Children’s Irish Audiobooks For Language Learning
Unlock the world of Irish audiobooks! Whether you’re learning or teaching, we’ve got you covered. Dive into Irish tales with Glór na nGael, explore languages with LOTE4Kids, and enhance your skills with Séidean Sí. With pronunciation guides and bilingual options, Irish is at your fingertips.
A vast collection of Irish audiobooks are available for free online. They offer a wide range of resources, including audio-only and video books suitable for all ages and proficiency levels in the Irish language. Enjoy an enriching language learning experience with this diverse selection.
We’ve got lots to share, including resources and tips to assist your language learning journey. Keep reading and get ready to enrich your Irish language experience.
Benefits Of Using Audiobooks
One of my most cherished moments is sharing bedtime stories with my son. When I decided to introduce Irish into our reading routine, I eagerly acquired a substantial collection of age-appropriate Irish language books. There was just one hiccup – although I had a decent grasp of the language, my pronunciation left much to be desired. He was blissfully oblivious, but as he grew, I wanted to ensure he learned correctly. So, I embarked on a journey to discover the right way to pronounce those words. Initially, I’d search individual words on Focloir.ie or Teanglann.ie for pronunciation, which was quite helpful. Then, I stumbled upon audio recordings of entire books, courtesy of some fantastic Irish language groups I’ll mention below. These recordings allowed me to grasp sentences accurately. I also played them for my son, providing firsthand exposure to fluent speakers. Reading is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the language, and having audio and, often, video recordings is a remarkable way to enhance your Irish skills.
So where can you find audiobooks in Irish for kids? Below I have listed my top 5 resources which I use most often.
Glór na Gael
Glór na nGael (meaning “voice of the Gaels”) is an Irish-language organisation funded by Foras na Gaeilge which promotes Irish in three sectors: the family, community development, and business.
Glór na nGael offers a fantastic range of books that they read aloud on their YouTube channel like this one below. These readings are suitable for all learners, regardless of age.
For the full list of titles, you can view them you can click the link here to their youtube playlist.
For more information on Glór na nGael visit there website https://www.glornangael.ie/ or follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glor_nangael/
Foras na Gaeilge – An Gúm
In the mission to promote the Irish language across the island of Ireland, Foras na Gaeilge was established on the 2nd of December in 1999. An Gúm, operating under Foras na Gaeilge, offers a rich array of publications and resources that not only support Irish language education but also encourage the everyday use of Irish. It’s a wonderful initiative to keep the language alive and thriving.
An Gúm offers a fantastic range of audio recordings that are available on their Soundcloud account like this one below. These readings are suitable for all learners, regardless of age.
For the full list of titles you can view them you can click the link here to their Soundcloud playlist.
For more information on Glór na nGael visit there website https://www.glornangael.ie/ or follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glor_nangael/
Lote 4 Kids
LOTE4Kids allows kids to enjoy the magic of books in LOTE (Languages Other Than English), both in library branches and at home. Kids can also watch each LOTE title translated and narrated in English to help with reading and literacy development. Irish has just recently been added to the list of languages so I expect the catalog of books to grow over time. It is possible to watch the book in both Irish and English. There is also a bilingual option where it will read the page first in Irish and then again in English. This is a great help if you do not fully understand the Irish version.
A valid library card is needed. For information on how to get a library card in Ireland click here.
Séidean Sí
“Séideán Sí” is a wonderful resource created with primary school children in mind. It provides a range of interactive books catering to different age groups, starting from Senior Infants and going up to Sixth Class. You can kick off your learning journey with the Senior Infant books and advance from there. The best part is, you have the choice to listen to the entire sentence or click on individual words for precise pronunciation – a highly engaging way to learn. If you prefer a specific dialect, simply select ‘Roghnaigh do chanúint’ at the top of the page.
App links for google play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=CCEA
App links for Apple App Store
https://apps.apple.com/ie/developer/ccea/id636492197
Leighleat.com
Leighleat.com was established back in 2014 with a mission to offer digital tools and materials designed to assist primary school teachers in their efforts to teach Irish effectively. But it’s not just for teachers; it’s a valuable resource for kids and their parents too. They offer a large collection of engaging stories, delightful poems, and enjoyable lessons – they’re all designed to bring the beauty of the Irish language to life.
Discover the world of Irish audiobooks, a treasure trove of language learning. Whether you’re reading to your child or enhancing your own skills, these resources are here to help. Dive into Irish tales with Glór na nGael, promote Irish language with Foras na Gaeilge, explore diverse languages with LOTE4Kids, and enjoy interactive learning with Séidean Sí. With pronunciation guides and bilingual options, learning Irish is easier than ever. Happy listening!
