Rediscovering Irish: My Favourite Learning Resources
Discover three invaluable resources for learning Irish: Gaelscoil Online’s comprehensive courses, Buntús Cainte’s conversational approach, and Gaschaint’s Irish-English phrase book. With these, you’ll confidently embrace the Irish language.
There’s a wealth of online resources available for learning Irish, and it’s important to pick the one that aligns with your needs and budget. In my view, Gaelscoil Online stands out as the top choice for parents diving into Irish. If you’re looking for a free course suitable for any learner, Buntús Cainte is an excellent option. And when it comes to handy phrases, Gaschaint is my trusted go-to book.
To get a deeper dive into how I make the most of these resources, keep reading.
1. Gaelscoil Online: An Online Course Designed For Parents
So, here’s how I made the leap from simply reading and understanding Irish to confidently speaking it every day. Enter gaelscoilonline.com, the brainchild of Jenny, an Irish and English teacher hailing from Co. Wicklow.
Jenny shares her motivation for starting this online course: “When I saw that fellow parents in my community wanted to learn to speak Irish to pass onto their kids, Gaelscoil Online was founded.” And oh, am I grateful she did!
My journey began with her ‘Gaeilge sa Bhaile Complete Guide to Speaking Irish at Home.’ This course was a game-changer. It broke down the day into various stages, providing phrases for each. From a mere wish to confidently using Irish with my son beyond just a few words, I started speaking at every part of the day with confidence.
The next logical step was joining her weekly membership, which I jumped into without hesitation. Each week, we received a new phrase to use with our children, but here’s the thing—it’s not just for parents. These phrases are versatile and useful in various situations. For instance, this week’s phrases are geared towards after-school chats, but they can also come in handy for post-work conversations. Keep an eye on her social media for when the membership or new courses open up.
Now, if you’re curious to dip your toes in, Jenny offers a free Quickstart Gaeilge Guide for Parents. I’ve given this mini course a whirl, and it’s just as fantastic as the rest. It’s a great introduction to her teaching methods that’ll have you speaking Irish in no time.
For more information visit gaelscoilonline.com.
2. Buntús Cainte: Instructional Programmes Aimed At Beginners
Next up on my language-learning journey is Buntús Cainte. Buntús Cainte isn’t a new kid on the block; it was originally a book series and an Irish-language TV program created by the brilliant minds of Tomás Ó Domhnalláin and illustrated by William Bolger back in the swinging 1960s. The brainchild behind it all was the Franciscan priest Colmán Ó hUallacháin.
This course is fantastic for getting the hang of conversational Irish. I actually dabbled in it a year or two before embarking on my Gaelscoileonline.com journey. While it gifted me with a solid vocabulary foundation, I didn’t start using it daily until I adopted the Gaelscoilonline.com method of learning a phrase a week. So, if you’re all about Buntús Cainte, here’s a pro tip: Choose one thing you’ve learned on the course that week, jot it down on a post-it or card, and make sure to say it out loud throughout the week.
Previoulsy it was available for free on the Memrise app but sadly they removed it. We will update if it becomes available on another online flashcard app.
3. Gaschaint by Úna Lawlor: Phrase Book For Parents
My final recommended resource for now is Gaschaint, your go-to Irish-English phrase book designed specifically for parents and guardians. This book is your all-in-one guide to Irish phrases throughout the day, covering all three dialects and even accompanied by handy CDs. While I genuinely love this book, I must admit that initially, it felt a bit like tackling a mountain of Irish phrases all at once, which left me slightly overwhelmed. I wasn’t quite sure where to start, and there were moments when I thought, “Can I really learn all of this?” So, I set it aside for a few years.
However, since I embarked on my journey with Gaelscoilonline.com and adopted the mindset of learning just one phrase a week, Gaschaint has transformed into a far less intimidating companion. These days, you’ll find me popping the CD into my car radio and tuning in during my daily commute. It’s an excellent way to pick up phrases that I know I can put to use. The good news? Gaschaint now has a website where you can listen to all the phrases in the book.
While I believe that relying solely on this book might not have brought me to the Irish proficiency level I’ve achieved today, I do consider it a valuable resource, especially for those eager to kickstart their daily Irish-speaking journey. So, if you’re looking to speak Irish every day, don’t hesitate to give Gaschaint a go.
In conclusion, learning Irish can be a rewarding journey, and I’ve shared my top three favorite resources to help you along the way. Gaelscoil Online offers comprehensive courses perfect for parents eager to speak Irish confidently. If you’re on a budget, Buntús Cainte on the Memrise app is a fantastic free option, providing a solid foundation for conversational Irish. Lastly, Gaschaint’s Irish-English phrase book, while initially daunting, becomes a valuable companion when you adopt the one-phrase-a-week approach. So, whether you’re starting fresh or rekindling your Irish language skills, these resources will empower you on your language-learning adventure.
