Total immersion in Irish… this is all VERY confusing
April 17, 2012
AFTER arriving in September for the start of a new school year, I was faced with more than the regular problems facing the average student. I also had a language barrier to deal with in this new school.
I left Bridgetown after three years in the school where I sat my Junior Cert and began attending Meanscoil Gharman in Brownswood, Enniscorthy, which is an all-irish speaking secondary school.
The main motivation for leaving was because I wanted to study transition year. I originally intended going to the CBS in Wexford town but applied too late to get into transition year there – but I have been accepted into fifth year. So for this year I have been immersed in the native tongue that unfortunately was completely foreign to me.
Going into this school I knew it was going to be difficult, but felt in the long run it would be worth it. On the first day, my lack of Irish was humorous to the other students because our teacher explained what we would be doing for the year and asked what we were excited about this year and I misunderstood the question and replied with ‘rugby’ thinking the question was ‘what is your favourite thing to do?’. After that day I knew there were going to be a lot of moments like that.
Doing French through Irish is probably more difficult than any other class. Doing one language I’m not fluent in through another language that I am not fluent in was puzzling to say the least. It ensured that a new-found appreciation for English was established.
I had to go back to Bridgetown to get my Junior Cert results from the school and when I was meeting everybody from my old school it was nearly weird to hear them speaking English in school instead of Irish. Some of the teachers were wondering where I had gone, and when I told them about the school they didn’t know about the all-irish speaking school in the locality.
On the trip for our Gaisce walk, we went to Wicklow, and there was a river nearby so we went down for a quick swim. So I went down with my teacher and couple mates from my class and we got in. It was freezing. The teacher said something about not jumping in, in Irish of course which I didn’t understand. Being completely oblivious to the fact that she had issued a stern warning I jumped in and cut my chest into ribbons. Pain through the medium of Irish is pretty much like pain through English. I guess pain, like love, is a universal language. When I emerged like an extra from the water like a bloodied extra from Saving Private Ryan the teacher asked me why I had done did it. Which required this retort: ‘B’fhéidir you haven’t noticed ach ní thuigim Gaeilge!’
It became pretty apparent to both her and I that my speaking Irish while suffering from both hypothermia and blood loss was even more difficult than being taught French through the medium of Irish
Looking back I can reflect honestly that moving school was the right course of action even if I didn’t see the benefits of it straight away nor understand the benefits of it straight away. Six months in school and now I am able to at converse to people in Irish and understand what teachers are saying. I believe that coming here from first year would have been an easier experience and watching the first years blabbering on around me testifies to this point.
My Irish has improved and I’m much more confident using it now and I’m also proud of having more than a cúpla focal. While there can be no denying that the total immersion was a shock to begin with, tuigim anois go raibh sé an tslí cheart.
ENNISCORTHY GUARDIAN
Tongue twisted
April 17, 2012
The problems associated with the teaching of Irish are often mentioned but there is a fundamental problem that needs to be addressed.
At honours level, students in English-speaking secondary schools take the same exams in Irish and study the same syllabus as Gaelcholaisti and Gaeltacht schools. This does not make sense. Students who are studying a second language cannot be treated in the same way as those who have it as a first language.
Students in English-speaking schools are being examined and taught at a level that is inappropriate for their level of language development. This hinders their grasp of the language.
There are also too many aspects to cover on the course in too short a time, so teachers are forced to prepare students for an exam, instead of having time to teach the basics. Students thus do not develop the skills needed to learn a language properly.
To make matters worse, students do not take an oral exam at Junior Cert level in the vast majority of schools. Because the focus is all on the exam, teachers have little time to partake in oral work. This is where the crux of the problem lies. Students could pick up the language easily if the system was appropriate.
Meanwhile, in Irish-speaking schools the course is not challenging enough — it thus satisfies no one.
The solution is simple — two separate exams and qualifications at honours level. One for those learning Irish as a second language (focusing mainly on the basics) that everyone would take, with an additional and more challenging exam for those who have Irish as a first language. There must also be an oral exam in every school at Junior Cert level.
They do this in other jurisdictions. In Wales, for instance, they have two qualifications — Welsh as a first language and then as a second language, as they recognise that you cannot teach both in the same way. They do the same with the Irish language at GCSE level in the North.
We are failing our best students. Why are we not doing something about it?
S O Coinne
Dun Dealgan, Co Lu
www.independent.ie
Schools show how to stage a protest
April 17, 2012
The teachers, parents and pupils of Gaeltacht schools showed how to organise a proper protest.
Eagraiocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta held a campaign on the NUIG campus, causing no hassle while still getting their point across.
Treasa Ni Mhainin and Micheal MacDonncha warned cuts would result in the loss of at least 30 teachers in the Gaeltacht schools system.
www.independent.ie
Calls for Gaelscoil project to progress
April 17, 2012
South Tipperary independent TD Mattie McGrath has called on the Government to progress the Gaelscoil Cluain Meala project to planning stage without delay.
Deputy McGrath who was involved in ensuring the site acquisition in 2010 and ensuring that monies were paid over to South Tipperary County Council for the site has expressed his dismay at the lack of action from the Department of Education in advancing the Gaelscoil project.
“The site for the Gaelscoil was acquired at the end of 2010, subject to planning permission, yet the Department has made absolutely no effort to bring the project to the planning stages. I have been informed that Department officials have held one preliminary pre-planning discussion with planning officials in Clonmel Borough Council but there has been no other contact between the Department of Education and Clonmel Borough Council,” said Deputy McGrath
“There was a time-frame set down for this project to go through planning stages, yet the Department have not done anything since site acquisition. Are they just going to sit around and wait for this project to fall flat on its face after so much effort was put into acquiring the site?” he continued.
“I am calling on the Department of Education to make an effort to advance this project without further delay,” he said.
SOUTH TIPP TODAY
Withdrawal of teachers disadvantaging rural schools
April 16, 2012
We write in relation to the withdrawal of teaching posts from 16 rural disadvantaged schools from Sep 2012.
Minister Quinn apologised for targeting disadvantaged schools earlier this year and announced a review of these cuts.
While urban disadvantaged schools were invited to participate in this review, we in rural disadvantaged schools were afforded no such opportunity.
There was simply a blanket cut made to all of our concessionary teachers.
The loss of these teachers at one of the most difficult times our economy has ever faced is going to add to the level of disadvantage that children in deprived rural communities already face.
Many of us work in communities ravaged by unemployment of up to 35%, with more of their population on the live register.
This is over twice the national average.
Many are single parent families — research indicates that these children are at risk of consistent poverty.
The concessionary teaching posts have enhanced the life chances of targeted children, resulted in improvements in literacy and numeracy standards.
They have and ensured that children at risk of early school leaving have made successful transition to second-level schools.
We urge the minister to consider the consequences of removing concessionary teachers — a retrograde step which may result in falling standards and a breakdown in the social cohesion within our communities.
At this time, with our country facing huge challenges, we need to harness the potential of all our children and maintain current education standards.
Hugh Lafferty, principal. Scoil Adhamhnain, Raphoe, Lifford, Co. Donegal; James McHugh, principal, SN An Chaiseal, Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal; Ann Marie Meehan, principal, SN Baoithin, St. Johnson, Lifford, Co. Donegal; Mairead Mhic Dhonnacha, principal, SN Mhic Dara, Carraroe, Co. Galway; Fionnuala Kirk, principal, St. Conleth’s NS, Derrinturn, Co. Kildare; Treasa Uí Mhuirithe, principal, SN Eachleime, Ballina, Co. Mayo; Gabriel Meehan, principal. An t-Ath Eamonn Ó Gallchoir, chairperson, BOM, Scoil Chartha Naofa, Kilcar, Co. Donegal; Mary Meaney, principal. Maureen Maloney, chairperson, BOM, Scoil Mhuire, Clifden, Co. Galway; Mary Harkin, principal, Rev.Peter Devlin, chairperson, BOM, Scoil Cholmcille, Malin, Lifford, Co. Donegal; Siobhan Ferry, principal, Fr. Charlie Byrne, chairperson, BOM, Scoil Cholmcille, Carrigart, Co. Donegal; Barbara Boyle, principal, Rev. Patrick Prendergast, chairperson, BOM, Scoil Mhuire, Glenties, Co. Donegal; Gabriel Keane, principal, Fr. Jim McCormack, chairperson, BOM, St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow; Anita Healy, principal, Maire O’Malley, chairperson, BOM, SN Ros Dumhach, Ballina, Co. Mayo; Shane O’Donnell, principal, Fr. Ronan chairperson, BOM, Glenealy 1 NS, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow; Miriam Cahill, principal, Fr. D. Nolan, chairperson, BOM, SN Naomh Iosaf, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow; Pat McDermot, principal, Mary Woolley, chairperson, BOM St. Ernan’s BNS, Rathew, Co. Wicklow.
www.irishexaminer.com
Tuam and Ballinasloe parents to be consulted on school patronage
April 16, 2012
The Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the primary education sector published its report this week with recommendations which include registering the preference of parents in a number of towns including Tuam and Ballinasloe.
The report recommended that up to 50 schools located throughout the country be divested and that these schools will be chosen from some 250 schools in four Dublin areas, and 43 towns, including Tuam and Ballinasloe. As part of this process parents with pre-school children in these 47 areas will be approached and consulted on their opinions regarding religious patronage.
The report noted that while 96 per cent of education provision at primary level is denominational arising from the historical development of Irish primary education, there is a clearly increased demand for new forms of multi-denominational and non-denominational schooling, as well as increased demand for Irish language schooling.
The report recommends achieving diversity of patronage by using the existing stock of schools in areas where the population is stable. Where there is a cluster of denominational schools but also parental demand for alternative school patronage, the report recommends that transfer of patronage be achieved with the assistance of the Department and in a phased basis, through the adoption of a catchment approach and taking into account the preferences of parents.
Welcoming the report Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn said: “We live in a changed and changing nation. There is a general acceptance that a greater diversity of primary schooling is necessary… The key issue is how best to promote and develop this diversity. The Advisory Group report will assist us in this complex area.”
“Parental choice should be our main concern. Over recent decades, Irish society has been undergoing major political, social, economic, cultural, demographic and educational change. Primary school provision needs to reflect this changed society and provide for increased diversity.”
www.advertiser.ie/galway
50 towns to see handover of school patronage
April 10, 2012
Nearly 50 communities around the country have been identified as the sites where the Catholic Church should first hand over control of primary schools.
This is one of the key recommendations in the long-awaited report of the advisory group to Education Minister Ruairí Quinn’s Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
Following almost a year of consultations, it also calls for changes to how denominational schools in areas where choice remains limited, cater for an increasingly diverse pupil population.
This should lead to new protocols to promote inclusiveness around issues such as the teaching of religion, display of religious artifacts, and other issues which cause tensions in some communities where non-Catholic children have no choice but to attend a school under the patronage of the local Catholic bishop.
The group was chaired by John Coolahan, a former NUI Maynooth professor of education. The other two members are former National Parents’ Council-Primary chief executive Fionnuala Kilfeather and ex-University College Dublin deputy president Caroline Hussey.
Their draft report was submitted to the minister before Christmas and Mr Quinn is expected to largely support the recommendations when he gives his official response next month.
The 43 towns and the four areas of Dublin singled out for the first phase of divestment were identified by the department in 2010. That came after a request from Catholic bishops who wanted to know where there was likely to be most demand for greater choice of schools among parents, but where populations were not likely to rise enough to warrant a new school.
They include more than 30 communities with no multi-denominational school, some where there are already up to six or seven primary schools.
“There is urgency for action on divesting. But a ‘big bang’ or radical upheaval approach is not advisable. In this context, change of patronage should happen in a phased, incremental way,” the report says.
The advisory group said groups which expressed views to its consultation process accepted it was unrealistic to expect patronage transfer to happen without costs.
However, its report said some spending would appear eminently justifiable.
Mr Quinn says he is mindful that changes should be cost-neutral where possible, given the demands on resources available for primary education. However, he says parental choice remains the main concern.
“Over recent decades, Irish society has been undergoing major political, social, economic, cultural, demographic and educational change. Primary school provision needs to reflect this changed society and provide for increased diversity.”
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, which first called for a forum on patronage over a decade ago, welcomed the report. However, it said this was the start of the process and the real work would now begin at local school level.
The advisory group also considered the question of Irish-medium primary schools, and has recommended piloting a concept of “satellite” schools linked to well-established parent all-Irish schools.
www.examiner.ie
Emphasis on Irish and religion
April 10, 2012
A chara, –
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn, as reported by Seán Flynn on April 5th, seems a tad surprised that up to 30 per cent of contact time is taken up by religion and Irish in primary classes.
Contact time in religion is dictated by the Minister in circular 11/95 and Irish in circular 56/2011. Furthermore, Department of Education inspectors frequently recommend that other areas, such as PE, art, prayers, song, dance, etc, be taught through Irish and praise this practice in school reports.
The Minister could change, reconstruct or abolish this tomorrow if he so wished by composing and distributing a new circular. –
Is mise,
Liam McGowan
Woodlands,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Irish Times – Letters
Church prepares for historic handover of primary schools
April 10, 2012
But any bid to switch educational patron must get parents’ go-ahead
The first official steps towards a historic handover of Catholic primary schools to other patron bodies will get under way shortly.
A softly, softly approach to the transfer is recommended with about 50 schools expected to be involved in initial efforts to switch patron.
Up to 47 towns and suburban areas of Dublin have been targeted for the first phase of the process.
These areas have 250 schools between them so, on average, one Catholic school in each area could be transferred to a new patron, such as the multi-denominational body, Educate Together.
But crucially, any decision to change the patronage of a school will have to have the support of local parents.
If parents agree, the Department of Education hopes that the handover of the first Catholic schools to another patron could start happening in about a year.
Where there is a demand for a change of patronage of a school in an area, parents would also have to agree on who that new patron should be, which may prove controversial.
The report of an expert group yesterday set out a roadmap for the handover process, which is aimed at creating greater choice of primary schools to reflect the changing social mix in Ireland.
As well as providing greater choice on grounds of religion, the advisory body also recommends that more all-Irish schools should emerge from the process to meet demand from parents.
The Forum of Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, chaired by leading educationalist Professor John Coolahan, deliberated for six months last year. It held public hearings and also received 247 submissions.
Currently, 96pc of the 3,200 primary schools are under the control of the churches, overwhelmingly the Catholic Church, which runs 92pc of them.
Concern
As well as recommending a process for the handover of schools, the advisory group suggests ways in which all schools can cater for children of different religious beliefs.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, who released the report yesterday, welcomed its findings.
He said “We live in a changed and changing nation. Primary school provision needs to reflect this changed society and provide for increased diversity. Parental choice should be our main concern” Mr Quinn has been an enthusiastic advocate of change and when he set up the forum last year he spoke of up to half of primary schools being transferred from the control of the Catholic Church.
However, the forum cautions against a ‘big bang’ approach and advises that change of patronage should happen in a phased way, taking account of the preferences of parents.
Mr Quinn will announce a plan of action for the change process in about a month.
The report recommends that the first phase of change would involve examining school patronage in 43 towns and four suburban areas in Dublin areas already identified as likely to have substantial demand for diversity.
These are areas where there is a stable population and also an existing demand for greater school choice and divesting from an existing patron, most often the Catholic Church.
The forum also calls for greater inclusivity in all schools, aimed at ensuring that these are as inclusive as possible and accommodate pupils of various belief systems.
One recommendation is that preparation for the sacraments have no part in the school day anywhere and that schools have a policy on the display of religious and non-religious artefacts , which are not exclusive to any one faith, but which have balance.
The forum is especially concerned about communities served by a single school, where transfer of patronage is not an option. There are about 1,700 of these, which are at least 3km from their nearest neighbour.
www.independent.ie
Scoileanna Gaeltachta ag ullmhú don agóid i nGaillimh
April 10, 2012
