Conference about Readership
September 17, 2012
Foras na Gaeilge is organising a conference about book readership in Marino Conference Centre, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9 on 21-22th September 2012. The aim of the conference is to find ways of increasing current readership numbers for Irish language books. The issues to be discussed at the conference include the current state of the literature sector, reader development work in the UK, the reviewing of books in the media, international minority-language practices in the translation of fiction and the distribution and marketing of books.
For further information, please contact conference organiser, Róisín Ní Mhianáin, (comhdhail2012@gmail.com or 086-4164021) or the office of Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge in Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath (leabhar@forasnagaeilge.ie or 046-9430419).
First Gaelscoil begins new term
September 17, 2012
PUPILS were delighted to spend their first days at their new school in Cookstown this week – as Gaelscoil Eoghain opened its doors for its first school term.
The school, on the site of the former Phoenix Integrated Primary School, opened this month, three years after the Naiscoil – an Irish language nursery – came to the town.
Since then the Naiscoil has gone from strength to strength, and paved the way for the Rang a hAon (Primary One) class to continue their education in Irish. Pupils were said to be excited to begin their new term close to where they had received their nursery education.
Speaking to the Mail about the school previously Board Chairman Niall Devlin said the school had been hoping to build on the success of the nursery. “This is an excellent opportunity for parents to give their children an additional skill and it is great to see the parents of the Cookstown area embrace this.” A growing awareness of Irish medium education in Northern Ireland, coupled with the school’s excellent teaching reputation are two factors said to have contributed to its growing numbers. And just last week parents, friends and other family members of those attending the school, as well as local councillors and Irish language enthusiasts, attende the Gaelscoil’s launch night in the Glenavon House Hotel.
For further information on the school contact Emma on 07751119595 or email gaelscoileoghain@yahoo.ie
www.midulstermail.co.uk
Gaelchultúr’s Irish language evening classes for adults
September 17, 2012
Gaelchultúr’s Irish language evening classes for adults will commence next week (24-29 September 2012) in the following venues:
Dublin
Carlow
Cork
Limerick
They will also have Live Online Classes available worldwide for the first time. They are offering one month’s free subscription to a ranganna.com course to everyone who books a night class with us this autumn.
The Intensive Course in Written Irish will begin Saturday, 22 September, and our next Irish Language Course for Hibernia Applicants will start 11–13 October 2012.
Information: www.gaelchultur.com | eolas@gaelchultur.com | (01) 484 5220 | 1890 252 900
Good news for Gaeltacht language assistance services
September 14, 2012
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced this week the allocation of funding to the amount of €762,378 for language assistance services in Gaeltacht areas.
Minister Dinny McGinley announced an extra €150,000 in addition to last year’s grant in order to further develop services within Gaeltacht areas through the Language Assistance Scheme. The funds awarded to Muintearas and Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne will ensure the continued provision and development of these important services throughout the school year.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has approved almost €1.6 milliúin in grants to Gaeltacht areas in the last three months.
A total of €300,000 was approved in June of this year for various projects in several Gaeltacht regions including €100,000 for the Connacht Gaelic Athletic Association, €10,000 for minor refurbishment in Coláíste Uisce and €29,000 for Corca Dhuibhne’s Health Service Executive.
Support for traditional music, dance and song was made clear throughout the Summer with €12,000 approved towards the cost of musical instruments and the development of Conamara Láir Teo, a grant of €110,000 for An Gaelacdamh in An Spidéal in June and a further €20,000 awarded in July.
Tourism and community facilities are also set to benefit in the coming months from recently announced grants. Comharchumann Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua, will receive a grant of €256,000 for the purchase of a new building that will function as a public hall and accommodation for the Irish college.
The Department approved a total of €180,260 for reconstruction and improvement works on several Gaeltacht islands; Árainn Mhór, Toraigh, Inis Fraoich, Inis Oírr, Béara agus Oileán Baoi.
A grant of €50,000 was announced in July for Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir towards the cost of the development of Loch Fhinne as a tourist and heritage region. Coiste Pobail an Tulaigh, Baile na hAbhann will receive €45,000 to complete the area’s town hall.
For more information on Department funding visit www.ahg.gov.ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Fóram Plé: Dea-scéal don Ghaeilge le heisiúint thorthaí an Teastais Shóisearaigh
September 14, 2012
School Self Evaluation – Guide for primary and post-primary from the Dept. of Education and Skills
September 14, 2012
- School Self Evaluation – An Update For Primary Schools
- School Self Evaluation – An Update For Post-Primary Schools
Check the following links for more resources available on the website:
- General Information
- Immersion Education
- Sample Policies
- GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. Publications
- Statistics
- Campaigns
- Employment Contacts
- Legislation
- Circulars
- Guidelines
Gaelscoil Nua oscailte i nDún Geimhin
September 14, 2012
Call for schools to make Mandarin a priority
September 14, 2012
SCHOOLS should spend less time on Irish and French – and teach Chinese instead, an education leader said yesterday.
The teaching of Mandarin must become a priority for schools and third- level colleges, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn was told.
It could be done by diverting resources from other languages, according to the president of the Irish Vocational Education Association ( IVEA), Noel O’Connor. The former teacher, from Mallow, Co Cork, told the IVEA annual conference that the global race was on for Chinese investment and Ireland was in danger of being left behind. Later, Mr O’Connor told the Irish Independent that students learning one language often benefited from learning another language.
He said diverting some resources from other parts of the curriculum, such as Irish and French, to teach Chinese, would not mean that they would suffer as a consequence.
Mr O’Connor said Sweden was committed to teaching Chinese in all primary schools by 2021, and in all schools eventually, while it was the fastest growing language taught in the US. He told the conference that, as a small, open economy Ireland could be transformed by Chinese investment.
www.independent.ie
Seal i nGaoth Dobhair
September 14, 2012
Higher-level divide between genders
September 14, 2012
Girls are more likely to take higher-level Irish and maths and continue to get better grades in most Junior Certificate subjects.
With much made of the improved uptake in honours maths in last month’s Leaving Certificate results and again in this week’s Junior Cert results, today’s statistics from the State Examinations Commission show there is still a big gender gap.
The results of girls are consistently better than boys at both State exams, in line with trends internationally, although there is evidence that males are making up the difference each year.
Slightly fewer than half of the 28,545 females who took Junior Cert Irish exams in June opted for the higher-level papers.
This is significantly higher than the 46.5% of more than 29,500 boys who sat maths, while a bigger proportion of boys chose the foundation-level exam.
The overall numbers who sat higher-level maths were up almost 2,500 on last year to nearly 28,000.
More boys than girls still took higher-level Leaving Cert maths this year — 23% compared to 21% — although the rise in female honours students was more significant.
A doubling of marks for the optional oral Irish test to 40% has been flagged as a factor in rising numbers sitting the subject at higher level for Junior Cert. The gender divide in this regard is even wider than at maths, with 59% of girls and just 44% of boys taking higher-level Irish.
Almost 86% of girls taking higher Irish got an honours grade (A, B, or C) but just 73% of males did so, while females outperformed males for honours at higher maths — 81.3% compared to 77.2%.
IRISH EXAMINER
