Irish-medium Early Years Education in the north of Ireland

Eibhlín Mhic AoidhSt 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;

• 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.