I’m not a frequent blogger, but it’s time for a wee geek at my new Lifelong Learning Irish classes starting at Stranmillis in Autumn 2019.
I’d like to thank those who attended my courses over the past 12 months and I’m delighted, as always, that they included people of all ages and all backgrounds. That’s important to me, as Irish belongs to everyone.
There are significant changes to the course structure for those taking their first steps in the language and I’m introducing some new classes for the year ahead. This in in line with Stranmillis policy to offer a development pathway for language learners.
Beginners’ Irish will now have three levels. Level One is for those who have little or no knowledge of the language, and Level Two (which replaces the old Irish for Improvers course) will build on this foundation.
Beginners’ Irish Level Three is a new course which will take students a step further on the road to becoming competent Irish speakers. This will hopefully prepare them for the ever-popular Conversational Irish course (Lower Intermediate Irish Conversation) which will run throughout the year.
While Level One is for newcomers to the language, Levels Two and Three will provide an opportunity for those who have some prior knowledge of Irish to enhance their skills. In other words, if you did Irish at school years ago or you already have a cúpla focal this is your chance to get back in the ‘Gaelic groove’!
Learning a language can be a daunting prospect, particularly for those who haven’t been in a classroom since they left school, but everyone can pick up a ‘cúpla focal’ of our beautiful language with a little effort.
I hope that I help make it as painless as possible…even if that does mean some dreadful one-liners and dodgy songs on my ukulele!
A brand new course will look at the rich linguistic heritage of our island. A Brief History of the Irish Language is an eight-week class which tells the story of Irish: from its Indo-European roots and Celtic origins to the 19th Century revival and present-day fortunes.
(I’m especially looking forward to the class on our shared musical tradition! Tuning up the ukulele even as I write…)
Details on how to enrol for any of my Stranmillis Lifelong Learning courses are on the Classes page on this site, which includes detailed descriptions of the classes. You can enrol by telephone, post or via E-Stran, which allows for online enrolment and payment.
Anyhow, I look forward to seeing you in the months to come. As we say in Irish ‘Beir Bua’ (Good Luck).
Irish With Ian 