Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland
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Transcript of Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland
Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland
Eibhlín Mhic AoidhSt Mary’s University College Belfast
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.
From humble beginnings
Irish-medium primary schools in the north
Phases of Irish-medium EducationPhase Number of Units Number of Pupils
Early Years Care (0-3 years) 1 93
Nursery Education (3-4 years) 44 1114
Primary: Foundation Stage (4-6 years)Primary : Key Stage 1 (6-8 years)Primary: Key Stage 2 (8-11 years)
34 2818
Secondary: Key Stage 3 (11-14 years)Secondary: Key Stage 4 (14-16 years)Secondary: Post-compulsory Education
4 732
Staff in Irish-medium Education
Qualified Teachers 178
Nursery Workers 125
Classroom Assistants 95
Key Strategies
Meaningful, contextually rich activitiesFocus on listening, understanding and speakingA thematic approach to early learningPositive teacher-pupil relarionshipModelled, shared and guided language activities
A Challenge
Do strategies in use in monolingual settings need to be adapted to the needs of
young language learners in bilingual settings?
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 asectorally-sensitive way.
http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/655/1/review_of_irish-medium_education_report__english_pdf_.pdf
One case in point
The role of the adult in early years Irish-medium settings
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
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.
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
Research Themes
Improving Writing in the target Language at Key Stage 2Developing Phonological Awareness in the early yearsImproving Spelling Strategies with Key Stage 1 PupilsIndependent Reading in Key Stage TwoAn Evaluation of the Lift Off Programme in a P.3 ClassComposite Classes in an Irish-medium SchoolSupporting Special Educational Needs at Key Stage 3: innovative strategies to improve sight vocabulary.
Go raibh maith agaibhTanke Wol
Thank you for listeningBedankt voor uw aandacht
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.pdfCCEA (2009) Northern Ireland Curriculum Primary (Irish-medium)http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/irish_medium/foundation/NIC_Primary_IrishMedium.pdfDepartment of Education (DE) (2008) Review of Irish-medium Education http://www.deni.gov.uk/review_of_irish-medium_education_report__english_pdf_.pdf
References
Hickey, T. (2003) ‘Cad a mheallann Gaeilge ó Phaistí sa Luath-Thumoideachas’ in Taighde agus Teagasc Iml. 3. Coláiste Ollscoile Naomh Muire: Béal Feirste.Knipe, D. Bunting, G. Ó Labhraí, J. Nig Uidhir, G. and Mhic Aoidh, E. (2004) The Professional Development of Teachers in Irish-medium Schools www.deni.gov.ukLundy, 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.
ReferencesMcKendry, 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.iePeover, 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; Cló Ollscoil na Banríona.Uí Dhoibhlin, S. (2011) Pedagogical Approaches Which Enhance Early Years Irish Language Development: a case study. Masters Dissertation: St Mary’s University College, Belfast.