I love Gaeilge and have a good standard of Irish but I find many children have a complete mental block when it comes to learning our language. This is a quick post about some strategies I use for interesting, enjoyable and fun Gaeilge lessons.
Questions
I have a small ball (which I bought in Tiger for 3 euro) and I throw this ball to different children and ask them a question.
- Dia duit (Dia is Muire duit)
- Conas atá tú? (Tá mé go maith.)
- Cad is ainm duit? ( _______ is ainm dom)
- Cén aois thú? (Táim ocht mbliana d’aois)
- Cá bhfuil tú i do chónaí? (Táim i mo chónaí i mBaile Átha Cliath)
The children love getting the ball and answering the question. The children then practice for a few minutes with their partner. I try to do this every day as ‘Beatha Teanga í a Labhairt!’
I also choose a child to be the teacher and they throw the ball and ask the question.
Comhrá
I think its vital that children practise a comhrá with their partner every day. Since September we have been working on; hello, name, age, news etc. This will be increased throughout the year.
Actions
Lámha suas, lámha síos
Taispeáin dom _________
Cuir do lámh ar ______________.
(Great for quick assessment at the end of lessons)
Drama
A short drama to practice vocab and phrases or a story works really well and children really enjoy it and use the language they have learned in a meaningful context.
Hi Hi,
Just a little note to say I love your page and all the bits you write about in your blog. I’m back in the classroom after a few years in Resource and I’ve a split 3rd/4th class and I’m finding it a little but difficult to be honest. I’m doubting myself over everything especially when I give instructions as Gaeilge and the chn are looking back blankly at me- I’m fearing I’m not wording lessons well and have looked through pages and pages on line- have you any tips for speaking fluently in irish during irish lessons- I hate throwing in english sentences but I feel they dont understand if I don’t. I’ve used so many of your ideas esp. the comhrá and the ball & questions- such great ideas.