10 week course
Every thursday 7:30-9 pm GMT
Start Date: 29Th february 2024 

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Course Outline

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This course is aimed at anyone interested in improving their Irish, particularly people who perhaps studied at school but have forgotten much of what they learned, people who have been practicing on Duolingo or another app and now want to start actually speaking to others in a classroom, or anyone who has done a beginner course in Irish and wants to take their language skills to the next level. Learners will not just learn grammar and practice speaking, but will also consider how our learning is taking place in the context of the history of the language we are learning and current challenges it faces, in particular, how colonialism, capitalism and state policies of austerity and neglect have and continue to impact minority languages such as Irish. 

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Level

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As a Céim 2 (Step 2) course, learners are expected to have some familiarity with the Present Tense in Irish, as well as experience introducing themselves and talking about topics such as where you are from, where you live and what your hobbies are. However, if you are rusty, don’t worry, the course will revise and build on these topics, and also introduce the Past tenses, as well as vocabulary to describe your home, your family/friends, your everyday life, work, skills and to talk about food.

 

The course will be taught by Em Ó Ceallaigh (/Ball). Em is a language educator and theatre-maker.  Em is from Dublin and the first person to speak Irish in their family. Em's passion for the Irish language developed by attending and working in the Gaeltacht. Em now creates theatre as Gaeilge or bilingually and has facilitated storytelling workshops in Irish (and the other languages spoken), to encourage playfulness and new relationships with language. Em completed the CELTA teaching training for teaching English. Em is interested in exploring how shame around languages and learning impact playful and contemporary speaking of Irish. 

 

There will be a taster class on the 22nd of February 2024. Book here.

 

The first session will begin on 29th February 2024 and will run over 10 sessions every Thursday evening. Each class lasts from 7:30pm - 9pm (Irish time). There will be approximately 30 minutes of optional homework each week, completion of which will help you to advance in the language. 

 

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