Irish in our All- Irish Primary School
significantIrish is the medium of instruction in our school. Immersion education is the method used up to Hallowe’en in Senior Infants. Every subject, apart from English, will be taught through the medium of Irish. We ask parents to use whatever Irish they may have, especially in the school environment. Don’t worry, if you are not fluent or have only a few words or phrases, the teachers will give you their full support and help. You will be surprised how quickly your child learns the language and in no time at all, they will become your teachers! We encourage parents to actively promote the language at home. Ask your child to say/ sing their songs or to act out their stories. Each family should invest in a good English/ Irish and Irish/ English dictionary. Please find a list of websites and shops, which stock Irish books and resources, at the back of this booklet.
No pressure is applied on any child to speak Irish. He/ She will acquire this second language in the way in which he/she acquired the first, by understanding, listening, isolating structures, and eventually producing words, phrases and sentences.
There are significant advantages to be gained from exposure to a second language at this level. The activities and the language connected with them are based on real toys and equipment. Words are self-explanatory or can be linked to actions and recurring events. The new language is associated with a person, a place and certain activities. The múinteoirí will develop the speaking ability of the children, to extend their vocabulary by introducing them to stories and poems, through drama and by involving them in conversation.
No pressure is applied on any child to speak Irish. He/ She will acquire this second language in the way in which he/she acquired the first, by understanding, listening, isolating structures, and eventually producing words, phrases and sentences.
There are significant advantages to be gained from exposure to a second language at this level. The activities and the language connected with them are based on real toys and equipment. Words are self-explanatory or can be linked to actions and recurring events. The new language is associated with a person, a place and certain activities. The múinteoirí will develop the speaking ability of the children, to extend their vocabulary by introducing them to stories and poems, through drama and by involving them in conversation.
Role of Parents
It is of vital importance to a child learning a language that his/her parents are favourably disposed towards that language and want him/ her to learn Irish. A child’s first language does not deteriorate by exposure to a second language. Mastery in two languages is acquired with ease in many parts of the world. Children switch freely from one language to another according to subject, situation or speaker.
Experience both here in Ireland and globally suggests that children speaking both languages do so without getting confused. They have no problems separating one language from other. The first simple phrases will gradually be extended, extracts from songs and rhymes will be analysed and stored for further use. The child will eventually be able to adopt contextually what he or she has heard.
Experience both here in Ireland and globally suggests that children speaking both languages do so without getting confused. They have no problems separating one language from other. The first simple phrases will gradually be extended, extracts from songs and rhymes will be analysed and stored for further use. The child will eventually be able to adopt contextually what he or she has heard.