Gabh le Gaeilge, the result of co-operation and a highlight of 2010
December 14, 2010
One highlight of 2010 for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge was the official launch of the DVD ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ at the Oireachtas festival in Killarney.
Gabh Le Gaeilge is an information package for GCSE students in Northern Ireland, produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge. The DVD, and the information pack that accompanies it, explain the benefits of studying Irish as a school subject.
Not only is ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ an excellent aid for students, teachers, and parents alike, but it is also an excellent example of what can be achieved through strategic co-operation. ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ was a joint venture which arose organically from a seminar of Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge which both organizations held in Belfast. Both organisations brought a unique set of skills to the project, which meant the project could be completed efficiently, effectively and economically.
There are over 150 subjects available for the GCSE but the number of students choosing Irish has fallen by 25% over the past three years, with many students choosing other languages instead of Irish. Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge undertook this particular project to tackle this current trend in decreasing figures.
The ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’ DVD and information pack, will be sent to teachers in English speaking schools, to help them promote Irish as a choice for the GCSE. The pack is aimed at students between 11-14 years of age, with little Irish, so simple clear Irish is used throughout the DVD, and the rhythm of the DVD is suitably timed.
In the DVD, Caoimhe Ní Chonchoille introduces speakers from different backgrounds, who speak about the Irish language in their lives. The speakers on the DVD include Tomaí Ó Conghaile (Radio presenter and journalist with Nuacht 24), Ursula Uí Dhonnaile (Irish language officer with Dungannon Council) and Mark Harte (Former footballer with Tyrone, and secondary school teacher).
To order a free copy of ‘Gabh le Gaeilge’, please e-mail gabhlegaeilge@gaelport.com. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge hope to build on the premise of co-operation throughout 2011, in conjunction with our member organisations.
