Teaching resource for new Leaving Cert oral exam
October 5, 2011
A copy of the DVD ‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ was delivered to every school in the 26 counties last week, and in the coming weeks seminars will be held for the members of Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge across the country, to explain how to get the best use out of this teaching aid in the classroom. ‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ is a practical guide from Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge, for those who will be undertaking the new Irish Oral for their Leaving Certificate from 2012 on.
The new syllabus for the 2012 Leaving Certificate presents many challenges, the oral exam is a common exam for both Higher Level and Ordinary Level students, and it will be challenging for teachers to cater for students at all levels. From 2012, 40% of the marks for the Irish exam will be awarded for the Irish Oral, an exam which takes place over a fifteen minute period.
The new Irish Oral exam has four distinct parts, Reception, Poetry Reading, Description of a Series of Pictures, and Conversation. This DVD gives students the tools to successfully undertake each of the four parts of the exam at either Higher or Ordinary Level.
The programme gives students and teachers alike, an idea of what to expect in the Irish Oral exam. Students will be more comfortable preparing for the Oral, once they understand the structure of the exam. The programme is suitable for students at both Higher and Ordinary Level, as practical advice is given on to how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to undertake effective communication with the examiner. Parts of the DVD are specifically aimed at students with a good proficiency in Irish to help them add to their fluency, their vocabulary and their communication skills.
Handbooks and flashcards are available as an extra feature on the DVD, as an aid for both teachers and pupils. The presenter, Marcus Lamb, can be heard reading each of the poems on the syllabus so that pupils can practice along with him.
The package is suitable for students and teachers in Gaeltacht schools, in Gaelscholáistí, and in schools who teach through the medium of English.
Representatives of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge last week met with teachers in Cork, to discuss any questions or concerns teachers may have surrounding the Irish language oral exam at Leaving Cert level, and in the coming weeks similar seminars will be held at venues in Port Laoise (04 October), Carrick-on-Shannon (11 October), Sligo (13 October), Limerick (27 October), Killarney (04 November) and Maynooth (11 November).
Further information relating to the times and venues of the above seminars is available from Saffron Rosenstock, at 01 6398448.
‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ was funded by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Foras na Gaeilge, and Teacher Professional Networks.
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Gaeltacht Education Conference
October 5, 2011
Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta will host their annual conference on education matters, and their AGM, on Friday, 14 October in the Ardilaun Hotel, Galway.
The aim of Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta is to strengthen Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools.
Many speakers will attend the conference including Deirbhile Nic Craith, (INTO) who will discuss the employment implications of merging small schools. Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí will discuss the Irish language at Leaving Certificate level, and Muireann Ní Mhóráin, (COGG) will speak on the topic of Gaeltacht pupils and the state exams. Special educational needs, and the current issues in this area as they relate to Gaeltacht schools will also be discussed on the day.
An election will be held as part of the AGM, to choose the General Directors of the organisation, and the Committee of Officers will be chosen from the elected directors, after the first meeting of the new board.
Further information about the organisation, or the conference is available from Treasa Ní Mhainín at oifig@esg.ie.
Teacht le chéile lucht na Naíonraí Gaelacha
October 5, 2011
Samhail nua mhaoinithe le hathrú ó bhonn a dhéanamh
October 5, 2011
Public Meeting to discuss new Gaelscoileanna in Dublin, Cork and Galway
October 4, 2011
An Foras Pátrúnachta is holding public meetings on Tuesday, 4th of October to discuss the potential opening of new Irish-medium primary schools in Ballinteer and Stepside in Dublin, Douglas in Cork, and Knocknacarra in Galway. All welcome.
These public meetings have been organised by An Foras Pátrúnachta, the national patron body for Irish-medium schools, with the help of the campaign group Aitheantas, to inform the communities in these areas about the opening of new Gaelscoileanna in September 2012 and 2013. All parents and individuals interested in education through the medium of Irish are very welcome. This is a great opportunity for the communities to express a demand and interest in the opening of the new Gaelscoileanna. Parents and guardians will also have the chance to pre-enrol their children.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, the General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, will be speaking at the meetings about the benefits and strengths of An Foras Pátrúnachta as a patron to Irish-medium schools. Speaking of the importance regarding the opening of the new Gaelscoileanna, Ó hEaghra said, “There has been a huge demand for new Gaelscoileanna in these developing areas and throughout the country. Research shows that there has also been a significant growth in Irish speakers in these areas along with an increasing demand of places in other Gaelscoileanna locally.” An Foras Pátrúnachta recently held three public meetings in Carpenterstown(Dublin), Tallaght(Dublin) and Kildare Town which saw many interested parents attend and pre-enrol their children for these new Gaelscoileanna. Ó hEaghra continued, “We are delighted with the support we have received so far in Dublin and Kildare and we hope we will secure further support in these other areas to encourage and strengthen Irish-medium education by opening new Gaelscoileanna.”
Principals of local Gaelscoileanna will also be speaking at the meetings about the benefits of education through Irish and the highly effective Irish language immersion system in junior and senior infants. These speakers will be available to assist with any queries after the meeting.
The 2006 Census showed a substantial increase in the number of Irish speakers in these counties, with Cork’s Irish speaking community growing from 200,657(Census, 2002) to 209,950(Census 2006), Dublin saw an increase from 394,240(Census 2002) to 410,669(Census 2006), and in Galway, there are 139,277(Census 2006) Irish speakers compared to 102,529 according to the 2002 Census. This indicates that there is a huge interest in the language and that there is a market for new Gaelscoileanna.
An Foras Pátrúnachta received confirmation from The Department of Education that 20 new primary schools will be opening in the next six years. It is certain that Ballinteer, Stepaside, Douglas and Knocknacarra will open new primary schools as part of this plan in the coming years. An Foras Pátrúnachta are hoping to secure sufficient support from the local communities before masking applications to the government, due on October 7th, 2011.
A variety of studies have shown that pupils of Irish-medium schools have achieved a higher academic standard, find it easier to learn a third language, develop an understanding and openness to other cultures and improve cognitive functioning in creativity and communication.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Comhdháil Na Naíonraí Gaelacha
October 3, 2011
Cearta teanga
September 30, 2011
Athruithe móra ar an siollabas Gaeilge
September 30, 2011
Cruinniú in Ionad Chill Dara
September 30, 2011
Irish language pack for schools stresses rights
September 30, 2011
STUDENTS FROM Coláiste na Coiribe in Galway were told yesterday by the official Irish Language Commissioner that they were “guardians of an important and endangered aspect of world heritage”.
The students were present at the launch of a new information pack which is to be presented to every second-level school in the country by An Coimisinéir Teanga Seán Ó Cuirreáin. The multimedia educational initiative developed by his office in An Spidéal, Co Galway, aims to give students an insight into language rights in the overall context of universal civil and human rights. Bilingual lessons and projects on the theme will be taught as part of the Junior Certificate course in civil, social and political education, Mr Ó Cuirreáin said yesterday. The initiative was also endorsed by Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley. The Junior Cert module will address the advantages and challenges of multilingualism, and explore the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The pack for classes includes an award-winning short film, Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom (My Name Is Yu Ming) , about a young Chinese man who learns Irish before visiting Ireland. He experiences communications difficulties at first, until he finds himself a job as a barman in the Gaeltacht. Images of Irish national identity compiled by Nuacht TG4/RTÉ with a soundtrack from The Coronas will form part of a lesson on culture and nationality. A novel element is the inclusion of a set of task cards that will ask students to explain elements of Irish society to a visiting Martian. Another lesson involves developing bilingual stationery and signage. Mr Ó Cuirreáin said that the initiative had been tested in 15 schools on a pilot basis last year. He explained that the module can be taught through Irish, through English or bilingually. “More than anything else, this project should ensure that students are given a context for their learning of Irish in schools and that they understand and respect the concept of language rights,” he said.
Mr Ó Cuirreáín forecast that it could be “potentially the most important initiative undertaken by this office since its establishment, if it sees significant numbers of students each year being taught the importance of language rights”.
The Irish Times
