Foirgneamh nua Ghaelscoil Phort Laoise
September 25, 2013
Afterschool Chat Group for Teenagers
September 25, 2013
This is a weekly chat group for teenagers in first and second year of secondary school … homework will serve as a guide to the sessions but talking, listening and hearing Irish spoken is to be the main focus … for €2 per week, from Wed., 2 Oct., 16:15 – 17:15.
The group meets in the only centre in East Galway for Irish, Gaeilge Locha Riach, 3 Old Galway Road, Loughrea. Tea and coffee is provided for parents while they wait.
Info: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
Coláiste Chamuis celebrating 40 Years
September 24, 2013
Established in 1973, Coláiste Chamuis has gone from strength to strength ever since.
To celebrate 40 successful years, Coláiste Chamuis will host a celebratory dinner and evening of entertainment in The Connemara Coast Hotel on Saturday 28 September. Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, T.D., will attend as a guest of honour, along with host families who have kept students over the years, present and past staff and students of Coláiste Chamuis and many other friends of the college.
Coláiste Chamuis first opened its doors in 1973, with 52 students, 2 teachers and 10 households who kept the students. 37 of that group returned the following year and Coláiste Chamuis was under way. Numbers increased steadily until 1978 when a second course was added. In 1985 a second centre was opened at An Tulach, and again due to increased demand, a third centre was opened in 1992 at Ros a’Mhíl. A purpose-built centre, Teálta na hÓige, was opened in Ros a’Mhíl in 2003.
Coláiste Chamuis caters each summer for some 1,500 students from all around the country. Recently, the college has provided a new Easter course for student teachers. Many past pupils of Coláiste Chamuis are still actively involved in activities involving Irish, such as education, journalism, arts, entertainment and heritage, law and business.
Students of the college have come to appreciate the motto of 40 years, ‘Is fiú agus is féidir’ (You can—and it is worth it). The Coláiste Chamuis experience is also beneficial for local Gaeltacht teenagers, some of whom work with the college during courses, as they come to appreciate their own language by seeing others wish to learn it.
Coláiste Chamuis employs some 70 staff during courses. Irish colleges have a significant economic effect on the Connemara Gaeltacht with the sector generating economic activity valued at €50M each year.
Manager of Coláiste Chamuis, Máire Denvir contends: “In the context of tourism, Irish colleges represent cultural tourism par excellence, as economic development goes hand in hand with positive language planning policies, and the Coláistí are based on the most important natural resource in the Gaeltacht — the Irish language”.
www.gaelport.com
Mórphlean gníomhaíochta na Ceathrún Gaeltachta seolta
September 24, 2013
Minister Quinn launches public consultation on inclusiveness in primary schools
September 23, 2013
Historic initiative to consult directly with parents about how all children can be made to feel included and involved in their local primary school
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D, and the CEO of the National Parents Council Primary, Áine Lynch, joined forces today to launch a public consultation on promoting inclusiveness in primary schools, which includes an information leaflet specifically for parents.
The public consultation process is part of the Minister’s Action Plan in response to the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
As well as dealing with the divesting of patronage of certain schools by the Catholic Church, the Group made a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring that schools, particularly Stand Alone schools which cater to entire communities, are as inclusive as possible and accommodate students of various belief systems and traditions. The recommendations cover areas such as having equitable enrolment policies; dealing effectively with the Constitutional right to opt out of religious instruction; having school policies on the conduct of religious and cultural celebrations in schools as well as having Boards of Management of denominational schools reflect the diversity of the local community.
Launching the consultation process, Minister Quinn said “Schools should be welcoming places for all children from the local community. We all know that Irish society has changed a lot in recent years. Our education system needs to adapt, to make sure that, as well as continuing to cater for children with more traditional religious beliefs, there is also respect for children of different traditions and beliefs.
“I want to thank Áine Lynch and her colleagues in the National Parents Council Primary for working with my Department on preparing the information leaflet for parents, and for agreeing to circulate the leaflet to parents’ associations nationwide.”
The Minister urged parents and other interested parties to make submissions.
“This is your chance to have your say and share your views with us”, he said. “I strongly encourage parents, teachers and all those with an interest in this area to take this opportunity. Many schools are already doing a good job in catering for children from different cultural, religious and belief traditions. I also want to hear about these good practices.”
Aine Lynch also urged parents to engage in the consultation process, stating that the education system in Ireland must ensure that all children’s and families beliefs are respected and valued.
“Parents and children have a unique contribution to make to this consultation process by outlining their experiences both positive and negative and to make proposals for the education system they would like to experience into the future”, she said.
The deadline for receipt of submissions is 22 November 2013.
Following the consultation process, the Forum Report findings and recommendations in this area and the submissions received will be considered in drafting a White Paper as set out in the Programme for Government.
For further information please contact:
Siobhán Creaton 087 941 6286
Sarah Moroney 087 772 0570
Minister Quinn published the Forum Advisory Group report in April 2012 and announced his action plan in response to this report in June 2012. The report and further details are available on the Department’s website www.education.ie.
Clubanna Óige Cumann na bhFiann
September 23, 2013
Language Planning Criteria announced
September 20, 2013
The Regulations prescribing the language planning criteria under section 12 of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 were announced by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht this week. These criteria will be used to evaluate language plans prepared for Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Gaeltacht was divided into 19 separate language planning regions, with the intention that a unique language plan would be drafted for each selected region. It was agreed at that time that a supervisory body would be named in each region to work alongside Údarás na Gaeltachta in implementing the language plan on the ground. In May of this year, it was announced that the language planning areas had been redefined, which meant an increase from 19 distinct areas to 26.
Announcing the new criteria, Minister of State, Dinny McGinley, T.D., said: “The publication of these criteria signifies another step forward in the language planning process. As a result of these Regulations, there is clarity regarding the criteria which will be used by my Department in the assessment of language plans prior to their approval. Based on this process, various areas may be designated as Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, as Gaeltacht Service Towns or as Irish Language Networks, as appropriate, in accordance with the Gaeltacht Act.”
The bullet points below outline the next steps to be undertaken by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, to progress the language planning process:
- The Department is preparing guidelines, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, which will set out a transparent process for the preparation, implementation and assessment of language plans in the areas, towns and networks. These guidelines will assist the community organisations undertaking the language planning process on the ground.
- Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge are preparing a transparent system by which organisations will be chosen to prepare and implement language plans in the various areas.
- The Department is preparing notices, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta, under section 7(3) of the Act which will define the various electoral divisions included in the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.
The language planning criteria can be viewed by clicking the following link: Ionstraimí Reachtúla IR 357 de 2013 (Critéir Pleanála Teanga).pdf
Irish language classes in Wexford
September 19, 2013
Irish language classes for adults are returning to Wexford for Autumn 2013 and spring 2014
There are different levels to available to suit all levels Na Macallaí are also delighted to offer TEB B2 (Advanced Intermediate) again. Level B2 is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills as meeting the Irish Language entry requirements for Primary School Teacher Training Courses in the education colleges. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to pursue a career in the teaching profession, but who may not fulfil the Irish Language Entry requirements. This course is the equivalent of getting a C3 or higher in Gaeilge in the Leaving Certificate. The TEG syllabus and exams are structured different to the Leaving Certificate and are focused on the adult learner with the major emphasis on communicative Irish.
Registration date: 30/09/2013
Venue: Loch Garman @ An Tobar, Westgate Heritage Centre
Time: 7.30pm
Prices:
Beginners (Level A1) €120
Advanced Beginners ( Level A2) €120
Intermediate (Level B1) €150
Advanced Intermediate (Level B2) €220
N.B Prices quoted above are for 12 weeks. A full course is 24 weeks in duration. B2 is 32 weeks in duration. For further information contact: oifig@lochgarman.ie 087 913 5271 www.lochgarman.ie
N.B A course will only be run where there is sufficient demand, 8-10 participants minimum
Ranganna pianó trí mheán na Gaeilge
September 18, 2013
Iarratas ar Thairiscint – COGG
September 18, 2013
