TG4 show tackles new oral Irish exam
April 3, 2012
As Leaving Certificate students prepare for this year’s Irish language oral exam, TG4 are set to broadcast a new programme, ‘Cuireadh chun cainte’ featuring actor Marcus Lamb which will ease students into the revised new format of the exam.
The programme will air on Wednesday 11th April at 11a.m to facilitate students preparing for the exam.
This is first year of a new syllabus for both the written and oral exam at Leaving Certificate level. From 2012, 40% of the marks for the Irish exam will be awarded for the Irish oral, an exam which takes place over a fifteen minute period.
This increased emphasis on the oral exam will mean that the expert advice compiled by educational experts for ‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ will be beneficial to students tackling the new syllabus.
‘Cuireadh Chun Cainte’ has been produced by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge, for students who will be undertaking the new Irish oral for their Leaving Certificate from 2012 on.
In the programme Marcus Lamb ( Ros na Rún, Corp agus Anam) explains the structure of the new oral exam and he takes students through a real-life scenario where a ‘scrúdaitheoir’ or examiner meets students of varying language abilities. He also explains new elements to this year’s exam which differ greatly from the béaltriail as we know it, including a new section where students have to comment on a series of pictures.
‘Cuireadh chun Cainte’ gives students the tools to successfully undertake each of the four components of the exam at either Higher or Ordinary Level.
The programme is suitable for students at both Higher and Ordinary Level, as practical advice is given on to how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to undertake effective communication with the examiner.
For those wanting to gain extra marks, extra hints are given to those with a good proficiency in Irish to help them add to their fluency, their vocabulary and their communication skills.
Extra learning resources such as a handbook and videos of individual poems are available free of charge on the Irish language news and information website http://www.gaelport.com/cuireadhchuncainteb.
GAELPORT
40 scoil lán-Ghaeilge san áireamh i bplean tógála an Rialtais
March 13, 2012
Petition to support gaelscoileanna
March 1, 2012
Gaelscoileanna Teoranta are asking people to show their support for small gaelscoileanna by signing an online petition against the proposed cuts in the pupil teacher ratio.
The petition was set up as a result of the cuts put forward by the Government in the 2011 Budget.
The cuts proposed in last December’s Budget will result in the number of pupils required for a four-teacher school increasing from 81 to 83 students.
For Gaeltacht schools, the number would raise from 76 to 86 by 2014, a hike that will require 10 extra pupils for each Gaeltacht school to preserve their four-teacher status.
It is argued as part of the petition that up to 31 gaelscoileanna will lose one teacher if the proposed increase in the pupil teacher ratio is put in place.
The online petition has been set up by a parent and it is another step in the intense campaign currently being undertaken by parents, staff and schoolchildren against the cuts.
Protests took place around the country at the weekend and the crowds in attendance made sure that their opposition to the proposals was heard. The protests were organised by the Save Our Small Schools Campaign and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, and more action opposing the cuts is expected over the next few months.
To sign the petition go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/gaelscoileanna-cuts-protest/
National protest to protect small schools
February 21, 2012
Thousands of people will gather around the country this week in opposition to the cuts to small schools proposed in the December’s Budget.
Two national days of protest against the cuts have been organsied by the various organisations involved and are due to take place this week.
Members of DEIS schools will gather at the Dáil at 3.30 pm on Thursday, 23rd February. A large group is expected on the day in addition to several other protests by DEIS schools that will take place around the country.
The second day of protests will occur on Saturday, 25th February and is being organised by the Save Our Small Schools campaign and various branches of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). Save Our Small Schools has established many groups throughout the country in recent times, as a result of the proposed cuts and crowds are expected to gather in Kerry, Clare, Waterford, Donegal and Galway on the day. 150 schools and 3000 people are expected to take to the streets of Castlebar on Saturday where the group will march on the constituency office of An Taoiseach to demonstrate their opposition to the proposed cuts.
Branches of the INTO will march around the country on Saturday including Craobh an Earagail in Gaoth Dobhair. They will gather at An Screabán (the office of Roinn na Gaeltachta) at midday and they are urging members of all local schools, boards of management, parents and staff to join them on the day.
The cuts proposed in last December’s Budget will result in the number of pupils required for a four-teacher school increasing from 81 to 83 students. For Gaeltacht schools, the number would raise from 76 to 86 by 2014, a hike that will require 10 extra pupils for each Gaeltacht school to preserve their four-teacher status.
GAELPORT
Eagraíochtaí Gaeilge slán go dtí Meitheamh 2013
February 15, 2012
Report on Gaelscoileanna
February 7, 2012
Children attending Gaelscoileanna are more likely to read for pleasure and participate in cultural activities than children who attend English-medium schools.
That is according to the latest Growing Up in Ireland survey from the Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College.
The report’s findings, published by the ESRI on 26th January, are based on a nationwide survey carried out to assess the educational and recreational activities of nine-year-old children.
According to the report, children who attend Gaelscoileanna are the most likely to participate in cultural after-school activities as opposed to focusing on sport alone or watching television. Nine-year-olds who attend Gaelscoileanna, particularly girls, were also found to have a more positive attitude to reading and tend to read for pleasure more frequently than children in English-medium and Gaeltacht schools.
Gaelscoileanna were found to provide a broader curriculum than English-medium and Gaeltacht schools, with more time spent on subjects such as Drama, Music and PE. The report went on to explain that these subjects are used as a method of teaching the language.
Children in Gaelscoileanna were also found to be more positive about the Irish language with 45% of those surveyed saying that they ‘always’ like Irish. The results in Gaeltacht schools were similar with almost 40% of children saying they ‘always’ like Irish. However, only 20% of children attending English-medium schools said they ‘always’ like Irish with 30% saying they ‘never ‘ liked Irish.
GAELPORT
Irish language teaching resources on iTunes
February 7, 2012
Last Wednesday Director of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta launched a new channel of multimedia learning resources on iTunes called iTunes U in Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim in Carna, Co Galway.
This joint venture between an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, which they have being working on in recent years, produced a wonderful resource for teachers and parents alike.
This excellent collection of sound, visual, songs, stories, poems and historic stories was carefully chosen from the archives of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh archives as a research project which is compiled by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Carna.
This new resource which was funded by COGG is aimed at primary school and post-primary schools teaching through the medium of Irish and schools located in Gaeltacht areas.
With over 300 items to choose from, this is a wonderful new resource for children and teenagers with stories from An Gúm, and a science video presented by teacher Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin which is aimed at students at junior cert level.
The stories and various historic segments can be heard in Ulster, Munster and Connaught dialects.
As well as being an educational resource the main aim of this newly launched resource is to attract youngsters back to how life was over thirty years ago and get a better understanding of their heritage, culture and language. It is available at: itunes.cogg.ie
GAELPORT
New Syllabus for third level Irish students
February 6, 2012
A new syllabus for third level students studying the Irish language hopes to inspire students and develop further self-awareness and awareness of the language in new cultural contexts.
The syllabus will be launched today in St. Patrick’s College in Drumcondra in Dublin and it is the third syllabus to be developed by an advisory group An Mheitheal um Theagasc na Gaeilge ar an Tríú Leibhéal.
Dr Máirín Nic Eoin of St. Patrick’s College, Dublin and Dr John Walsh of NUI Galway are director of the project. The new syllabus is based on level B2 of an international benchmark for language learning known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.It addresses differences in language ability, the needs of students as well the implementation of the syllabus and examinations as well as themes, learning outcomes and language skills to be developed by University students.
It follows the publication of a syllabus for first and second year students of the language at third level. All reference material, resources and the syllabus can be viewed online on www.teagascnagaeilge.ie
GAELPORT
Agóid na scoileanna Gaeltachta
February 3, 2012
Cúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta le plé sa Seanad Dé Céadaoin
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