Direct method is the best way to teach Irish
March 24, 2011
THE mind boggles in relation to Felicity Scott’s letter (‘Teach Irish as a foreign language — because it is one,’ March 22).
It is indeed similar to a foreign language for a lot of people, but Ms Scott seems to be somewhat confused between how to teach a native language and how to teach a foreign one. The direct method has time and again been proven as the best method for teaching a foreign language. One could argue there is too much English used in Irish language classes and more of the direct method should be used. Isn’t it through this complete immersion that we see concrete results such as in the Gaelscoileanna and Summer Colleges?
Ms Scott then turns around and contradicts herself, vaunting the success of the Buntus cainte of old, which was a communicative method of immersion using no English. Don’t you think a little continuity should be introduced to the Irish language question if we are to make any progress?
CIARAN O CEALLAIGH,
AUDERGHEM, BRUXELLES
Irish Independent – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
Tuarascáil an Choimisinéara Teanga
March 24, 2011
An Chéad Chomhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Litríocht na nÓg (sa Ghaeilge)
March 24, 2011
Cosain an Cóimheas
March 23, 2011
Postanna i nGaelscoileanna faoi bhagairt
March 22, 2011
Over 50% of the country “able to speak Irish”
March 22, 2011
According to a recent opinion poll by Lastminute.com on language skills in Ireland, over half of those interviewed claimed to have fluent Irish.
The highest proficiency in Irish was observed amongst those in the 18-25 age group, with 56% claiming fluency.
1,000 participants were involved in this study, and the results showed that 54% of those in Connacht/Ulster were fluent in Irish, compared to 46% in Dublin,/Leintster. and 45% in Munster.
Of those who could speak Irish, 46% had spoken Irish in the past week, and 21% had spoken Irish in the past month. Of the 18-25 age group, 57% had spoken Irish the same week in which the survey was conducted.
This national survey conducted by Lastminute.com comes hot on the heels of an Ipsos/MRBI poll which was published in February, where 1,000 respondents over the age of 15 were interviewed about their attitude towards the Irish language, and its compulsory status at Leaving Cert level in particular.
57% of participants thought that it was important that children in Ireland are brought up learning Irish. Amongst the age group 25-34 69% thought it was important that children in Ireland are brought up learning Irish.
61% thought that Irish should be taught up to Leaving Certificate level. 65% felt that more subjects should be taught through Irish in primary schools to encourage children to use the language more often. And amongst the age group 15-24, 79% thought more subjects should be taught through Irish in primary schools.
In another question about the Leaving Certificate 61% thought that Irish should be compulsory up to Leaving Certificate Level.
The figures above demonstrate, that not only are Irish people supportive of the language, but that the majority support the teaching of Irish as a compulsory subject until Leaving Cert level, and that younger generations have a high level of fluency in the language. These results will give hope to the promotion of the Irish language in the future.
According to a recent opinion poll by Lastminute.com on language skills in Ireland, over half of those interviewed claimed to have fluent Irish.
The highest proficiency in Irish was observed amongst those in the 18-25 age group, with 56% claiming fluency.
1,000 participants were involved in this study, and the results showed that 54% of those in Connacht/Ulster were fluent in Irish, compared to 46% in Dublin,/Leintster. and 45% in Munster.
Of those who could speak Irish, 46% had spoken Irish in the past week, and 21% had spoken Irish in the past month. Of the 18-25 age group, 57% had spoken Irish the same week in which the survey was conducted.
This national survey conducted by Lastminute.com comes hot on the heels of an Ipsos/MRBI poll which was published in February, where 1,000 respondents over the age of 15 were interviewed about their attitude towards the Irish language, and its compulsory status at Leaving Cert level in particular.
57% of participants thought that it was important that children in Ireland are brought up learning Irish. Amongst the age group 25-34 69% thought it was important that children in Ireland are brought up learning Irish.
61% thought that Irish should be taught up to Leaving Certificate level. 65% felt that more subjects should be taught through Irish in primary schools to encourage children to use the language more often. And amongst the age group 15-24, 79% thought more subjects should be taught through Irish in primary schools.
In another question about the Leaving Certificate 61% thought that Irish should be compulsory up to Leaving Certificate Level.
The figures above demonstrate, that not only are Irish people supportive of the language, but that the majority support the teaching of Irish as a compulsory subject until Leaving Cert level, and that younger generations have a high level of fluency in the language. These results will give hope to the promotion of the Irish language in the future.
CAER conference – 24-26 March 2011
March 21, 2011
Téama – Áit na mionteangacha i bhforbairt an ilteangachais
Theme – The place of minority languages in the development of multilingualism
Ionad: Óstán Skylon, Baile Átha Cliath
Venue: The Skylon Hotel, Dublin
Clár/ Programme
24.3.11
17.00
Oscailt oifigiúil/ official opening
17.45
Muireann Ní Mhóráin, Príomhfheidhmeannach COGG – Stádas na Gaeilge sa chóras oideachais in Éireann/ The status of the Irish language in the education system in Ireland.
20.00
Dinnéar/ Dinner
25.3.11
10.00
David Little, Trinity College, Dublin – Developing plurilingual citizens in multilingual societies: the role of regional and minority languages
11.30
Tae/ caifé
12.00
Le cinntiú/ tbc – Dúshláin an ghaeloideachas in Éireann – impleachtaí d’oideachas mhiontheangacha san Eorap?/ Challanges to Irish-medium education in Ireland – implications for minority language education in Europe?
13.15
Lón/lunch
14.30
Painéal cainteoirí re téama – Straitéisí Rialtais agus tacaíochtaí d’fhorbairt an tumoideachas miontheangaigh– Tuaisceart Éireann, Tír na mBascach, An Bhreatain Bheag – cur i láthair 20 nóiméad an duine & plé oscailte/ panel of speakers about the theme – Government strategies and supports for the development of minority language immersion education- Northern Ireland (Seán Ó Coinn, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta), The Basque Country (Jasone Aldekoa Arana, Dep. Of Education, The Basque Autonomous Community ), Wales (Gari Lewis, Welsh Language Bord) – 20 minute presentation and open discussion
16.00
Críoch & tae/ caifé/ finish & tea/ coffee
16.30
Cur i láthair ó scoileanna an cheantair/ presentation from local schools
20.30
Dinnéar
25.9.10
10.00
Cruinniú Cinn Bliana CAER/ CAER AGM
12.30
Lón/ lunch
Suas le 40 Gaelscoil chun múinteoirí a chailleadh
March 21, 2011
Increase in pupil-teacher ratio
March 21, 2011
A chara, – There is a lot of focus during Seachtain na Gaeilge on the state of the language in the country. Gaelscoileanna are the most hopeful thing we have with regard to the promotion, learning and preservation of Gaeilge. Yet the Department of Education has announced a significant increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in Gaelscoileanna from next September.
I am chairperson of Gaelscoil Phádraig in Ballybrack, Co Dublin. According to the new schedule for appointment and retention of teachers, from September 2011 we will lose one post. Also on the basis of the old figures we would be entitled to employ an extra teacher meaning that our principal would not have to continue teaching a class and fulfilling an ever- increasing administrative role.
Gaelscoil Phádraig is in a disadvantaged area, but we do not have disadvantaged status which all other schools in the area have. We are housed on a small temporary site in prefab classrooms. How can anyone justify an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio of 20 pupils? Yes, an increase of 20. For example, according to the new schedule the number of pupils required to employ or maintain a 6th teacher rises from 153 to 173. How can the Department of Education defend that?
I have a great grá for Gaelscoil Phádraig and I am extremely proud of it. I see the great work being done by the teachers. I see the wonderful progress being made by the children. I see how happy they are and I hear them chatting to each other in Irish outside the classrooms. An increase of 20 in the pupil teacher ratio is not acceptable for these children. – Is mise,
HILDA de ROISTE,
(Cathaoirleach),
Gaelscoil Phádraig,
Ascaill Shíleann,
Baile Breac,
Co Átha Cliath.
Ruane: Teach Irish in every Northern Ireland school
March 21, 2011
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has caused fury after claiming that every school pupil in Northern Ireland should be given the opportunity to learn the Irish language.
In an outspoken interview with the Belfast Telegraph, the controversial minister also claimed that she wanted the local schools system brought closer together with that in the Republic – which would mean the scrapping of GCSE and A-level exams. And in remarks that will anger thousands of parents whose children are caught up in the confusion of the unregulated testing system for entrance to secondary schools, Ms Ruane declared that “the debate on academic selection is now over”. In 2009 the Belfast Telegraph launched its Sit Down, Sort It Out campaign which appealed for the Executive to put their differences aside to reach an agreed solution over transfer. This followed the decision to scrap the 11-plus without any agreed and regulated system of transferring between primary and secondary schools put in its place.
But far from showing any contrition over the uncertainty which surrounds the transfer process, Ms Ruane instead claimed that ending the 11-plus was her “proudest achievement”. Ms Ruane also blamed the grammar system for the high level of Northern Ireland pupils leaving education without basic qualifications – remarks which are sure to poison the relationship between schools and the minister even further. The minister told the Belfast Telegraph: “Well, first of all, the old system has gone and one of my proudest achievements is ending the 11-plus. The breakaway tests operated by the grammar schools should not be happening, they should not be doing those tests and they should not be placing barriers in front of children to prevent them from getting into their schools. “What I would say to the schools is stop doing it. What I would say to the parents is tell the grammar schools that they should not be erecting barriers for their children to have to climb over.” Ms Ruane also indicated that she would like to remain as Education Minister after the May election and set out some of her priorities in a new Assembly term.
She said: “I would like to see the option to learn Irish. I do think we are moving to a situation in our society where more young people from the Protestant community will be learning Irish.” Some controlled schools, which mainly serve the Protestant community, already offer Irish as part of the curriculum. She continued: “Obviously I would like our system harmonised across the island because I think there are benefits for us and we should remove all obstacles through mobility. “Leaving Certificate pupils in the Republic study six core subjects for two years but have the option to take up to eight, with six counting towards university entrance. “Junior Cert and GCSE are very similar, post Junior Cert and post GCSE we have big differences. When you start your Leaving Cert cycle this is where I think the Southern system is better than the system here in the North.” Although Ms Ruane’s reign as Education Minister has been controversial and provoked severe criticism at times, she has no regrets, makes no apologies and would relish the opportunity to continue in the post despite the major budgetary challenges facing education.
“I would love us (Sinn Fein) to choose Education again but that will be a discussion for our party and then among the various parties. I’d love to be (Education Minister) and I would love to continue the reforms in education,” she said. One of her greatest achievements, she said, has been bringing “about one of the most progressive and radical reforms of education since the Partition of Ireland”, which included axing the 11-plus. “The system I inherited when I came in here in May 2007 was a system designed for the 1940s. We have had to dismantle that system, it was passed its sell-by date, if ever it was the system that should have been in place, and that’s basically what we did brick by brick. We have created a new system of education. “The academic selection debate is over. The direction of travel is now moving towards a flexible, modern education system in terms of how our children transfer from primary to post primary, but even more importantly, how our children learn in post-primary.” And she warned those who were continuing to resist the reforms that their efforts were pointless. “Change has happened, it is happening and further change will happen,” she stated. “The Catholic sector in its entirety is moving away from selection. In the Irish medium sector there is no selection and in the integrated sector, by and large, selection is not operating.”
However, the Education Minister has conceded that grammar schools in the controlled sector continue to ignore her decision |to scrap academic selection by |offering what she calls breakaway tests (AQE and GL) to determine admission. She has also laid the blame for poor literacy and numeracy skills and the 9,588 teenagers in Northern Ireland who leave school every year without attaining five GCSEs at the door of grammar schools, who admit pupils based on academic selection. She claimed: “What they are going to do is contribute to the entrenchment of disadvantage and the number of young people who are leaving school without proper qualifications. They need to take responsibility. “It is not good enough for them to sit by and say ‘we are doing well in our school’ and watch while young people are failed by an outdated system.” Accepting no responsibility for the thousands of young people who are failed by the education system, Ms Ruane said: “I attribute it to the very unequal system we had in the past. Our curriculum was totally and utterly distorted by the 11-plus and one of the biggest successes of the last four years has been to bring in the revised curriculum and to support principals, teachers, unions who were opposed to the distortion of the curriculum.”
It is widely believed that Sinn Fein will not retain Education following the Assembly elections but Ms Ruane has no concerns about a new unionist minister overturning many of her decisions. She said: “It will be very difficult for them to do that. First of all Sinn Fein will not be supporting the reintroduction of the 11-plus, and you need cross-community support in the Assembly to bring in regulations.”
Belfast Telegraph – Lindsay Fergus
