Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán, Conamara, Co.Galway, won the third prize of €350 for their informative programme, An Ceathrú Cuid, that documented their experience of the transition year, and the various activities in which the students were involved, such as rock climbing, pancake making, and music.
Máirín Uí Choileáin was the teacher who helped the students to put the programme together.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta hopes to broadcast the winning programmes in their entirety over the coming weeks. The winning entries can be listened to on www.gael-linn.ie.
www.galwayadvertiser.ie
Ciorcal Comhrá i dTamhlacht
May 16, 2013
Anseo – The new Irish language App creating the digital gaeltacht
May 16, 2013
Anseo is a new Irish language App. created by Diaga Ltd. and aimed at the Irish language community around the country. But who, specifically is it aimed at? And what are the benefits of signing up to the App?
There are two main types of membership: Individual users and group users. These groups include businesses, community groups, schools and any other organisations that use Irish. This means that individual users can see other users as well as the group users on a map, and, of course, contact them.
But there is more, this App. is location aware as it uses GPS. This means that the App. is focused on the community level. For example, a user in Galway City can open the App and immediately see all the other individual users around them as well as all the Irish language groups and organisations (businesses, schools, community groups, etc.) in the city. The user will then be able to contact other users.
So what benefits do gaelscoileanna and gaelcholáistí get from this App? The answer is simple: Visibility. Thousands of users, both in Ireland and abroad, and specifically in your local area will be able to see your school. Among those users will be Irish speakers, learners, parents and many others, all of whom with the ability to see where the school is and all the events that it organises or participates in.
Often, the success of a new school depends on visibility and, at the same time, the success of the Irish language depends on education. Anseo App. is designed to promote the Irish language and bring the language community together, but it will not be able to do this without help from the Irish language community itself. For these and many more reasons, sign up to www.anseoapp.com now and help us create the digital gaeltacht.
New School Building For Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh
May 16, 2013
The Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh wishes to confirm that it has accepted a revised proposal from the Department of Education and Skills in relation to its proposed school building project.
The Department of Education and Skills has confirmed to the board that their revised proposal will involve the:
- Relocation of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh to a greenfield site in the Knocknacarra area. The Department is currently in the process of identifying a suitable site.
- Progression of a 24 classroom new school building for Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh to architectural planning and construction on that site under the current 5 year capital building programme of the Department.
- Continuation of Bishop Martin Drennan as Patron of the school.
The Department has also acknowledged the preference of the Board of Management that the new school site will also accommodate a Naíonra and have confirmed that they will endeavour to identify and acquire a site that can accommodate a Naíonra. The Board of Management are satisfied that this will be the case.
“In warmly welcoming this very positive development the Board of Management paid tribute to all those who supported the school in its campaign to secure appropriate accommodation over the last year, especially parents , staff, public representatives and the wider community of Knocknaccarra. The Board of Management now look forward to working in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with the Department of Education and Skills to progress the project as quickly as possible. The Board also said the development was timely in that it will bring clarity and certainty to parents, Patrons and the wider community in relation to the issue of additional school places in the Knocknacarra area at a time when the Department of Education and Skills have just commenced a public consultation process with regard to the patronage of a new school for the area”.
For further information please contact the school @ 091 590152
