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Your chance to learn Irish

September 3, 2012

“TO BE FLUENT in Irish by 2015” is the exciting and challenging target which over 2015 people across the north have currently committed themselves to as part of the ‘Líofa 2015’ project.

Líofa means fluent and the Líofa 2015 project is the brainchild of Carál Ní Chuilín, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure in an effort to promote the Gaelic Language and culture.

The project has proved hugely successful and since the original target has not only been reached but exceeded, a new target of 5000 people has now been set.

There has never been a better time to learn the Irish language. Some people may want to communicate with their children who are learning Irish at school with simple words or phrases and some people may never have had the chance to learn the language and are curious about it.

There really is no reason not to tap into learning Irish. You have nothing to lose and lots of new experiences, thoughts and perspectives to gain.

Irish Language Development is being encouraged and promoted through your local Council in partnership with local community groups and relevant Irish Language organisations such as Foras na Gaeilge, the all-Ireland body responsible for the promotion of Irish.

“As September approaches, it is time to start thinking about availing of the many opportunities to learn Irish that will be out there from mid-September on in the Cookstown and Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council areas.” explains Seosaimhín Nic Eachaidh, Irish Language Development Officer.

Three levels of classes are generally offered – Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced – so that learners can learn at a pace that suits them. The numbers of locations in which classes are being made available is constantly increasing as more and more community groups are continuing to come forward to have classses organised in their community.

The Irish Language Development Officer is very much excited at this and wants to make other groups aware that the Councils can advise and help facilitate groups to develop Irish Language activity.

Some people may want to brush up on the Irish Language skills they acquired at school or night classes and they too, may like to attend a Beginners’ class if they want to be ‘comfortable’ or an Intermediate class if they want to be ‘pushed’.

At all three levels emphasis will be placed on confidence building, practical use of language, repetition and practise and this is often most needed at the Intermediate level.

Intermediate or Improvers’ classes are ideally suitable for those who have achieved good results in Irish at school in GCSE or A Level.

University of Ulster’s part-time Irish Language Diploma is unique in that it is ideally suited for both those who want to be ‘comfortable’ and simultaneously, for those who want to be ‘challenged’.

As a result of the Líofa campaign work is ongoing to establish an Irish Language Diploma programme in Cookstown in 2012/13 as it offers a fast-track to fluency.

The part-time Diploma programme offers flexibility as it is recognised that many of those wishing to be fluent by 2015 are learning the language in their spare time.

Dr Malachy Ó Neill explains: “This course is perfect for those who already have cúpla focal and who strive to; speak fluently, listen effectively, read confidently and write accurately.”

Successful Diploma graduates may enter Year 2 of part-time degree course or Year 1 of full time degree course. For more information contact Malachy Ó Néill via email at gaeilge@ulster.ac.uk.

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