FAQ

Questions

  1. What is a Gaelscoil?
  2. Why Gaelscoileanna ?
  3. Is it necessary for me to be an Irish speaker?
  4. How does my child learn Irish in Junior Infants ?
  5. How parents can help - Practical Affirmation

  1. What is a Gaelscoil?

    A Gaelscoil is a primary school functioning in accordance with the usual rules of the Department of Education. Irish is the living language of Irish-medium schools both within the classroom and without. Irish is the language of instruction in these schools and the language of communication amongst teachers, children and management.

    A high educational standard exists in all subjects, including English, and the usual programme set out by the Department of Education is followed.

    All aspects of Irish culture, games, music and dance are promoted

    All pupils are welcome in Irish-medium schools regardless of linguistic background.

    Parental involvement is highly valued in an Ghaelscoil.

  2. Why Gaelscoileanna ?

    Parents have many different reasons for sending their children to Irish-medium schools. The demand for Irish-medium education is growing annually.
    A gaelscoil is founded with the considered consent of the parents. Were it not for them and the specialist demand they nurtured gaelscoileanna would not have the standing they have attained today.

    Most of the parents in every gaelscoil have made a conscious decision to register their children in the gaelscoil. According to Gaelscoileanna English probably will have primacy in 95% of the households of the students who attend gaelscoileanna but that all the parents would be favourably disposed toward the promotion of the language. There are specific reasons for parents choosing gaelscoil education for their children:

    (a) They speak Irish at home and they are seeking support from the educational system - very few parents are in this bracket.

    (b) The parents are interested in Irish and believe that the irish language has a central role in preserving or developing cultural identity.
    They are interested in bilingual education and believe that gaelscoileanna provide saleable skills and that status and job opportunities are accordingly improved.
    (d) Increase in personal fulfilment.
    (e) They want to be associated with the school as parents and believe that they have a great opportunity in the gaelscoil to be active in the building of the school community

  3. Is it necessary for me to be an Irish speaker?

    No. 90% of parents do not have Irish when their children first attend Gaelscoileanna. Some Irish is, of course, an advantage but what is most important is your goodwill towards the language and a desire to promote its use. Irish classes will be provided for interested parents at the Gaelscoil.

  4. How does my child learn Irish in Junior Infants ?

    A language is a living thing and an Ghaelscoil strives to bring about conditions in which it can grow. Therefore it is through Irish that , art, physical activity, mathematics and literature, religion are brought into the lives of the children.

    The child hears Irish and is facilitated to understand by a teacher who skillfully uses as stimulus the school environment. Very soon he sees himself embarking on an adventure in which he feels he must play an active part so he produces his first words in the new language. His vocabulary extends at a rapid rate and he makes sentences. This progress, though never ceasing to be a delight, is not to be over-marvelled at as it is merely the childs natural response to the invitation of an environment which he finds attractive and challenging. He now has a vested interest in learning Irish; for what child wants to be left out of the activity.

    A successful formula usually has a bonus and that bonus at an Ghaelscoil is that the first language, far from losing out, is enhanced, because of course the total language ability is being promoted.

    Sometimes adults tend to forget that a child’s mind is uncluttered and that his responses to his environment are more immediate and less inhibited than those of the adult. As his bilingual competence grows he switches with ease from one language to the other as his situation demands. As this is his/her first experience of school, he/she accepts Irish as the language of communication.

  5. How parents can help - Practical Affirmation

    Your child speaks Irish at school because he/she needs to do so. It is the medium through which he becomes a part of the act. It stands to reason that if he is to become fully competent in the medium, the environment where he perceives Irish as necessary and relevant must be gradually broadened for him. This is where you, the parents come in.

    Why not practise some simple phrases at mealtimes, at bedtime, while walking to the shops or going on car journeys. Both you and he will enjoy and learn from such activity and this affirmation of your childs school activity is an invaluable part of the total process. It is very important that parents make a consistent effort to speak Irish when on the school premises.

    Those of you whose knowledge of Irish is limited will be helped by Irish classes for parents, , the monthly newsletter and many other parent-school activities that provide a focus for practising the language.
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