Irish language in schools help

[mumtoallbhoys]

DH and I are both Canadian Irish. So no Irish language skills at all. I'm dyslexic so languages don't come easy to me....

Is there anyway I can get my 6 year old senior infants son exposure (he is in an English speaking school)? He really likes it but I have no clue where to start.

Tg4 have programs on their player for children. I do find them quite difficult however as many of the dialects are quite strong for my Munster based senior infant class.
Ansiopagaeilge website has some lovely books with CDs attached . Rhymes (rannta) are a great way to learn at this age and there are lots of ones with CDs on that website. Also will help you with pronunciation.
You can also put the TG Lurgan pop songs on YouTube on for him. Might not pick up much new vocab but lovely to listen to.

Would you like to share your suburb or town? Someone may have a specific recommendation for you.

Thanks @switswoo81 I figure in the schools they focus on the verbal side because reading would be so tricky if you cant read in English properly? I only ask because you sound like a teacher. He come home with rhymes that he claims are in Irish ;)

@SageRosemary

we live in Terenure. It would be great if there were some camps or something, he is so in love with language.

@mumtoallbhoys I am I teach Junior and Senior Infants in an English medium school.
The infant curriculum is focused on speaking only. In second class we introduce Irish readers so at this stage he wouldn't be reading. As you say we get them reading in English first.
In my class we concentrate on short simple sentences, basic vocabulary ( colours, emotions, body parts etc)

Orchard toys have Irish board games now which is great. Liosta siopadoireachta (shopping list) is great fun.

This is a great padlet for rhymes: RHYMES www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=padlet.com/maire8/dkq9f7jlawlksvhs&ved=2ahUKEwjClLGpsPv3AhVhQ0EAHaVuD5EQFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0ywGy1gaMNrhp5JVCv0Jex

You could try contacting conradh na gaeilge or similar to see if there are any Irish language summer camps running for little people near you.

Ógrás run them too but looks like they’re for older kids- they might be able to give you some pointers though oifigogras.wixsite.com/english/

Sorry, I don't have any specific knowledge for Terence but someone may be along soon to help. Great advice above anyway.

You could check to see whether a branch of Comhaltas near you offers any Irish Language conversation classes. Or, maybe sign your son up to start tin whistle classes with them. Branches are run by local volunteers and vary widely but it may be worth contacting them to see what might be available from September. Most likely the music classes will be run in English but with a smattering of Irish to count in etc.

comhaltas.ie/education/#language_programmes
comhaltas.ie/locations/

Similarly, your local community school or regal school may offer conversational Irish classes for adults from September. Watch out for a leaflet coming through your door promoting this.

The local gaelscoil (Irish speaking primary school) may offer classes for non-Irish parents so it is worth asking if you could join evening class there too.

Call into your local library and enquire, they are a great source of information for what is happening in the community.

Hey, I have a Junior infant in a Gaeltacht school in Kerry and we use Gaeilge as a second language in the home. I wonder would a ‘pen pal’ style situation suit him maybe on zoom?

@Cloeycat i love this idea!! I think next year he might have more to bring to the table

Sorry all for the delay in responding, I can’t reply in the app for some reason

How did you get on @mumtoallbhoys ? Some great advice. Sorry I came to this late. Does your library have a comhrá / conversation group.
Most do and they're quite helpful usually.

one word: tg4.
also when he's older try sending him to a gaeltacht!

Seconded. Irish ' clicked' for my boys after a summer school in Cape Clear / Oileán Cléire.