Irish
Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam
The
Irish Department in St. Louis Grammar School is a highly successful Modern
Language Department. Irish is taught to all year groups in the school. Pupils
learn the language in Year 8 on entry to the school and continue their study of
Irish until the end of Year 10. Pupils then sit GCSE, 'AS' and 'A' Level
examinations in the subject.
The main aims of the Irish department
are:
- to develop the ability to use Irish for purposes of practical communication.
- to create an atmosphere in which pupils' experience of learning Irish will be enjoyable and successful.
- to contribute to the personal and social development of each pupil.
Pupils participate
in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and which enhance the formal
language learning in the classroom, and provide a wider context for their study
of Irish. Two highlights of the school year are the day trip to the Donegal
Gaeltacht for Year 11 pupils and the overnight trip to the Gaeltacht for Years
12-14. Pupils are both motivated and inspired by this contact with the living
language. Pupils compete annually for scholarship examinations organised by Gael
Linn and Féis na nGleann. They also participate in public speaking competitions
and table quizzes organised by Gael Linn.
Pupils are encouraged to attend
Summer and Easter courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht. All pupils are encouraged to
speak Irish both inside and outside the classroom and many pupils also benefit
from contact with the Irish Language Assistant, Máirtín Birt.
There are three
Irish Teachers in the department, Mrs F McAteer, Mrs R Wilson and Mrs C
McGrogan; staff in the department are highly motivated and dedicated to
instilling a love for the language and a high degree of competency in all
pupils.
