On this October’s live Q&A Ben and Siobhán from Bitesize Irish answered your questions on raising children with the Irish language. They discussed the challenges that parents can face when trying to introduce more Irish language into daily family life. Watch back to find helpful resources and strategies to help you to achieve your goals, whether big or small!
Here are links for resources that were mentioned during the livestream:
How to find the pronunciation of individual words
- Focloir.ie has a pronunciation function next to words in the three main dialects.
- Teanglann.ie has a pronunciation tab where you will also find three different pronunciations of most words.
- If you can’t find them there, try Forvo.com and Abair.ie
How to improve your grammar and find answers for your grammar questions
- Nua Léargais online grammar resource.
- Graiméar Gaeilge na mBráithre Críostaí: available in PDF form online for free.
- Check out the sample sentences on Focloir.ie and see if you could adapt one for your needs.
- Gaeilge Amháin Facebook group (only allows post written in Irish)
- Ask questions on the Irish Language Forum and on the Daltaí .com form.
- Gaschaint – a book and website containing everyday phrases for family life.
Learning resources for a six year old
- The Buntus Cainte Trilogy
- Cúla4, Irish children’s TV channel.
- Is Mise … A day in the life of Irish-speaking children. Your child can see other Irish-speaking children talking about everyday things.
- Leighleat.com – free online resources for children
- Very First Words in Irish, Na Chéad Fhocail Ghaeilge
How to promote Irish in the home when English is ever-present
- Teanga Tí – supports and resources for parents who speak Irish or want to speak Irish to their children. The website is available both in Irish and English.
- It is recommended that at least one parent should only speak Irish to their child for best results.
- Give your child a deeper reason for speaking Irish – explain to your child your philosophy/ideology/worldview behind speaking Irish and discuss it. Explain why Irish is so important for you and why it should be for them too.
- Other family supports are Tuismitheoirí.ie. They provide a free bundle for parents of children under the age of 5 living anywhere on the island of Ireland.
- Gaelscoil Online – helps parents improve their Irish
Siobhán’s top three resources
- Gugalaí Gug (Irish nursery rhymes)
- Leabhar Tadhaill (touch & feel books)
- Glór na nGael’s YouTube playlist ‘Scéalta Do Pháistí’
Ben’s top three resources
- Scéilín Ó Bhéilín – folklore stories from Corca Dhuibhne
- ‘Sicín Mise go Sona Sásta’ – Bernie Pháid agus Páidí Mhárthain
- Usborne Book of Everyday Words in Irish