Launch of An Traein: a booklet about the transfer of children moving from the naíonra to an Irish medium primary school
September 16, 2011
Since 2009, Forbairt Naíonraí Teo. and Gaelscoileanna Teo. have been working on a research project regarding the transfer from naíonra to gaelscoil, funded by Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The result of that research, carried out by Dr. Máire Mhic Mhathúna, Dublin Institute of Technology, is the booklet An Traein as well as a background paper. This booklet contains advice and information for teachers and naíonra leaders and it will be launched in Áras Fhoras na Gaeilge, Dublin 2, Tuesday next, 20 September at 15.00.
A good transfer from naíonra to primary school has a long term effect on the learning capacity of children throughout primary school as a whole. The aim of the booklet, An Traein, is to help naíonra leaders, gaelscoil teachers, and through them, to help children and parents/guardians to facilitate an easy, calm, happy transfer from naíonra to gaelscoil.
Discussed are the main changes in the physical environment, social changes, changes in the sense of identity and the educational changes which children deal with when moving from naíonra/preschool to primary school. An account is given on the specific characteristics related to early-immersion education and language issues in the naíonraí and gaelscoileanna. The work of the naíonra and play as a method of learning for young children is also reviewed.
According to Máire Uí Bhriain, Chairperson of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta, “the developmental stage between the ages of 0-6 years is highly important in the life of the child. This period spans the time children spend in naíonraí and in infant classes in primary school. This new booklet will be of great help for the two levels and we hope that it will benefit the children.”
Referring to the booklet, Mícheál Ó Broin, President of Gaelscoileanna Teo. said, “The similarity is becoming more apparent regarding the working methods in infant classes and the naíonra. This is shown in the curriculum frame-work for early years, Aistear, and in the curriculum for infants in primary school. The background paper that is available for this booklet illustrates this similarity, as well as looking at the national standards frame-work which relate to high standards in early years care and education, Síolta, standards which directly refer to the transfer from preschool to primary school. The availability to schools and naíonraí of this kind of booklet is innovative and we are looking forward to seeing the results in the coming years.”
To get the utmost benefit from this research, the two organisations hope to begin a pilot scheme during 2012 to ensure good practice based on results and evidence. The scheme will be a huge help to naíonraí and gaelscoileanna in the future, in identifying the best and most useful practice, and in ensuring the most effective and easiest implementation for children.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national coordinating body for Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides assistance and support to parents and local communities who wish to found a school and it supports existing Irish-medium schools in their development. More information about the organisation is available at www.gaelscoileanna.ie
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is an all-Ireland voluntary organisation that supports the promotion of care and education services through Irish, for children from an early age. Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta provides support for the establishment, development and administration of the following services through Irish: naíolanna, naíonraí, school age services, summer camps and parent/guardian and toddler groups. For further information visit www.naionrai.ie.
FNT is grant aided by Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Further Information:
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
Clíona Frost 086-0403709
Gaelscoileanna Teo.
Nóra Ní Loingsigh 01-8535191/ 087-6737560
Cruinnithe Poiblí á eagrú chun Gaelscoileanna Nua a Bhunú
September 16, 2011
Irish language youth club
September 16, 2011
Cumann na bhFiann, Ireland’s largest Irish language youth organisation, has opened a new club in Caisleán an Bharraigh.
It will run on Tuesday evenings in Gaelscoil Raifteirí between 5pm and 6.30pm. This club will be run by Barra MacThiarnáin and promises to be a fun filled, enjoyable, club run in a safe environment. It is open to all students from fifth class in primary school right through to Leaving Cert classes, regardless of the level of Irish the student may have. For more information call Barra on 087 988 2180 or by email to barra@cnb.ie
Mayo Advertiser
Ciorcal Comhrá Iarscoile i gCeatharlach
September 15, 2011
An Ghaeilge i do Cheantar: Do Theanga, Do Phobal, Do Rogha
September 14, 2011
4,300 pupils took oral Irish despite ban
September 14, 2011
ALMOST 4,300 students at one in eight second-level schools did a Junior Certificate Irish oral exam this year despite union bans on teachers conducting the tests.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) does not pay for teachers to visit other schools to conduct oral tests for the Junior Certificate, unlike at Leaving Certificate level where the spoken exam is compulsory for Irish and a number of languages. However, although the oral exam is optional at Junior Certificate, the number of schools where students are being examined has soared since the marks for the oral test doubled from 20% of the overall grade to 40% last year. Between 2007, when the changes were announced, and 2009, the number of students who took the optional oral test more than doubled from 339 to 725 at 24 schools. But they rose last year to 1,687 students, 3.6% of all who took Junior Certificate Irish, at 54 schools. The SEC will issue results today to 4,276 students (8.9%) who were examined in oral Irish this year at 94 of the country’s 730 second-level schools in June.
The increase comes in spite of bans by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) on their members doing school-based assessments outside those paid for by the SEC. The Department of Education puts the increase down to pressure from parents on schools to have their children assessed, as they consider it “an important dry run for the high-stakes Leaving Certificate”. Schools notify the SEC on marks for optional oral Irish exams, which are added to those received for the written and listening exams in June. From next summer, the proportion of marks in Leaving Certificate Irish will also rise, from 25% to 40%. It is understood that while some schools pay teachers from other schools or retired staff to conduct the tests teachers at some schools have been assessing their own students. ASTI assistant general secretary Moira Leydon said she understands members have not been assessing their own students, but the union is concerned about teachers assessing students in other schools on an ad-hoc basis, which the union directed them not to do.
She said: “There needs to be a standardised measure applied to all elements of the state exams, whether it’s a practical test for woodwork, singing for music or the written German exam. “But it is also reasonable to expect that the same remuneration given to teachers who take part in other state exam assessments would apply to those who assess oral Irish in the Junior Certificate.” TUI told members not to conduct oral tests until arrangements acceptable to teachers and adequate resources are agreed, including payment and training. The union said it understands that in schools where its members work examiners are recruited from outside or paid by the school or vocational education committee.
Irish Examiner – Niall Murray
14 Meán Fómhair 2011
Gaelchultúr Classes
September 13, 2011
Gaelchultúr’s Irish language evening classes for adults will commence next week (19–22 September 2011). Classes will take place in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Carlow, Dundalk, Limerick, Naas, Sligo and Mullingar. Some places are still available. To view all courses and venues, and to book a place, please go to www.gaelchultur.com.
Eolas/Information: www.gaelchultur.com | eolas@gaelchultur.com | (01) 484 5220 | 1890 252 900
Pacáiste nua POBAL dírithe ar pháistí
September 9, 2011
Seoladh leabhráin nua An Traein
September 9, 2011
Ciorcal Comhrá Iarscoile i gCeatharlach
September 8, 2011
