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Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland

Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland. Eibhlín Mhic Aoidh St Mary’s University College Belfast E.mhicaoidh@smucb.ac.uk. During today’s presentation I hope to. outline the development of the Irish-medium sector in the north of Ireland;

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Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland

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  1. Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland Eibhlín Mhic Aoidh St Mary’s University College Belfast E.mhicaoidh@smucb.ac.uk

  2. During today’s presentation I hope to • outline the development of the Irish-medium sector in the north of Ireland; • explore successful strategies used by early years educators in promoting Irish language learning as part of the holistic development of young children; • highlight recent initiatives for the continuing professional development of immersion early years educators in the north of Ireland.

  3. From humble beginnings

  4. Irish-medium primary schools in the north

  5. Phases of Irish-medium Education

  6. Staff in Irish-medium Education

  7. Key Strategies Meaningful, contextually rich activities Focus on listening, understanding and speaking A thematic approach to early learning Positive teacher-pupil relarionship Modelled, shared and guided language activities

  8. A Challenge Do strategies in use in monolingual settings need to be adapted to the needs of young language learners in bilingual settings?

  9. Department of Education (2008) Review of Irish-medium Education The needs of Irish-medium Educators should be taken into account in delivering common leadership training and support services in a sectorally-sensitive way. http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/655/1/review_of_irish-medium_education_report__english_pdf_.pdf

  10. One case in point The role of the adult in early years Irish-medium settings

  11. Hickey (2003) Activities which encouraged optimum use of Irish language in early years settings • Games with rules • Singing together • Home corner activities • Stories • Nursery rhymes • Interest points • Guided group activities

  12. Emerging Issues • the need for research to inform practice; • the need for continuing professional development sensitive to the context of Irish-medium classrooms; • the need to support teachers’ continuing efforts to improve their own Irish language competences.

  13. An Irish-medium Model of Continuing Professional Development • Addresses both pedagogical and linguistic needs • Reflects immersion education learning and teaching methodologies • Encourages informed reflection and sharing of good practice • Action Research

  14. Research Themes Improving Writing in the target Language at Key Stage 2 Developing Phonological Awareness in the early years Improving Spelling Strategies with Key Stage 1 Pupils Independent Reading in Key Stage Two An Evaluation of the Lift Off Programme in a P.3 Class Composite Classes in an Irish-medium School Supporting Special Educational Needs at Key Stage 3: innovative strategies to improve sight vocabulary.

  15. Go raibhmaithagaibh TankeWol Thank you for listening Bedanktvooruwaandacht

  16. References Baker, C. (2006) Foundations of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education 4th Edition. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters. CCEA (2005) Preschool Curricular Guidance http://www.deni.gov.uk/preschool_curricular-2.pdf CCEA (2009) Northern Ireland Curriculum Primary (Irish-medium) http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/irish_medium/foundation/NIC_Primary_IrishMedium.pdf Department of Education (DE) (2008) Review of Irish-medium Education http://www.deni.gov.uk/review_of_irish-medium_education_report__english_pdf_.pdf

  17. References Hickey, T. (2003) ‘Cad a mheallannGaeilge ó PhaistísaLuath-Thumoideachas’ in TaighdeagusTeagascIml. 3. ColáisteOllscoileNaomhMuire: BéalFeirste. Knipe, D. Bunting, G. Ó Labhraí, J. NigUidhir, G. and Mhic Aoidh, E. (2004) The Professional Development of Teachers in Irish-medium Schools www.deni.gov.uk Lundy, L. (2006) Mainstreaming Children’s Rights in, to and through Education in a Society Emerging from Conflict in International Journal of Children’s Rights 14:339-362. Mac Corraidh (2006) Irish-medium Education in Belfast in De Brún, F.(ed.) Belfast and the Irish Language. Dublin: Four Courts Press. Maguire, G. (1991) Our Own Language: An Irish Initiative.Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

  18. References McKendry, E. (2005) Immersion Education. Belfast; Council for Irish-medium Education. Ó Baoill, D. (2007) Origins of Irish-medium Education: the dynamic core of language revitalization in Northern Ireland in The International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism Vol. 10, No. 4, 410-427. Ó Duibhir, P. (2006) Education and Continuing Professional Development for Teachers in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht Schools.www.cogg.ie Peover, S. (2002) The Current State of Irish-medium Education in Northern Ireland in Kirk, J. and Ó Baoill, D. (eds.) Language Planning and Education: linguistic issues in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Belfast; ClóOllscoilnaBanríona. Uí Dhoibhlin, S. (2011) Pedagogical Approaches Which Enhance Early Years Irish Language Development: a case study. Masters Dissertation: St Mary’s University College, Belfast.

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