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New careers package to highlight opportunities for language students

October 30, 2012

DVD to be launched by Lynette Fay at Oireachtas na Samhna.

BBC Broadcaster Lynette Fay will launch a new career guidance package, Céim Chun Tosaigh: ag Obair le Gaeilge (A step ahead: Working with the Irish language) at the Oireachtas na Samhna festival in Letterkenny next Friday, November 2nd.

Céim chun Tosaigh: ag Obair le Gaeilge is a career guidance package produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge for second level students across Ireland.

Céim chun Tosaigh hopes to build on this success and provides information and guidance on courses, training options and career paths in Ireland and abroad.

It follows the success of Cuireadh Chun Cainte, another multimedia project to result from this partnership, which was one the most viewed Irish language content channels on Youtube in the Spring of 2012.

The multimedia package includes a DVD which can be used as a learning resource in classrooms, a handbook with general information on career areas and skills and a series of lively short films and interviews which will be published online on Youtube and Vimeo.

With the exponential growth of mobile technology use amongst teenagers in particular, it is hoped that students will be able to watch these bite-size interviews on the go.

Presented by Sibéal Davitt and Ciarán Ó Conghaíle, the full length programme focuses on a wide range of careers, from media, teaching, technology, linguistics, law, language teaching, sports, the army, the arts, business and childcare.

The DVD examines the challenges faced by graduates in the difficult economic climate, while some of those interviewed have been successful working in careers working with the language far afield from New York to Brussels.

It also highlights the highly transferable skills which multilingual graduates have and the dynamic career paths which are open to them.

This Irish language programme features full subtitles in English and Irish making it a suitable learning resource for all second-level schools in Ireland.
Participants in the project include:

Elaine Ní Bhraonáin from Dublin who teaches the Irish language in New York;

Ciara Roosli who works as a surf instructor in Tramore Co. Waterford;

Joanne Uí Chuana a successful business woman who runs Irish language crèches in the Leinster region;

Conall Ó Máirtín, a teacher from Armagh who has worked on TG4 sports commentary;

Pat O’Connor from Galway who works as a press officer for the Defence Forces;

Mícheal Ó Leidhin from Kerry who works as a reporter with RTÉ News;

Vivienne Breathnach, a legal linguist from Kilkenny working in the European Commission;

Breda Ní Mhaoláin, an interpreter working for the European Institutions;

Contemporary artist Sínead Ní Mhaonaigh who lives in Wicklow and

Actor Diarmaid Murtagh from Cavan who has worked on television and film – The Tudors and Seacht.

The Céim chun Tosaigh package will be launched officially by BBC broadcaster Lynette Fay in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny on November 2nd 2012 at 5pm.

This project received funding from Foras na Gaeilge; An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and Teacher Partner Networks.

Video production of this project was produced in partnership with Red Shoe Productions, the makers of TG4’s flagship arts programme Imeall.

Information packs will be distributed to schools on a 32 county basis following this with all content to be published on line in November. For further information contact eolas@gaelport.com