A Little Learning

The Irish-language weekly Foinse reported at the weekend that the number of students taking Irish at A-level and GCSE has fallen again. Only 248 students took the language to A-Level, a fall of 11 per cent from 2007 and a fall of 24 per cent since 2006 when 329 students sat Irish A-Level. At GCSE level the number of students fell from 2,748 in 2007 to 2,416 this year.

Those figures are not good news for the health of the language within English-language schools where the students are, for the greater part, from a Catholic/nationalist background. It confirms what I suspect – the struggle to promote Irish in the North (even amongst nationalists who are sympathetic) will be every bit as hard in the next 20 years as it was in years gone by. There is little doubt that nationalists are more aware of the language than my generation were but that does not mean that that knowledge translates automatically into support. (We will have to leave the provision for Irish in state schools for another day.)

You could argue that the number of students attending Irish-language primary schools – the famous bunscoil – will more than make up for the fall in A-level students. I would be quite cautious of making that assumption. It seems to my eye that many parents are quite happy to send their child to a bunscoil but do not always send them on to an Irish-language secondary school (even if there is one available). Undoubtedly, the tremendous work of teachers in the bunscoil sector creates a pool of young Irish speakers but not all of them have the opportunity to hold on to their Irish into their teen or adult years.

And that brings me to this statement from SDLP Education Spokesman, Dominic Bradley, MLA. He says that “he has serious reservations about the proposals on Irish Medium Education contained in a leaked document from the Department of Education. Commenting on the proposals to establish more Irish medium units within English language schools and to establish Irish medium schools within federations, Mr Bradley said that these proposals presented a possible threat to the future of Irish medium education:

“I understand the need to take cognisance of declining demographic trends but my understanding is that Irish medium education is the fastest growing education sector in Northern Ireland. I have reservations about the development of Irish medium education within confederations with English medium schools or within units in English medium schools. The danger is that the Irish medium provision can become the weaker partner in such arrangements.

“It is a common experience where a minority language is pitched against a world language like English that the lesser-used language comes off worst. That is a danger in this situation. The Irish Medium Education sector is relatively new and has developed rapidly; my fear would be that its continued growth as a vibrant and distinctive sector could be diluted by these proposals. I would prefer to see the Irish medium education developing as a distinctive sector as it has in the South of Ireland rather than as an tie-on to some other sector.”

Finally, some news from that other sector that continues to fly the language flag without fail – the Irish-language night class. (God be good to the days when I had the time and the energy to teach Irish in the evenings.) This is the time of year when classes begin. I only have a few details of classes that are due to begin but I will post them anyway. Má tá rang i do cheantar féin, b’fhéidir go gcuirfeá nóta chun an tsuímh seo. Any additional information on classes would be most welcome.

In Belfast, classes will begin at the McCracken Cultural Society, 156 Antrim Road, today week. There will be beginners, grammar classes, conversation for past pupils from bunscoileanna, intermediate Irish and the nirvana for the fluent Irish speaker, the Ardrang. There are limited places and you are advised to book immediately. Further information is available from Niall Ó Maitiú at 028 9074 9688 or http://www.ccmr156.com/

In Lurgan, Co Armagh, enrollment for classes begins tonight between 7pm and 8pm at Áras Ailf Uí Mhuirí, North Street. Classes begin today week. Beginners to fluent speakers are catered for.

In Ballycastle, Co Antrim, Irish classes at Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced level will start Wednesday 17th September at 7pm in Ionad Teaghlaigh an Chaistil, 5 Kiln’s Road. Information: 028-20762977. Also in Ballycastle is “Opening Doors” a workshop for parents with little/no Irish which looks at methods of nurturing the language in their children. Information: Pobal an Chaistil on 028-20768883.

In Ballymena, Co Antrim, Irish classes for Beginners and Intermediate level will start on 22nd and 23rd September in All Saints Parish Hall. Contact Róise of Glór Dhál Riada on 07740 684 152. Finally, in Martinstown, Irish classes for Beginners and Intermediate level will start on 22nd and 23rd September. Contact Aodán on 07936 648 423.

Sin é go fóill beag.