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Irish and You
Gaeilge or Irish is the national language of the Republic of Ireland and a recognised minority language in Northern Ireland, in addition to being an official language of the European Union. Although Irish is no longer the most widely spoken language in Ireland it is still spoken frequently in many parts of the country, particularly in the west, and understood by many more who do not speak it regularly.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Irish government the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic is offering a range of courses to suit all needs, whether you just want to pick up some conversational Irish or work towards an official qualification in the language, such as Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (the European Certificate in Irish).
The Courses
The Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic will be offering free non-credit classes in Modern Irish at three levels in 2011-2012, which are open to all members of the university. The courses are oriented primarily towards competence in listening, speaking and reading.
Basic Level (Beginner)/Bonnleibhéal (Tosaitheoirí)
This course is suitable for students who have no previous knowledge of Irish. The course will develop students' communication skills and enable them to function through the medium of Irish in realistic and everyday situations; students will develop their understanding of the spoken and written language through various communicative activities.
Tá an cúrsa seo feiliúnach do mhic léinn nach bhfuil aon réamhthaithí acu ar an nGaeilge. Trí mheán an chúrsa seo, déanfar forbairt ar scileanna cumarsáide an mhic léinn agus cuirfear ar a c(h)umas feidhmiú go bunúsach trí mheán na Gaeilge i suímh réadúla laethúla; forbrófar tuiscint an mhic léinn ar an teanga labhartha agus scríofa trí mheán gníomhaíochtaí cumarsáideacha.
Intermediate Level/Meánleibhéal
It is the objective of this course to reinforce and develop the language skills of students who already have some basic knowledge of Irish. Communicative activities and the use of authentic materials (i.e. television programmes, newspapers, etc.) will help students to gain insight into the everyday usage of the Irish language.
Tá sé mar chuspóir ag an gcúrsa seo forbairt agus buanú a dhéanamh ar scileanna teanga an mhic léinn a bhfuil eolas áirithe ar an nGaeilge aige nó aici. Déanfar é seo trí úsáid a bhaint as gníomhaíochtaí cumarsáideacha agus úsáidfear ábhar dílis (is é sin, cláir theilifíse, nuachtáin, srl) ionas go bhfaighidh an mac léinn léargas ar ghnáthúsáid laethúil na Gaeilge.
Advanced Level/Ardleibhéal
Tá an cúrsa seo oiriúnach do dhaoine a bhfuil Gaeilge réasúnta líofa acu. Cuirtear béim ar chruinneas sa teanga labhartha agus sa teanga scríofa araon. Sí an Ghaeilge an t-aon teanga amháin a labhartar sa rang seo.
Location and Times
Modern Irish Classes (and Conversation Evening) continue
in Lent Term 2012, starting on Thursday, 19 January. All classes are held in the English Faculty Building, Sidgwick Site, 9
West Road, CB3 9DP.
Click here for a map of the Sidgwick Site.
Beginner Level:
Beginner Level courses will be held in English Faculty on Tuesdays at 5pm in room G-R03 and Thursdays at 4pm
in room T-R26.
Intermediate Level:
Intermediate Level courses will be held in English Faculty on Mondays at 4pm in room G-R03 and Thursdays at 5pm in
room T-R26.
Advanced Level:
Advanced Level courses will be held in English Faculty on Wednesdays at 3pm in room G-R04.
Oíche Chomhrá:
Irish speakers of all levels are invited to attend a Conversation Evening (Oíche Chomhrá) at a local pub (the Free Press), on Thursdayevenings at 7.30pm. The Oíche Chomhrá will resume on Thursday, 26 January, and will continue through Lent Term. You do not have to enrol in a class in order to attend. It is a casual and friendly gathering, and open to everyone who wishes to practice their Irish.
For further information please contact the course instructor Dr Margo Griffin-Wilson tel: 01223 767295).