USI calls on parents to send children to Gaelscoileanna
December 3, 2015
Bilingual students in second and third level with high ability in Irish and English outperformed their monolingual peers in mathematics, even when assessed through English – their second language of learning.
“The mental gymnastics needed to constantly manage two or more linguistic systems increases cognitive flexibility and makes learning easier,” said Dr Dora Alexopoulou from the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics in the University of Cambridge.
Gaelscoil attendance continues to grow across the country with areas outside the Gaeltacht and in Gaeltacht areas recording increased numbers year-on-year. The number of pupils attending both Irish-medium primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht went from 33,205 in 2013/14 to 34,476 in 2014/15 and those receiving education through Irish in Gaeltacht areas increased from 7,347 in 2013/14 to 7,485 in 2014/15.*
“USI is encouraging parents across Ireland to consider sending their children to a Gaelscoil or a bilingual school,” Kevin Donoghue, USI president said.
Highlighting the advantages offered by the development of literacy in two languages, Mr Donoghue said bilingualism “has numerous positive effects for students including increased understanding of maths concepts and problem-solving, resistance to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and a greater cultural awareness.”
Julian de Spáinn, spokesperson for Conradh na Gaeilge, said all children should have the opportunity to be educated bilingually.
Mr de Spainn said bilingual education offers linguistic, educational, social, cultural and personal development benefits for children.
“Gaelscoileanna offer this form of education and we believe that there should be more Gaelscoileanna established to satisfy parent demand for this form of education as there is plenty of evidence that supply is in no way meeting the demand.”
* This article was amended on 03/12/2015
Feeder schools: Social class still drives school league tables
December 3, 2015
Gaelscoileanna and fee-paying schools dominate school rankings with the highest number of students graduating to third-level education, Irish Times figures published today show.
However, a number of schools outside this traditional group also rank towards the top of league tables, including community and non-fee paying schools. Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, an all-boys gaelscoil, heads the overall rankings, followed by the fee-paying Cistercian College in Roscrea, Co Tipperary,
But Magh Éne College, Co Donegal and Coláiste Gleann Lí (formerly Tralee Community College) in Co Kerry appear in the top-five for the first time. Principals at these schools say a greater focus on empowering students to direct their own study, training for staff on new and engaging ways of teaching and closer links with third-level colleges are among the factors yielding dividends in better exam results.
Social class, however, remains a major factor in the performance of schools, especially in the Dublin area. Latest figures show students in more affluent areas in the capital are progressing to college at a rate of up to four time those in disadvantaged areas.
The social class divide is most obvious in the feeder school list for high points courses in universities and other third-level institutions.
The Union of Students in Ireland Stresses the Importance of Bilingualism in Education and Urges Parents to Send their Children to Gaelscoileanna
December 1, 2015
The Union of Students in Ireland today spoke about the importance of bilingualism in children’s education and how parents should consider sending her children to gaelscoils or bilingual schools because bilingual children are better at problem-solving, have greater cultural awareness, and are more resistant to Alzheimer’s.
“The mental gymnastics needed to constantly manage two or more linguistic systems increases cognitive flexibility and makes learning easier.” said Dr. Dora Alexopoulou from the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics in the University of Cambridge.
“Apart from the fact that fluency in our national language is a vibrant expression of our national identity, and preserves the direct descendant of one of the most ancient languages in Europe, dual language immersion provides a unique and powerful opportunity to strengthen children’s highest cognitive brain potentials through deliberate literacy development in two languages and authentic exposure to rich linguistic experiences.” Kevin Donoghue, USI President said, “USI is encouraging parents across Ireland to consider sending their children to a gaelscoil or a bilingual school because research shows that development of literacy in two languages has numerous positive effects for students including increased understanding of maths concepts and problem-solving; resistance to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia; and a greater cultural awareness. We are also calling on the Department of Education to set up more gaelscoileanna across the country to meet the demand of parents wanting to enrol their children in a gaelscoil.”
The earliest written literature in Europe was Classical Greek, eg Homer’s Iliad (8th Century BC). The second was in Latin, eg Virgil’s Aeneid (1st Century BC). The third oldest written literature in Western Europe was in the Irish language. Records of Irish lyric poetry date from 700 AD.
“We believe that all children should have the opportunity to be educated bilingually as there are linguistic, educational, social, cultural and personal development benefits for children.” Julian de Spáinn, spokesperson for Conradh na Gaeilge, said “Gaelscoileanna offer this form of education and we believe that there should be more Gaelscoileanna established to satisfy parent demand for this form of education as there is plenty of evidence that supply is in no way meeting the demand.”
Derry Irish and Integrated schools form unique partnership
November 30, 2015
Neighbouring Irish medium and integrated primary schools in Derry have formed a unique shared education partnership.
A group of students from Gaelscoil na Daróige and Groarty Integrated Primary School have formed a joint choir and were last week learning festive tunes as gaelige in both Irish and English as part of the project.
The festive tunes are in preparation for a bilingual Christmas Concert taking place at Foyleside Shopping Centre in December 14.
It is part of a wider education project involving the two schools, which are located on either side of the Coshquin Road in the Ballymagroarty area.
“We started off with a number of extra-cirricular activities. We have a joint choir, football jointly together as well, and they practice every week on a Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We also work on joint literacy work and CRED Community Relations Education work.”
Mr Mac Eo said the proximity of the two schools meant the project made sense.
He said: “Because we are two schools of similar size, in a similar position, next to each other, and it just seemed natural we should work together to maximise the resources and the provisions we could provide for the children.
“Also as professionals, sharing expertise, there are things maybe that we could do here we could skill their teachers up, and things they had to increase our knowledge too.
“That has been going since last year and it’s great. Teachers love working together.
“Between the two of us we are offering something different and unique in terms of choice for parents in the area- integrated education and Irish medium education. It means the parents in this area have a great opportunity to choose something a wee bit different for their children.”
The schools will be doing their own Christmas shows and have invited each other to watch, while the joint choir is getting in some final practice before taking to the stage at Foyleside Shopping Centre on December 14th to perform some bilingual songs.
(Gaeilge) ‘Oidhreacht an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge: easpa físe, easpa tacaíochta, easpa ceannaireachta agus easpa maoirseachta’ – Ó Snodaigh
November 27, 2015
(Gaeilge) Baill á lorg ag Fios Físe (Painéal Lucht Féachana TG4)
November 26, 2015
(Gaeilge) ‘When the gurriers of Dublin shall have broken telephone boxes talking Irish, then we will have saved the language’
November 25, 2015
(Gaeilge) Cur chuige ‘soiléir stuama’ ann maidir le cur i bhfeidhm Straitéis 20 Bliain na Gaeilge – McHugh
November 24, 2015
TCD seminar to examine Irish legacy of Easter Rising
November 24, 2015
TCD’s Science Gallery will host a bilingual seminar on Monday evening which will discuss the Irish language in the context of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Titled Cad is brí le “Saor agus Gaelach” in 2016 or What Does “Gaelic and Free” Mean in 2016, the topic was inspired by the words spoken by P.H. Pearse at O’Donovan Rossa’s graveside during which he imagined an Ireland “Not free merely, but Gaelic as well; not Gaelic merely, but free as well”
The seminar will examine whether the understanding of freedom shared by many in the Irish language movement in 1916 are appropriate to contemporary contexts and whether political sovereignty is necessary in the conservation and promotion of language?
Other themes to be explored include what unionists with an interest in the Irish language take from the connection made between Pearse’s stated aims of Ireland being both “Gaelic and Free”.
The accommodation of linguistic diversity in these islands which did not achieve political sovereignty will also be examined.
Speakers include Dr Chris McGimpsey, former Belfast City Councillor and member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP); Professor of Contemporary Irish History at TCD Eunan O’Halpin; Professor Alan MacInnes of the University of Strathclyde; former president of Conradh na Gaeilge and lecturer Íte Ní Chionnaith; Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and Mary Harris, senior lecturer in the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Hosted by Trinity College’s Irish-Language Office and Conradh na Gaeilge Dublin, the event will also be broadcast live on YouTube.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s event, Patrick Prendergast, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, said: “This series of seminars “Plé ’16” will provide occasion for much public reflection in relation to the importance of the revival of Irish in the context of the Easter Rising 1916 and its upcoming centenary.
“Our Irish Language Office looks forward to the internationally-based seminar on 23 November inspiring fresh thinking on the concepts of “freedom” and “Gaelic” in the national discourse inspired by the commemorations.”
Cad is brí le “Saor agus Gaelach” in 2016? Takes place at TCD’s Science Gallery, Dublin 2, at 7.00pm on Monday, 23 November 2015.
(Gaeilge) Ardú tagtha ar líon na ndaltaí ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge Thuaisceart Éireann
November 23, 2015
