Abc bilingualism in irish education 6.05.13

Bilingualism in Irish Education

Pádraig Ó [email protected]

6th May 2013

Outline of presentation

BiographyBackground to IrishCurrent situation in schoolsStructure of schoolsGovernment strategy

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Primary school teacher – Irish-medium, immersion

In-service coordinator Lecturer in L2 methodologies

for Irish St Patrick’s College

◦ 1,200 BEd 600 BA students◦ 130 Graduate diploma◦ Masters, PhD, EdD

St Patrick’s College, DCU

Background to Irish language

• Irish is an official language (minority)

• Students in all schools study Irish from entry to completion

According to 2011 Census:• 1.77m (41.4%) able to speak

Irish• Only 77,185 (1.8%) daily

speakers outside education • Schools in ‘Gaeltacht’ (Irish-

speaking) & Irish immersion (all-Irish) schools throughout the country

An Ghaeilge agus Muintir na hÉireann (2009)

1,015 – 40-minute interviews

93% in favour of Irish◦40.9% revive◦52.5% preserve◦6.6% discard

Irish people very sympathetic to Irish

on endangered language list intergenerational transmission is decreasing in

‘Gaeltacht’ areas current generation may not experience complete

acquisition Stage 5: Language is still very much alive and

used in community. Stage 4: Language is required in elementary

schools. Elements of Stage 2 apply - Irish language

television www.tg4.ie and radio stations www.rte.ie/rnag.ie

Fishman's eight stages of language loss

1922 – Twenty-six of the 32 counties of Ireland gained independence from United Kingdom

Irish was seen as critically important in forging a separate identity

revitalisation was the objective Irish was given a central role in education all elementary schools were to teach through the

medium of Irish as far as possible and particularly in Kindergarten – CLIL/immersion

1930 – 300 elementary ‘immersion’ schools 1972 – only 11 elementary ‘immersion’ schools Government policy changed to one of bilingualism,

CLIL deceased greatly in 1960’s

Historical background to Irish-medium education (immersion)

all students learn Irish as a subject throughout elementary and high school, typically 14 years

results are disappointing – ‘drip-feed’ approach 30-40 minutes per day

7.5% of elementary students in Irish-medium tremendous growth over last 40 years parent-led movement 174 elementary schools and 40 high

schools on island of Ireland approx. 41,000 students

Current situation

Source: www.gaelscoileanna.ie

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early total immersion approx. 85% of school day through Irish and this

remains constant to end of schooling very successful in achieving fluency in Irish at

no loss to English or Mathematic skills additive bilingualism – students enjoy benefits

of bilingualism grammatical inaccuracies in productive skills use of Irish outside of school setting is a major

challenge

Immersion education

Schooling Ages & Phases

Compulsory attendance 6 – 16 years

First Level / Primary School 4 – 12 years◦ National (State) Schools◦ Special Schools◦ Private Schools

Second Level / Post-Primary School 12 – 18 years◦ Voluntary Secondary Schools◦ Community and Comprehensive Schools◦ Vocational Schools ◦ Special Schools ◦ Further Education 17 + years

Primary SchoolA Brief Description of the Irish Education System Page 9www.education.ie

4/5 Junior Infants5/6 Senior Infants6/7 First Class7/8 Second Class8/9 Third Class9/10 Fourth Class10/11 Fifth Class11/12 Sixth Class

Second Level / Post-Primary School A Brief Description of the Irish Education System Page 13

12/13 years 3 year Junior Cycle13/14 Junior Certificate Examination14/15 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------15/16 Transition Year (optional) -------------------------------------------------------------------------16/17 2 year Senior Cycle17/18 Leaving Certificate Examination

Straitéis 20 Blain don GhaeilgeGovernment 20 year strategy for Irish

2011 2030 Strategy

Number of people speaking Irish everyday outside education system

77,185 250,000

Number of people speaking Irish every week outside education system

110,642 ????

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge: Government 20 year strategy for Irish

Partial immersion (CLIL) in infants– teach some subjects through the medium of Irish

Teach some subjects through the medium of Irish on teacher-education courses

We are implementing this in St Patrick’s College

Investment will be provided!! – in-service, online courses, education centres

Wide range of materials will be supplied

Curaclam na Bunscoile

(1999)Primary School Curriculumwww.curriculumonline.ie

Go raibh maith agaibhMuchas gracias

Thank [email protected]

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