Moladh le CCEA – leabhair iontacha
Meitheamh 4, 2013
Tá séasúr na scrúduithe ann arís.
Beidh díomá ar dhaltaí áirithe agus beidh áthas ar dhaltaí eile. Beidh imní an tsaoil ar thuismitheoirí. Beidh a lán gearán ann gan amhras. B’fhéidir go mbeidh níos mó gearán ann i mbliana toisc go gceartófar scrúduithe áirithe ar líne agus is cinnte go mbeidh fadhbanna ghearradh fiacal ann.
Ach tá níos mó in obair an Bhord Scrúduithe sa Tuaisceart (CCEA) ná ullmhúchán agus ceartúchán scrúduithe. Foilsíonn sé treoracha do mhúinteoirí agus do dhaltaí maidir le scrúduithe, ach chomh maith leis sin cuireann sé amach ábhair bhreise a chuireann le stór focal an dalta ar bhealach cruithaitheach. D’fhoilsigh sé dhá aistriúchán ar na mallaibh – ‘Anne Frank, Dialann Cailín Óig’ agus ‘An gasúr a chaith pitseamaí stríocacha’. Rinne Pádraig de Bléine an dá aistriúchán go Gaeilge ghlan bhlasta. Tá sraith de bheathaisnéisí foilsithe ag an Bhord chomh maith- ábhar léitheoireachta do dhéagóirí atá de dhíth. Agus tá CCEA i ndiaidh sé leabhrán faoi bheatha Cholm Cille a chur amach i gcomhoibriú leis an Nerve Centre i nDoire. Leabhair bheaga an-tarraingteacha atá iontu. Tá na pictiúir ar fheabhas. Insítear na scéalta i nGaeilge shimplí bheomhar agus tá an stíl thar a bheith greannmhar.Má thiontaíonn tú na leabhráin bunoscionn, faigheann tú an leagan Béarla.
Is polasaí fadcheannach é seo. Tá riachtanais na ndaltaí Gaeilge difriúil leis na riachtanais atá ag daltaí a dhéanann teangacha eile. An chéad chéim in athsheilbh na teanga atá sa GCSE. Mar sin de, is cóir cur leis an bhunGhaeilge atá de dhíth don scrúdú. Is ullmhúchán iontach é do AS agus A Leibhéal an t-ábhar breise seo. Tá pobal léitheoireachta níos leithne tuillte ag na leabhair seo. Bheadh suim iontu ag daltaí ar fud an oileáin agus ag daoine fásta gach uile áit. An dtiocfadh leis an Bhord socrú a dhéanamh le foilsitheoir?
www.derryjournal.co.uk
Reprieve for Buncrana’s Irish Language school
Bealtaine 20, 2013
Inishowen’s only Irish language secondary school has been granted a ‘stay of execution’ as the Department of Eudcation has decided to extend provisional recognition to Coláiste Chineál Eoghain for the 2013/2014 year.
There was outcry several months ago when it became clear the Department intended to close the Irish medium school because of ‘insufficient numbers’. The decision caused outrage locally.
Speaking yesterday Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh described the Department’s move as ‘a very positive step’ for Inishowen families and for the Irish language.
“I have been working with Coláiste Chineál Eoghain and with Donegal VEC since last March to secure this extension. I made a number of submissions to the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD, about this matter, and I also raised the issue directly with senior officials in the Department.
Inishowen Sinn Féin Councillor and VEC board member, Jack Murray confirmed he had spoken to VEC Chief Executive Shaun Purcell, and he was delighted that Colaiste Chineal Eoghain will remain open.
“This announcement provides some certainty for those families who intend to enrol their children in the school this year. “I would encourage anyone who is still considering Colaiste Chineal Eoghain as an option for their child to do so
“I will continue to work to ensure the future for Irish language education in Inishowen.”
Labour Senator, Jimmy Harte also welcomed the decision.
www.derryjournal.com
An tAos óg agus an Ghaeilge
Bealtaine 13, 2013
Bhog Donncha Ó hÉallaithe ó Bhaile Átha Cliath go Conamara 40 bliain ó shin.
‘B’í an Ghaeilge a mheall mé le bogadh amach as Baile Átha Cliath,’ a deir sé san eagrán reatha de beo.ie. Ach téann sé ar aghaidh: ‘Tá creimeadh mór tarlaithe ar an Ghaeilge ó shin… Tá cuid mhaith de na daoine óga ag diúltú an Ghaeilge a labhairt mar gnáth- theanga eatarthu féin…Is meascán aisteach de Bhéarla agus Gaeilge atá acu’.
Agus ag an deireadh cuireann sé ceist: ‘Cad is fiú a bheith ag iarraidh teanga a tharrtháil ón bhás atá chomh truaillithe i mbéal na gcainteoirí dúchais deireanacha?’
Is léir nach bhfuil Gaeilge na gcainteoirí Gaeilge sa lá atá inniu ann chomh saibhir is a bhí Gaeilge na glúine a chuaigh rompu. Ach is féidir sin a rá faoi theanga ar bith.
Fiafraigh de Bhéarlóir óg cad is ‘replenishment’ ann. Fiafraigh de cad is ‘wireless’ ann. Tá stór focal coitianta an Bhéarla an-teoranta anois. Deirtear go bhfuil tú ábalta teacht slán le 600 focal sa Bhéarla. Agus sílim nach bhfuil ach thart fá chéad focal de dhíth má úsáideann tú an focal ‘f-’.
Ach cad chuige a dtréigeann daoine óga an Ghaeilge? Creideann cuid mhaith acu nach fíortheanga í. Níl páipéar laethúil againn i nGaeilge fiú. Thig leat post a fháil sa státseirbhís, nó post mar mhúinteoir nó post mar gharda gan Ghaeilge nó le Gaeilge nach bhfuil thar mholadh beirte. Nach féidir an Ghaeilge a dhéanamh réadúil? Nach féidir leis an rialtas i mBaile Átha Cliath lipéid agus fógraí dátheangacha a dhéanamh riachtanach i siopaí? Déantar seo i dtíortha eile.
Ach os a choinne sin, caithfimid ár ndóchas a choinneáil. Tá a lán páistí ag foghlaim Gaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Úsáideann siad an teanga agus tá siad ag baint suilt aisti. Tá an Ghaelscolaíocht ag dul ó neart go neart ar fud na tíre ach amháin i gCathair an Chultúir agus in Inis Eoghain, de réir cosúlachta. Tá na huimhreacha íseal sna trí bhunscoil i nDoire agus tá an Ghaelscoil i mBun Cranncha i mbaol. Ba chóir do mhuintir na háite ceist a chur orthu féin.
www.derryjournal.com
Gaeltacht ar an dé deiridh?
Aibreán 2, 2013
‘Níl a leithéid de rud againn níos mó agus Gaeltacht,’a deir Seosamh Mac Donnacha san eagrán reatha de Comhar.
Maíonn sé gur cainteoirí dúchais dátheangacha iad formhór mhuintir na Gaeltachta, agus nach sealbhaíonn siad an dá theanga ag an luas céanna ná go dtí an leibhéal cumais céanna.
Caithfimid ceist bhunúsach a chur orainn: cad is Gaeltacht ann? Go dtí seo, tá Rialtas Bhaile Átha Cliath sásta líne a tharraingt agus ‘tearmann Indiach’ a chruthú, gan bonneagar ceart.
Deir Mac Donnacha nach mbeadh páiste a tógadh leis an Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht ábalta seirbhísí bunúsacha a fháil tríd an Ghaeilge, nach mbeadh sé ábalta oideachas a fháil go hiomlán tríd an Ghaeilge, nach mbeadh sé in ann post a fháil mura bhfuil Béarla aige, agus nach mbeadh sé ábalta labhairt leis na gardaí i nGaoth Dobhair i nGaeilge.
Sin an fhadhb is mó atá againn maidir leis an Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus sa Ghalltacht: níl an Ghaeilge sa timpeallacht. Nuair a théann tú isteach i siopa nuachtán mór anseo, feiceann tú na céadta iris i mBéarla (ráiméis an chuid is mó acu, ach sin scéal eile). Ní féidir leat iris Ghaeilge a fháil i siopa nuachtán ar bith i nDoire. Dála an scéil, thig leat Paris Match a cheannach i lár na cathrach gach seachtain.
Má théann tú thar sáile, is féidir leat teanga na tíre a phiocadh suas go gasta. Labhraítear í i ngach áit: ar an tsráid, sa teach, sna siopaí, sna hoifigí srl. Cluineann tú an teanga an t-am ar fad ar an raidió agus ar an teilifís. Feiceann tú nuachtáin agus fógraí sa teanga. Bíonn tú i dteagmháil leis an teanga i gcónaí – fírinne fhollasach. Ach ní tharlaíonn sin in Éirinn. Agus ní féidir teanga a fhorbairt mura mbaintear úsáid aisti go leanúnach i saol an phobail.
Níl ach tír amháin ar dhroim an domhain ina bhfuil tú in ann post a fháil san earnáil phoiblí mura bhfuil an teanga náisiúnta agat- sin teach na ngealt darb ainm Éire, ar ndóigh, tír ina bhfuil polaiteoirí gan mhaith agus maorlathaithe gan anam.
Bhuel, tá Lá ’le Pádraig thart. Cuirfear an Ghaeilge ar ais sa tarraiceán go ceann bliana eile. Ach má théimid ar aghaidh mar atá muid, rachaimid chuig an chófra lá éigin, agus ní bheidh rud ar bith ann.
www.derryjournal.com
Irish language podcasts launched
Feabhra 20, 2013
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is now offering a series of free podcasts online to help people learn Irish.
The ‘Cultúr le Comhrá’ programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, was launched by the Mayor of Derry, councillor Kevin Campbell, and is designed to allow people to learn Irish from home.
The course is suitable for those who want to start from scratch and for those with some Irish already who want to improve their language skills. Each podcast is available to download free of charge from the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin website.
Ciara Nic Lochlainn, project co-ordinator said: “Cultúr le Comhrá means Culture with Conversation and these podcasts which are based on conversation between two speakers are like mini Irish lessons.
“They give learners the opportunity to learn Irish in an easy way without spending any money and fit perfectly with the Líofa 2015 initiative launched some time ago.
“This series will run for 30 weeks and there will be five programmes broadcast per week. Cultúr le Comhrá will be divided into 3 Sections, 10 weeks of podcasts for complete Beginners, 10 weeks of podcasts for Intermediate learners and 10 weeks of podcast for advanced learners.”
The first podcast became available for download or to listen to yesterday at www.culturlann-doire.ie
For more information contact 02871 264132
www.derryjournal.com
Irish language book festival for Derry
Feabhra 19, 2013
The first Irish language book and storytelling festival to take place here will keep local children entertained in March.
Féile Bheag na Leabhar runs from 7th – 9th March as part of Irish Language Week 2013.
The festival aims to inspire a love of books, reading and storytelling in the Irish language among children of all ages. Féile Bheag na Leabhar begins on Thursday March 7 with a special storytelling event for children aged between 8 and 11 to celebrate World Book Day.
Led by award-winning Donegal storyteller Gearóidín Bhreathnach, the World Book Day event will encourage children to talk as Gaeilge with the guest storyteller and each other about their favourite books in Irish and help them find new books to fall in love with. On Friday 8th March, well-known Irish language writer and storyteller, Séamas Mac Annaidh will lead a reading and storytelling event for children aged between 5 and 7 which will re-imagine traditional Irish myths and fables for a younger audience.
This event will feature folktales and legends reinterpreted for new listeners and told in the storyteller’s inimitable dramatic style. The festival closes on Saturday 9th March with the launch of the beautiful children’s book ‘Déanann Rosie Réidh’ which was written, illustrated and produced by local author Trisha Deery and which will be read in Irish by Derry-based performance artist Cara Ní Mhaonaigh.
Participating children are invited to come dressed for a party like the Rosie Red character who features in the book and hear stories in Irish take part in some fun party activities in the Irish language. Trisha Deery who wrote and illustrated the book will also be there to join in the celebrations and to do some live drawing with the children! Féile Bheag na Leabhar is organised by Derry City Council in partnership with the Humdinger! Children’s Literature Festival.
You can download the full Humdinger! programme from the following link: www.humdingerbookfestival.com.
www.derryjournal.com
Gaeloideachas
Nollaig 10, 2012
‘Ní ualach an t-oideachas, ach is ualach mór an t-aineolas.’
Ach cad is oideachas ann? Is próiseas é ina bhfoghlaimíonn páiste maireachtáil ar dhóigh shásúil, ag baint suilt as a bhfuil thart timpeall air, ón taobh fisiciúil de, ón taobh cultúrtha de agus ón taobh spioradálta de.
Ag an am seo den bhliain, tá tuismitheoirí ag smaoineamh ar an sórt oideachais ba mhaith leo a bpáistí a fháil. Ba chóir don chóras oideachais an páiste a dhéanamh réidh do shaol atá níos lú, do shaol idirnáisiúnta, do shaol ina bhfuil daoine ag taisteal níos mó. Tá scileanna de dhíth anois nach raibh chomh tábhachtach sin roinnt blianta ó shin.
Aontaíonn achan duine go bhfuil na teangacha an-tábhachtach sa lá atá inniu ann. Maidir leis seo, tá deis ag páistí i nDoire agus Inis Eoghain tús maith a dhéanamh ina gcuid oideachais, agus líofacht a fháil in dhá theanga taobh istigh de chúpla bliain.
Tá trí Ghaelscoil i nDoire a bhfuil naíscoil acu chomh maith: Bunscoil Cholmcille, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir , agus Gaelscoil na Daróige; tá Gaelscoil cois Feabhail i mBun an Phobail, tá Gaelscoil i mBun Cranncha, agus tá Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin i Leitir Ceanainn. Tá Gaelscoil i Léim an Mhadaidh agus i nDún Geimhin, agus Gaelscoileanna eile ar an Srath Bán, ar an Ómaigh, i Machaire Fíolta agus i Machaire Rátha. Agus tá naíscoil i gCarn Domhnach.
Tugann dhá theanga muinín do pháiste, osclaíonn siad a aigne, agus baineann seisean sult as an éacht. Is féidir tús a chur le teanga eile sa mheánscoil, ach go minic, tá sin rómhall. Is féidir beagán de theanga eile a theagasc do dhaltaí sa bhunscoil, tríd an mháthairtheanga.
Ach má fhoghlaimíonn páistí an dara theanga trí thumoideachas, éiríonn siad líofa go luath agus go nádúrtha. Téann siad ó theanga amháin go teanga eile gan smaoineamh. Cuireann siad suim i dteangacha eile. Tá dul chun cinn iontach déanta ag an Ghaeloideachas: tá sé ar fáil i ngach contae in Éirinn anois.
Tá thart fá 50 meánscoil agus 200 bunscoil lán-Ghaeilge ag feidhmiú taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Bá chóir do thuismitheoirí an cheantair dianmhachnamh a dhéanamh ar an chóras oideachas seo a bhfuil fás thar chuimse air ar fud na tíre.
Má tá suim agat sa Ghaeloideachas déan coinne le do Ghaelscoil áitiúil. Beidh an fhoireann breá sásta ceist ar bith a fhreagairt.
www.derryjournal.com
Club Óige Setanta joins Youth in Action Programme
Deireadh Fómhair 15, 2012
Irish language youth club Club Óige Setanta, based in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry, has won funding from the European Union to run a joint youth exchange with a youth group from Bilbao, Spain.
Eight young people and three leaders from the club will travel to Bilbao on October 27 and stay until November 3. The young people will be working together on the promotion of understanding between minority language youths; of links between minority language groups to help tackle difficulties experienced, and the promotion of the support provided by the European Union. Club Óige Setanta won the funding through the Youth in Action programme managed in the UK by the British Council and funded by the European Union.
The programme helps young people to become active citizens and better equipped for the world of work, and promotes solidarity, social cohesion and co-operation within Europe and neighbouring countries. Sinéad Warnock, group leader with Club Óige Setanta told the ‘Journal’: “I really think our young people will take a lot away from this trip, not only will they get to experience a new culture but they’ll have an inside view into how local Basque people view their own culture and language. This will in turn heighten their interest and understanding of how they themselves fit into Irish culture and we hope that they will gain a sense of pride as they begin to understand their importance as speakers of their native tongue and what advantages this in turn offers them.” Head of EU Programmes at the British Council, Simon William, added: “Youth in Action aims to prepare young people for life and work in our global society.” “Initiatives like this one help to build trust and understanding between people of different cultures. They also broaden our young peoples’ horizons and equip them with the skills and understanding they need to become global citizens.”
For more information on Club Óige Setanta, please contact Sinéad Warnock on: 71 264132 or 07849394001 or email: sinead@culturlann-doire.ie.
www.derryjournal.com
Saturday club – Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir
Deireadh Fómhair 15, 2012
Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir will open a free of charge Saturday Fun Club for nursery school children this weekend.
Naíscoil teacher, Mairéad Mc Daid, will offer Naíscoil children and their parents a chance to learn Irish songs and rhymes, listen to Irish language stories and have fun playing together in a fully equipped nursery school. The one hour long Irish language club, commences at 11am and will initially run for six weeks. Any parent interested in attending can contact Múinteoir Mairéad at Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Brandywell , Derry on 02871268020 to register.
www.derryjournal.com
Gaelscoil Neachtain to greet first pupils
Meán Fómhair 3, 2012
