Méid an Téacs

Principal encourages parents to bring up kids bilingually

Eanáir 8, 2013

A LONDONDERRY school principal has encouraged people to come along to a range of multi-level Irish language classes this New Year to enable them to bring up their children bilingually at home.

Oisín MacEó, principal of Gaelscoil na Daróige encouraged people to look out for classes and events in their own area and to make it their New Year’s resolution to learn or improve their Irish.

“We are offering classes for both the beginner and the more advanced learner in the Ballymagroarty, Springtown, Hazelbank and Rosemount area. There will also be an e-book club for primary pupils and a fun Saturday club for former gaelscoil pupils now at secondary schools,” he said.

He added: “This is open to all family situations, for example whether all the adults speak Irish fluently already or if one or both of the parents is only learning. “The programe will support the parent in drawing up an action plan relevent to them and there will be informal classes directed at learning language used in the home. “It is hoped that this will lead to the establishing of a support group in the town for families looking to bring their children up through Irish or bilingually.”

The beginner and advanced Irish classes will be held at Gaelscoil na Daróige and in the Ballymagroarty Community Flat in Synge Court, while the parents’ programe will take place at the Gaelscoil.

Demand is expected to be high and so people are asked to contact the school as soon as possible at 71371414 by e-mail at scoil1@hotmail.com or on Gaelscoil na Daróige’s Facebook page.

The various Irish language classes and events organised across the town this year will compliment the Líofa initiative, which aims to have 5000 people signed up to become fluent in Irish by 2015.

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