St Ciaran’s College languages department continues to excel
November 18, 2013
Aighneacht Gaelscoileanna Teo. ar Uileghabhálacht Bhreisithe a Chur Chun Cinn sna Bunscoileanna
November 18, 2013
Cruinneas agus Scríobh na Gaeilge
November 15, 2013
Post buan – Príomhoide, Coláiste Ghór na Mara, Baile Brigín, Co. Átha Cliath
November 15, 2013
Good news for Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail – school to move to a permanent building
November 15, 2013
Pupils, staff, parents and Board of Management of Moville’s Gaelscoil were celebrating recently the news that the Department of Education and Skills has sanctioned the school’s move to a permanent building.
“This is an historical decision” said the Chairperson of the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Antóin Ó Dúgáin.
“As a school we have been working in temporary accommodation since our foundation in 2000. This decision is a real step forward for us. It is also a vote of confidence for Irish Medium education in the Moville community.
“We are very grateful to the parish priest Fr. O’Hagan for his role in moving this project forward and grateful also to the Diocese for making St Joseph’s Boys school building available to us. Our gratitude extends also to the Department of Education and Skills for funding the renovation that will facilitate the move.”
The Gaelscoil will move from its current location in the GAA grounds outside the town to what was St. Joseph’s Boys’ school premises which is located in the town itself.
Substantial funding has been acquired in order to refurbish the building. Although no time frame has as yet been established it is hoped that the move will take place without delay. An Foras Pátrúnachta is in communication with the Diocesan authorities to finalise details.
“Irish medium education offers a headstart to children on their educational journey”, remarks the school Principal Gráinne Nic Robhartaigh, “international studies reiterate the fact that pupils who learn through the medium of a second language have an educational advantage and their cognitive abilities are enhanced as a consequence. We see that clearly from the second level exam results of our past pupils!”
The school would be happy to hear from any interested parents: Tel 074 9385762. An Information Evening will take place on Thursday 28th November 2013 at 6.30pm.
“I would encourage any parent who has questions about Irish Medium education to come along. It is important to be informed before we make choices and the Information Evening will give parents an insight into the advantages of sending a child to a “Gaelscoil”,” concluded the Principal.
SpeakTalkChat – Do Ghaeltacht ar Líne
November 15, 2013
Group highlights importance of language learning for jobs
November 15, 2013
A new group to highlight the importance of language learning for employment was launched in Trinity College Dublin yesterday.
Only 40 per cent of Irish people can hold a conversation in any second language, which is the fourth lowest rate in Europe.
One Voice for Languages is a group of more than 200 linguists, academics, teachers, parents, arts representatives and business leaders who have come together to “highlight Ireland’s deficit in 21st-century language skills”.
The group said language learning is important for employment, education and intercultural understanding. It also claimed language learning is the subject of a “diminishing status” in the Irish education system.
The group came together to raise awareness of the issue following “repeated calls” from industry leaders, employment specialists and experienced linguists.
Dr Ann Devitt said the group was seeking to “highlight how important languages are for Ireland, not only in terms of skills for the economy but also in terms of societal and cultural benefits”.
www.irishtimes.com
New campaign aims to boost languages in our education
November 15, 2013
ENGLISH is no longer enough – that is the message of a new campaign to give languages a greater voice in education.
The big focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has prompted concern that languages will get left behind.
While so-called STEM subjects are much in demand from employers, proficiency in foreign languages is also essential for many jobs.
Many businesses and industries operate in a global market, and their staff need to be able to communicate across the world.
Employers in Ireland regularly complain about the lack of home graduates with the necessary language skills.
Now the languages fightback has started, backed by more than 200 linguists, academics, teachers, parents and business leaders. It represents the first coming together of all levels of the education system, as well as business leaders and social entrepreneurs, to support language teaching and learning.
The One Voice for Languages campaign argues that employment is not the only reason for students to develop their linguistic skills.
They point to national and international research, demonstrating the direct benefits of language learning in boosting literacy, at both primary and post-primary level.
Proficiency in foreign languages also brings wider social and cultural benefits, they say.
French is the most popular language in the Leaving Certificate, taken by about 25,000 of over 55,000 candidates this year. A long way behind comes German, at about 6,600 candidates, Spanish with about 5,000, with Italian, Russian and Japanese trailing at around 300.
In the Leaving Certificate, male students are less likely to take languages than females.
Dr Ann Devitt, assistant professor in modern languages in Trinity College, said Ireland, with its own national language and migrant populations had the potential to become a place of rich linguistic diversity.
But this potential wealth was not being developed, with only 40pc of Irish people claiming they could hold a conversation in any second language – the fourth lowest rate in Europe, she said. Ireland is the only country in Europe, other than Scotland, where a non-indigenous language is not compulsory at any stage of the mainstream educational curriculum
www.independent.ie
Demonstration on November 20th, support welcome
November 15, 2013
Parents of students who were not given places in Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, North Monastery, Cork, are organising a demonstration outside the office of the Edmund Rice Trust in Blackrock next Wednesday, 20th November at 12pm.
The demonstration is a protest against the new admissions policy which makes it difficult for students from Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers to get a place in the gaelcholáiste. Support would be welcome on the day and further information is available from Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers on 021-4309619 or eolas@peigsayers.com.
A chance for young entrepreneurs!
November 14, 2013
Junior Dragons’ Den applications are now open, please follow the link for more info: www.bankofireland.com/dragons
