Irish Languge Immersion: Mastering Irish Through Television
Ever wondered how to boost your Irish language skills through television? Look no further! We’ve got the perfect strategy to make your viewing experience not just entertaining but also a valuable learning opportunity.
To improve your Irish, simply choose a program on TG4, Molscéal or Culá4. Immersing yourself in Irish television is a fantastic way to boost your language skills, and they offer a rich selection of programs covering music, sports, culture, drama, and more. You will definitely find something that will suit your tastes.
While watching for pure entertainment is enjoyable, to truly improve your Irish, consider some focused efforts. Opt for intensive viewing by selecting a favorite program, accessing it on the TG4 player (www.tg4.ie), and enjoying the benefits of pausing and replaying segments. I find if I watch a show with English subtitles then I pick up very little of the Irish spoken as my brain is switched to English. Often the shows on TG4 show automatically with subtitles so I will place something blocking that part of the TV to ensure I focus on the spoken Irish.
While I have been doing Irish for a while now I still do not find it a relaxing experience to sit at watch a show in Irish. But learning a language means you have to be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. So I try to watch a show often but I usually keep them short. Or for something like a film I will break up my viewing time.
Not sure where to start to find a TV show you want to watch. Read on to find out the various options available.
TG4
TG4 stands as Ireland’s Irish language television channel, gracing the airwaves since late 1996. A free-to-air channel, TG4 reaches audiences across all viewing platforms, boasting a robust viewership throughout the entire island of Ireland. Additionally, TG4 extends its availability globally through the Player, iOS App for iPhone and iPad, and the Smart TV App. The channel’s diverse programs encompass music, documentaries, drama, current affairs, entertainment, and sports.
Molscéal
This is an excellent starting point if you want to watch short clips in Irish. MOLSCÉAL offers a centralized hub for short-form video content tailored for the Irish language-speaking community. Created by a team of visual storytellers, these community-based visual stories cover a range of topics, including entertainment, news, archive, and sports content. Whether through their app, website, or social media channels, like Instagram, MOLSCÉAL provides an accessible platform to enjoy engaging and diverse video content.
TG4 Foghlaim
TG4 Foghlaim stands as an innovative audiovisual resource website crafted to aid post-primary students in preparing for the Oral Irish Leaving Certificate Examination. However, this valuable resource extends beyond students, welcoming learners of all ages and levels, nationally and internationally, to freely enhance their oral Irish fluency. The user-friendly platform provides engaging audiovisual content and downloadable lesson plans, catering to both teachers and students. Carefully curated to represent the three major dialects, TG4 Foghlaim sources content from popular TG4 programs or creates exclusive material. Personally, I’m drawn to the Bunscoil (primary school) options, especially the cooking program ‘Cócaireacht le Diarmuid’ under the Bia & Folláine topic. With a broad spectrum of subjects, from exercise to music, there’s something for everyone, making it an invaluable tool for Irish language immersion, regardless of age.
Cula4
A historic moment unfolded on Friday, September 8th, 2023, with the launch of the first-ever dedicated Irish language children’s channel, Cúla4. Broadcasting 14 hours daily, from 6 am to 8 pm, this free-to-air channel offers a diverse range of entertainment, drama, children’s news, home-produced and acquired shows, and serves as a valuable source of educational Irish language content. Additionally, Cúla4 provides a streaming service through its website and the Culá4 app. As a fan of this station, I find the programs to be fantastic for learners of all ages, and my son particularly enjoys the shows.
Delving into the world of Irish television, particularly through TG4, offers a delightful array of programs spanning music, sports, culture, drama, and more. To truly enhance your language skills, consider the benefits of intensive viewing, selecting favorite programs through the TG4 player. While initially challenging, embracing discomfort is part of the language-learning journey. Various options, from TG4’s diverse content to short clips on MOLSCÉAL and educational resources on TG4 Foghlaim, provide avenues for language immersion. Additionally, the historic launch of Cúla4 brings dedicated Irish language programming for children, further enriching the linguistic landscape. Explore these options and find the perfect fit for your Irish language journey. If you have other favorite Irish language TV suggestions, feel free to share them!
