The real key to the Bitesize Cúrsaí is being able to listen to the pronunciations, and I love that. I no longer have to feel shy about trying to pronounce Irish as I continue to get “the system” of Irish spelling down. What I try to do now is this: before listening to a word, I try to pronounce it myself first looking at the Irish spelling and glancing at the phonic rendering for some clues, then I listen to the word and if I was off a little I repeat it the correct way.
STEVEN LINDSLEY
Utah, USA
The most successful Irish language learners make the language part of their every day life, their daily practices. It becomes part of their identity. Even attending a weekly Irish language class is not enough. Failed learners think that they must take huge steps each time. They start to procrastinate. And finally they bury their heart’s calling. It’s not your fault. The Irish language can feel overwhelming. Many, or most, give up. You can feel that your too old, or don’t have enough time, or that you’re not a “languages person”. At worst, the Irish language becomes a source of stress and self-judgement in your life!
At Bitesize Irish, we help you overcome the feeling that you’re not doing “enough”. You are already good enough. Tiny bites of Irish allow you to connect through the language every day. Each Bitesize step is worth your effort, since the journey in itself is worth it. It’s a life-long journey of nourishment. By practising Irish every day, you’ll move from being a learner to being a practitioner of the language. Start by practising a bite each day, and keep up that habit. With Bitesize Irish, you’ll have the opportunity to practice on your own (through online courses), and take guided action every day (through our community). Practice can be a mix of saying, conversing, reading, writing, and reflection.
The quickest bite you can take with Bitesize is to play an audio recording of a native speaker and repeat it out loud (known as the shadowing technique). Our online courses also feature videos on specific topics, which you may prefer at the time. After taking this Bitesize step, you can keep going if you feel like it (you will!). Complete a lesson in your own time, at your own pace, and make progress step by step.
One bite at a time
Learning Irish can be daunting, but not with Bitesize Irish. We offer you online courses that you can take in your own time, a community to help each other, and live conversations to get you speaking it.
* find the best plan for you
I AM
Use the GROW plan if you can’t get enough Irish in your life! You’ll get weekly Bitesize Beo group video conversations with a fluent speaker. Make connections with others on Bitesize Pobal, our private community forum. Daily dúshláin (challenges) will encourage you to practice Gaeilge Gach Lá. Get personal responses from fluent staff. Bitesize Cúrsaí will allow you to renew and expand your knowledge of the Irish language at your own pace.
Start with the EXPLORE plan to get the very basics of the language. We don’t assume any prior knowledge.
The Bitesize Cúrsaí will be available to you. These online courses cover conversation (essential phrases, and fast-and-slow scripts), everyday Irish, and even singing traditional songs. Videos in the lessons describe fundamental aspects of the language.
Take a tiny bite a day. That can be as little as listening to a single phrase in one of the courses and repeating it aloud (that’s the shadowing technique). Take it at your own pace.
After continuing your Bitesize daily practice alone for a couple of months, you’ll probably want to connect with others who are on the same journey as you. That’s a perfect time to upgrade to the GROW plan.
Do you actively study the Irish language, but looking to now connect with others?
The GROW plan will move you from being a learner to being a speaker, by prompting you daily in Bitesize Pobal, our private daily-practice community. Get personal feedback on your efforts. Bitesize Beo weekly group calls will give you regular conversation practice.
Did you try to learn Irish in the past, and gave up? Or did you attend school in Ireland, and now regret that you didn’t learn so much as you hoped?
You’ll probably most benefit from the GROW plan, so that not only do you take online courses at your own pace, but also find your motivation again in Bitesize Pobal, our private daily-practice community. Get personal feedback on your efforts from fluent staff. Bitesize Beo will give you the change to practice weekly, facilitated by a fluent Irish speaker.
Do you play traditional Irish music? Or do you practice Irish dancing? You might be deep in Irish history.
What a fantastic background to come from, because you have a rich cultural background.
We suggest that you start with EXPLORE, to pick up the essential parts of the Irish language, at your own pace. You can always upgrade later to GROW plan, to connect with others and get ongoing feedback.
* find out more about our membership plans
Take daily bites of Bitesize Cúrsaí online courses at your own pace. Start from the very beginning, and continue on to everyday Irish. Thousands of audio recordings with phonetic spelling, so you can practice pronunciation. Video lessons explaining the finer points of the language.
Are you already an active learner on your own? Or do you attend classes when it’s available? As well as access to Bitesize Cúrsaí, be an active member of Bitesize Pobal, our private daily-practice community. Guided prompts to encourage you. Connect with others, help them, get help, share resources. Get feedback on your progress from our fluent staff members. Bitesize Beo weekly group video calls led by a fluent Irish speaker give you the chance to practice with others in a scripted format. By being a connected practitioner for long enough, you become a Speaker of Irish.
