ELeathanach – áis léitheoireachta do pháistí bunscoile
November 20, 2012
Online courses in Irish
November 20, 2012
An exclusive deal for Gaelchultúr’s online courses:
• Gaeilge gan Stró! Lower Intermediate Level, TEG, B1: You have the cúpla focal, or perhaps you did it at school—Give it a go. Pay €80, get €30 back*
• Gramadach gan Stró! Grammer challenge—Bí crógach—Give it a go. Pay €80, get €30 back*
• Tusa agus do Ríomhaire: Technology and Gaeilge. Pay €35, get €15 back*
*Get stated amount back if course is completed within six months.
Eolas/ Info: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
This project is co-sponsored by Gaeilge Locha Riach and County Galway Vocational Education Committee for East Galway.
Government must carefully consider the Irish language in Budget 2013
November 20, 2012
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, the umbrella body for Irish language voluntary organisations is calling on the Government to carefully consider Irish language issues in the upcoming Budget 2013, and to express their support for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
In a prebudget submission to Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., An Chomhdháil, the central steering council for the Irish language community, demanded the support structures for the language, which have been diligently constructed over many years by both the public and the State, be protected in Budget 2013.
Focussing on the 20 Year Strategy for the language, An Chomhdháil warns the Minister for Finance, that this strategy cannot be successfully implemented without adequate State support and investment. Particular attention is given in the submission to two policies introduced earlier this year under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, namely the Family Language Support Programme and the Language Planning Process.
An Chomhdháil contends adequate investment is required to ensure a focus on practical methods to support parents across the country who wish to raise their families through Irish.
An Chomhdháil maintains further resources, particularly human resources, must be made available through Údarás na Gaeltachta to those community organisations who already have challenging workloads and are now expected to achieve language planning results, under the recent Language Planning Process. An Chomhdháil recommends practical instruction be given to these community groups to enable them to engage appropriately with the Language Planning Process.
Further recommendations are proposed in relation to the review of the Official Languages Act 2003, to Údarás na Gaeltachta and to Ciste na Gaeilge, and to the staffing crisis at An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). The submission also recommends charity status be automatically bestowed on those organisations working in the Irish language voluntary sector which would allow them a preferable VAT rate.
The prebudget submission discusses the rationalisation of the Irish language core-funded sector a process embarked upon by Foras na Gaeilge in 2008 which is still on-going.
Kevin De Barra, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge claims: “No study has been done on the work of the core-funded organisations in the four year period since Foras na Gaeilge first began their rationalisation. While we wait in limbo for the funding reshuffle to occur, the annual budgets of the voluntary organisations have been slashed year on year”.
With a new funding model to be put before the North South Ministerial Council on 12th December 2012, exactly one week after the announcement of Budget 2013, De Barra says: “We call on the Government to ensure adequate resources are provided to the Irish language voluntary sector so that we may build on the good work undertaken to date. We are not adverse to change, but we must be convinced that any new model will positively impact the promotion of the Irish language in the future”.
The full prebudget submission, (Irish only), can be downloaded below: Aighneacht Réamhbhuiséid.
A Press Release issued by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Published on Gaelport.com
Education Conference on November 23rd – Programme available
November 19, 2012
This year’s conference will be hosted in partnership with Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. Comhdháil Oideachais GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. agus Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. will be held in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway on November 23rd 2012.
Conference Programme
Resolutions and nominations
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to encourage schools’ participation in the work of the organisation and on its board of directors, so that it is fully representative of its members. Information on how to put forward resolutions and nominations for the organisation’s AGM is available here.
- To submit a Resolution: Foirm Rúin
- To submit a nomination: Foirm Ainmniúcháin
Information on membership of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is available here.
Membership form: Membership Form Jan-Dec 2012
Exhibition space at the Conference
Unfortunately all of our exhibition spaces are booked out for this year’s conference. You are very welcome to contact the Development Officer if you wish to be added to a waiting list.
Accommodation
Information on the rates in the Ardilaun and on alternative accommodation is available here.
Register to attend
Schools and organisations can register delegates to attend the conference by filling out the form below. If there are more than four delegates to attend from any one school/organisation, please contact our office directly on 01 8535193 or oifig@gaelscoileanna.ie instead of registering online, as you will be eligible for a discount.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Tacaíocht don Áisaonad
November 19, 2012
Dráma Nollag
November 19, 2012
CORE – simply the best Course
November 19, 2012
The CORE project uses systematic, qualitative methods of action-research to investigate the implementation of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated
Learning) “on the ground” in primary and secondary schools within a variety of socio-linguistic contexts in five European countries. We give a particular emphasis to multi-lingual and officially bi-lingual regions. We complement current and often “top-down” theory and practice with a “bottom-up” exploration of “what works where, and why”.
The result will be an innovative, practitioner-led integration of core CLIL principles into a self-sustainable and perpetually renewable state-of-the-art training and support programme for the local management of CLIL innovation by school leaders and other senior managers using the resources of their local educational networks.
The project will draw upon the knowledge and experience of the educational advisors in its team in the organizational theory and practice of innovation management, and the use of AfL (Assessment for Learning) as a student-centered mechanism for the local evaluation of CLIL programmes
Interested partners should apply to their National Agency for funding before 16th Jan 2013.
The list of National Agencies can be found on:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/national_en.htm
Web site for the project is:
www.coreproject.no
Young want secular State and more focus on Irish
November 19, 2012
YOUNG people want major reforms of the education system to include a focus on learning Irish, more investment in special education, and extra classes in IT and new technologies.
Equal marriage and adoption rights for gay and transgender couples and the creation of a secular State are also among the rights demanded by 17- to 26- year- olds who took part in an initiative by President Michael D Higgins to help reshape the country.
The ‘ Take Charge of Change’ declaration says that Ireland should become a secular, inclusive and multi- lingual State with excellent education and health systems.
But it says that political reform is needed to bring about the necessary changes.
“Our vision for Ireland is a secular, inclusive, multilingual, confident State with excellent and universally accessible education, health and social support systems; an Ireland of which we can be proud on the global stage,” it says. “We have to engage in a process of systematic political reform.
“Our vision includes economic prosperity, an enterprise culture and the opportunity for education and employment for all, a place where young people reach their potential, have a solid future and a valued voice, free from forced emigration and the burden of national debt.”
It comes after Mr Higgins invited young people last May to take part in a national discussion on how Ireland should develop.
Regional workshops were held in Dublin, Cork, Monaghan and Galway last September.
It resulted in a report called ‘ Being Young and Irish’, which was launched by the president over the weekend.
Myth
“If anyone is in any doubt now about the myth that young people are disengaged, disaffected and cynical, well, there is your answer,” Mr Higgins said.
Concerns about employment, the future of the economy and a belief that university courses should be free have also been identified as major priorities for the 800 people who took part.
Reform of the Leaving Certificate was needed because it emphasised rote learning and failed to prepare students for “active citizenship”. Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the views would be taken into account for the young people’s strategy, which is currently being drafted.
http://www.independent.ie/
President praises youth declaration
November 19, 2012
David Berry joined the President and other young people at Aras an Uachtarain for the first of a series of seminars.
Legislation for the X case, a referendum on abortion and a new approach to teaching Irish are among a list of proposals contained in a declaration unveiled yesterday at a presidency seminar for young people.
President Michael D Higgins and 100 young people convened in Áras an Uachtaráin to consider the drafting of the ‘Take Charge of Change’ declaration, the culmination of a six-month nationwide engagement with 700 or so 17 to 26-year-olds.
The process, initiated by President Higgins in May, also resulted in the publication of a report titled Being Young in Ireland 2012. The report formed the basis of yesterday’s declaration and reveals concerns about employment, the future of the economy, political reform, citizen participation and education for a full life.
In particular it highlights a desire among young people to see greater equality and a wider acceptance of diversity. It recommends diversity training in schools and calls for the drafting of a constitution which “represents all members of our society regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation”.
The declaration was delivered before President Higgins, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and representatives from various State agencies at Áras an Uachtaráin.
It states: “Our vision for Ireland is a secular inclusive, multilingual, confident state with excellent and universally accessible education, health and social support systems; an Ireland of which we can be proud on the global stage; a place where people, arts, culture, heritage, sport and the Irish language are nurtured and developed.
It goes on to outline a vision of community co-operation, active citizenship and a “place where human rights are valued; where there is an acceptance and celebration of all citizens and where all people have equality of access, equality of opportunity in society and in the State.”
Afterwards the President said “any president of any country in the world would be enormously proud of the presentation.” In particular he praised the focus on social justice, education, and the promotion of diversity.
“If anyone is in any doubt now about the myth that’s going around that young people are disengaged, disaffected and cynical, well there is your answer,” he added.
He stressed that it was his wish as President that the proposals get a real, rapid and positive response at every level of politics and within institutions of State. “It must not be a lost conversation, a lost consultation,” he said.
The declaration called on legislators to allow for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender marriage and adoption rights.
The report outlined a belief that young people at home and abroad have a role to play in promoting Ireland and creating a positive image of the country. The declaration urged the government to increase its engagement with the diaspora by extending voting rights to Irish people living abroad.
The young people called for reform of the Leaving Certificate, saying the points system and emphasis on rote learning fails to prepare students for “active citizenship”.
Ms Fitzgerald said the submissions were wonderful, positive and inspiring. “Having your voice heard and bringing about change are not easily achieved,” she added.
She praised the participants for making a positive start in attempting to bring about change and promised to “work with the Government and the President to make sure full attention is given to your findings.”
She said she would study the views with a particular interest in drawing upon them for the young people’s strategy, which is currently being drafted. She said she would also pass on any other relevant proposals to the appropriate authorities.
A summary of the Being Young and Irish Report realesed yesterday afternoon identifies the following themes as being of particular concern to the participants:
Employment, enterprise, social security, concern with the economy : The participants expressed concern about graduate job opportunities and the long-term impact of Ireland’s banking debt. They called for “the economy to be stimulated, with an emphasis on job creation and the need to integrate welfare and social protection more closely with inclusivity, enterprise culture and social solidarity”.
Political reform : A perceived disconnect between young people and politicians needs to be addressed. Respondents felt greater engagement and communication is a responsibility of both young people and politicians.
Education : The emphasis on rote learning in the Leaving Certificate was criticised by many who felt secondary education fails to prepare students for “active citizenship”. The introduction of university fees was unanimously rejected, while there was “an overwhelming sense that access to third level should be free of cost”.
Equality : One of the most prominent submissions. There was a heavy emphasis on the need for respect for individual rights and freedom of expression.
Involve young people : There is a prevailing sense that young people are not being listened to and that, consequently, “many opportunities are missed by those who ignore the youth”. Participants identified a need for a “structured forum where the youth voice can be promoted, encouraged and fostered”.
Being positive : “Young people expressed a strong need for optimism in envisaging an Ireland of the future and a sense of disillusionment with the negativity they experience around them.”
Health : Overall, respondents believe the healthcare system is “wrong”. Submissions on mental health, suicide, and mental health services featured, as did issues of alcohol, smoking and drug use. One participant noted: “Too many people are dying because they aren’t aware of the help that’s there and too often they can’t get the help they need when they look.”
Community and civil society : Young people believe Ireland lost some of its sense of community during the boom years. They believe community spirit can empower individuals and contribute to Ireland’s recover.
Identity as Irish : The economic situation, unemployment and emigration have raised the question of what constitutes Irish identity. Young people said students, graduates and the diaspora had a role to play in promoting Ireland. The need to incorporate the Irish Language into everyday life was also underlined.
http://www.irishtimes.com/
Free package of books, songs, etc. in Irish for children
November 16, 2012
Parents are entitled to a Irish language support package from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which contains a ‘raising your child with Irish’ booklet, music and songs on CD and poems and nursery rhymes for children. Parents can call the department (091 503 700) or send an email with their address to ctt@ahg.gov.ie requesting this package. It might be worth asking your child’s creche, pre-school, or national school to request this package, whether or not it’s an Irish focused establishment, so that you can get a look at it or indeed so that they can use it to complement the education of your children. This is a wonderful package which your children will enjoy, so why deprive them?
If you already have this package, please note that materials have been added to it and it may be worthyour while to request a new package.
When you raise your child through Irish, you are giving him/her a valuable advantage that could help him/her:
1. to learn how to read and count
2. to learn new languages
3. develop communication skills
4. to obtain employment in the future
5. to make new friends
6. to be part of a new generation of Irish language speakers
7. to deepen their sense of identity
Support pack and further details: 091 503700 or ctt@ahg.gov.ie
