1. Ceisteanna Cén fáth a labhraíonn tú Gaeilge? Cén fáth a bhfuil tú ag teagasc nó ag obair i nGaelscoil? Cén ról atá ag Gaelscoil i sochaí na hÉireann?

2. Ceisteanna eile An ról atá ag Gaelscoileanna, seachas oideachas a chur ar fáil? An bhfuil ról ag Gaelscoileanna in athbheochan na Gaeilge mar theanga an phobail?

3. Ceisteanna An bhfuil an ról atá ag na Gaelscoileanna maidir le forbairt phobal labhartha na Gaeilge ag dul a bhaint as faoin ról ins an seomra ranga in oideachas na bpáistí? nó An gcuirfeadh sé leis an oideachas?

4. Opening Doors to our Language A positive programme to aid single language parents in nurturing bilingual children

5. Spriocanna an Chláir Ag tacú le tuismitheoirí nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu ról gníomhach a bheith acu i dturas a gcuid páistí i dtreo an dátheangachais. Ag foscailt doirse do thuismitheoirí le go dtig leo dul i ngleic leis an teanga agus leis an chultúr ar dhóigh gan eagla nó brú a bheith orthu faoi. Ag cur tús le seachadadh na Gaeilge ó ghlúin go glúin fríd a bheith ag cur pointe eolais ar fáil le go tig leis an pháiste tagairt siar chuige agus iad ag tógáil a gclainne féin.

6. Ag cothú léitheoireachta ins an bhaile Ag spreagadh comhrá ins an bhaile Ag tabhairt comhthéacs níos leithne d’fhoghlaim (sealbhú) na Gaeilge Ag ceangail stádas ard leis an Ghaeilge agus leis an ilteangachas Ag cothú an nasc idir tuismitheoirí agus páistí

7. The three legs of the bilingual stool. 1.The ability to speak a language is important i.e. Líofacht / Fluency. 2.Luach / Valuing the language. Providing a good example to our children ‘Showing’. 3.Provide children with eolas / knowledge on why you think Gaelic is important. ‘Telling and discussing.’

8. Teangacha i gComhthéacs Domhanda Teangacha i gComhthéacs Domhanda An Ghaeilge idirnáisiúnta An Ghaeilge idirnáisiúnta An Ghaeilge in Éireann An Ghaeilge in Éireann Foghlaim agus an dátheangachas Foghlaim agus an dátheangachas “respect for other cultures and can develop their creative thinking and self- confidence.” Global Context

9. The first leg of the stool: Gaelic-Medium Education As a non-Gaelic speaker, sending your child to Gaelic-Medium education is the surest way of giving them fluency in the language. Gaelic-Medium Education will help to provide your children with a fluency and a positive attitude towards Gaelic, English and other languages. If you speak Gaelic or indeed a foreign language at home, the Gaelic-Medium Education will also help with a positive attitude towards this language also. This happens because the child will be in an environment that is language centred and values diversity..

10. Gaelic-Medium Education - the foundation…. but not the whole story Fluency in a language does not happen in isolation – it happens as part of a community. It is not enough that your child becomes fluent – if his or her language is to be encouraged and maintained it needs to be nurtured! Use it or lose it!

11. Legs 2 and 3: A Positive Approach; Formulating and sharing your values towards the language/ culture Children who are raised in an environment that values a language are more likely to value it and use it as part of their lives” Jim Cummins, International bilingual expert. “pressures which can be positive and negative ”

12. Nurturing a positive outlook in your child towards Gaelic. From the earliest days children learn through example. Their habits and characteristics are formed and shaped by those around them, from their parents, brothers and sisters. A parent will have a very strong impact on the use of Gaelic – be that positive or negative. The choice is yours!

13. What can I do to be positive? Language use at home The best way to show your child you are interested in Gaelic is by using the language with them. Some parents learn the language and over time begin to use the language fluently. Others may not achieve this level but can still have a very positive impact by using directed language. Directed language is when you use a certain number of everyday phrases all the time. For example, replacing words such as “good morning” with “maidin mhaith”. It’s easy to do … but remember to do it !

14. ‘Show, don’t tell’ By always using directed language in key phrases you show to your child that “We value this language even though we don’t speak it fluently.” A directed language programme can bring you to a level where you speak as many words as you like.

15. Tell also but in a positive way. Tell your child about: Why you sent them to a Gaelscoil. Why you sent them to a Gaelscoil. Why you think Gaelic is important. Why you think Gaelic is important. How you are positive about Gaelic, English and other languages. How you are positive about Gaelic, English and other languages. Why diversity is important. Why diversity is important. The power of reading

16. The power of reading to your child Reading to your child is a powerful thing! It helps children develop concentration skills. It strengthens your relationship together. It nurtures a love of literacy. It allows you to explore interesting subjects, imaginative places and practical topics. Reading and discussing things with your child in a non-pressured way is PURE GOLD!

17. Reading in English as a way to talk about Gaelic and bilingualism. Our heritage is bursting with role models, heroes, love stories, battles, extraordinary tales of men and women who spoke Gaelic. There are many books in the English language that can ignite the imagination of a child and inform them of heritage, history and languages from all over the world and also about Gaelic, their own language. If the language is not in the story…bring it in!...What language do think Cú Chulainn spoke? Scéalta a cheangail leis an bheochultúr

18. Be consistent in your message, but change how you say it. Children come under different influences at different ages, it is important therefore to relate to them at that time in their lives. What motivates a 6 year old won’t work later on. Language is no different than anything else!

19. Mind Games; be ready and be positive! Children and young people are very sophisticated. They know when Mum and Dad really don’t speak the language. They can be hurtful. Stick with it and enjoy the Games! They may say Don’t say that Mummy that is my language. You are not saying that right. I hate it when you use Gaelic! Gaelic is for school, I hate it!

20. Format of the programme Words and phrases in Gaelic (Book & CD/DVD) 10 week programme. The simple and easy discussion and phrase “class” 1 ½ hours, once per week. Discussion forum A leaflet on Talking to my child about Gaelic … ideas and suggestions. Hints and tips to enrich understanding in relation to placenames, surnames, local heritage etc. A list of suggested books,stories and materials A list of suggested books,stories and materials

22. Torthaí go dtí seo: Tuismitheoirí ag aithint tábhachtach a ról maidir leis an Ghaeilge/ G.scoil. Fás in úsáid na Gaeilge ins an Teaghlach / Níos mó tuistí ag dul chuig ranganna. Tuismitheoirí in ann friotal a chur ar gcuid mothúcháin i leith na Gaeilge Nasc níos fearr leis an scoil. Baint níos láidre ag tuistí leis an scoilphobal Fás i suim a pháiste i leith na scoile