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View Full Version : Gaeilge revival strategies.


JPL
10-31-2007, 09:22 AM
If anyone is interested, let's try to put together a functional strategy for the practical revival of Gaeilge. So far I'm conjured up the following.

2 visits per year to a Gaeltacht. 1 visit is mandatory, 1 visit is voluntary. The reason for the voluntary visit is to not make Gaeilge so much of a "chore", but to be something that kids themselves want to get involved with out of their own free will.

Conversational Gaeilge classes on top of the current Gaeilge classes in schools. I believe that after 12 - 13 years of school without competent fluency in Gaeilge is an indication of poor teaching methods. If 3-4 conversational Irish classes were added per week - then kids would have an avenue on a weekly basis to speak as gaeilge. The class structure could be very loose, and just used for kids to chat to each other as gaeilge. English would not be permitted at all during the hour - this would aid the children to think and research for words or phrases.. The sole purpose for this class is for vocal improvement in a fun manner to once again not make Gaeilge feel like a chore to a child.

More government funding for Gaeilge. I believe that more funding into Gaeltacht regions and assistance with trips for schools to Gaeltachts is required.

I also propose that all of the above be introduced North and South of the Island.

Any other ideas are most welcome.

mac_talla
10-31-2007, 07:45 PM
I'll get back to you, on the weekend, JPL. :)

broche
10-31-2007, 07:57 PM
I believe they should try on base the model of teaching the same as modern languages such as french. In Irish too much emphasis is put on the short stories and poetry etc and not enough on learning and speaking the language itself

Diarmuid
10-31-2007, 07:59 PM
Conversational classes would be valuable at least. Not sure about mandated trips to a Gaeltacht, unless you mean through school?

JPL
11-01-2007, 02:56 PM
yes, through school :)

belfast rep
11-01-2007, 03:25 PM
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3441818403"]

excellent group

mac_talla
11-03-2007, 08:08 PM
JPL.....when you were in the gaeltacht, recently, did you encounter alot of young people speaking Irish?

JPL
11-04-2007, 12:09 AM
All 11 people in the house spoke Irish and they were all under 25 ish:)

Everyone in the gaeltacht spoke Irish.

mac_talla
11-04-2007, 12:29 PM
All 11 people in the house spoke Irish and they were all under 25 ish:)

Everyone in the gaeltacht spoke Irish.

I am very glad to hear this. Did you notice young people, in general (not just those in the house where you were staying) using it in the community? I wonder if they use it outside the gaeltacht as well.

I just cannot get away from the idea, that the best way to promote the language is simply...USE IT. Young people, such as yourself, are the key. If your friends do it, then you are more likely to, as well.

It cannot be seen as a chore. It cannot be forced.

JPL
11-04-2007, 12:59 PM
Well, everyone who lives in the Gaeltacht is fluent - old and young. You cannot live there without being fluent.. If you wish to move there, you are interviewed by the local committee and you are interviewed.

Then there are those who visit and stay for X amount of time to further their gaeilge learning or to just speak it. So pretty much everyone uses it on a daily basis.. The people who are visiting and who are not fluent will use English too but everyone at least attempts basic conversational Irish every day.