Altram Conference
October 18, 2013
“Two Windows on the World” – Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta Altram. Tower Hotel Derry. 25.09.13- 26.09.13 -27.09.13
Official Launch
Altram’s first ever international conference on early years’ bilingualism, “Two Windows on the World”, was officially launched by Mark Durkan MP, at a celebration in the Tower Hotel, Derry on Wednesday evening, 25 September 2013. The Conference mission was “To celebrate, learn, inform and promote” the general benefits of becoming bilingual at an early age, with special focus on Irish language immersion.
Chair of Altram and Bean a Tí for the night, Áine Andrews, introduced Mayor of Derry Martin Reilly, who welcomed delegates to the city. She also introduced and thanked the other speakers, City of Derry Culture Company representative Shona Mc Carthy and Gerry Conway, Regional Commissioner for the Health & Social Care Board whose organisations, together with Foras na Gaeilge and Iontaobhas Ultach, had sponsored the Conference.
Talented past or present pupils of Irish-immersion nursery and primary schools provided the night’s entertainment – step dancing from Gaelscoil na bhFál sisters Clíona and Éimear Devlin, sean-nós dancing from Edel Ní Churraoin, traditional music by Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir brother and sister, Donncha Mac Giolla Mhuire and Níamh Níc Ghiolla Mhuire, all rounded off by an impressive set from Belfast-based singer Gráinne Holland, a past pupil of Bunscoil Phobal Feirste. The cráic was mighty and the tone set for the next two days of “Two Windows on the World”.
Day 1
On Thursday 26 September, European Languages Day, around 50 delegates from professional child care, education, public and community sector backgrounds attended and heard Martina Anderson MEP give the opening address.
Dónall Ó Riagáin, Independent Consultant and former Head of the European Bureau on Lesser Used Languages, introduced the speakers for the morning session. First up was Dr. Antonella Sorace, Professor of Developmental Linguistics at University of Edinburgh, who addressed the question “Why does bilingualism matter?” Next was Dr. Piet Van de Craén from Vrije University in Brussels speaking on “Early Bilingualism & the European Union”. There were also interesting talks from Aodán Mac Póilin, the Director of ULTACH Trust on “The Irish Language – The Northern Ireland Situation”, and Áine Andrews, Chairperson of Altram, on “Early Years Irish Language Immersion in Northern Ireland, Achievements & Challenges”.
The aim of Day 1 was to provide a greater insight into bilingualism and early years’ language immersion. Commenting after hearing the presentations the general opinion was that they had contributed to valuable new perspectives on policy development and good practice.
Day 2
Naíscoil practitioners were very much the target audience on the second day of the conference on Friday 27th September. More than 65 delegates from the Irish-medium early years sector came along to hear new information and learn about new ideas and techniques which they could then apply in their own naíscoil settings. Friday’s programme opened with an entertaining set of performances from children who attend Irish medium schools in Derry – Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir and Bunscoil Cholmcille. Prof. Antonella Sorace was again on hand to give the headline talk on ‘Why Bilingualism Matters?” This was followed by excellent, enjoyable practical workshops from children’s theatre company Ababú on and The Gathering Drum.
The event showcased and celebrated Derry’s culture and heritage in this, the year of the City of Culture. Altram hopes that the conference will leave a lasting legacy of better understanding of the place of early years’ Irish language acquisition in our own society.
Grianghraf (gaelscoil na bhFál)
