Does anyone know of this Irish speaking summer school? I was told it about last weekend by a teenager accordion player who I know. He said he went to it for a few years and is now fluent. I couldn't believe it as it didn't seem like one of his charecterists (he's not from a posh part of Dublin and doesn't go to an Irish school so it was surprising). He said he went to Colaiste na bhFiann so I said that I'll have a look on the website. I did and it looks quite good. Apparently there is NO ENGLISH SPOKEN! Its a strict rule and a tough one for me, with not a good standard of Irish. But I would like to know if its worth considering if I wanted to learn the language. If I made an effort would I be encouraged? I mean, I don't want to go out and make a fool of myself if I don't understand something. Would I learn a good deal of the language from one course and how many visits, in your opinion, would it take to get good at the language.
I don’t know Irish either, but I did learn sign language by working at a deaf school, and immersion is definitely the way to do it. It forces you to do what is not comfortable for you. One important thing is not to pretend to understand something when you really don’t. A lot of people do that and it really retards the learning process. Don’t be afraid to sound stupid, because you will. Everyone does. Read and listen and study as much as you can. Ask people to repeat themselves or speak more slowly. You’ll be encouraged more this way than if you hang back and let others carry the conversations.
Thanks kennedy. I'll take that into account. A man I know, who is Irish-speaking (not the same guy in post 1, this chap is much older) said "Speak the language, even if you're bad at it. Speak it. You learn from your mistakes and no-one will punish you for trying".
The Irish colleges have a mixed reputation - I believe Colaiste na bhFiann is particularly strict , and in my day (about 25 years ago) it was known as a breeding ground for Republicanism.
Whichever colaiste you go to, you're bound to learn more Irish - most of them, have the "No English" rule to some degree (No full sentence in English, in most cases) and you will definitely have a good time.
Ok, thanks RockyRoader. I've heard that I'd learn more Irish at Colaiste na bhFiann than the usual summer Gaeltacht so that's why I'm quite excited really.
I attended Coláiste na bhFiann both as a student and teacher. It involves total immersion and they are very stricy about the 'one sentence in English and you're out' rule. However, there are different levels, so you can attend a level that suits you. I remember that I started dreaming and thinking in Irish after a few days and that makes it so much easier as you're not likely to slip into English. I also remember some students who weren't very confident speakers being totally fluent by the end of the course. It's hard work at the start, but very soon you just speak Irish naturally and by the end of the course, it feels strange switching back to English again.
Thanks fidleir. That's certainly making me feel more like going. I would never expect it to be an easy course. I have no problem making an effort and speaking to the best of my ability. I suppose its all in practice but I personally believe that this is the place to go.
There you are. They run during the summer for 3 weeks. There is a few branches. I've been reccomended the one in Connemara but I wouldn't say there is much difference.
I spent many a summer at Colaiste na bhFiann, both as a student and later, I worked there as a group leader and a senior group leader.
If you really want to learn Irish, it's the way to go. The rules are enforced. After my first three weeks there, I couldn't talk English for about a week, although I understood everything. I've also made many friends there, with whom I'm still in contact, years later.
You might also be interested in checking out the local Cumann na bhFiann club in your area, if you'd like to start brushing up on your Irish now ...
Thanks Helen. It sounds like its very much so worth doing. I really do want to learn the Irish language. I hope to speak it some day soon but need proper resources. It sounds like this place is certainly the way to go about it. I'll check and see if I can find out anything about Cumann na bhFiann too, in the meantime.
As good as Coláiste na bhFiann is I'd recommend Coláiste Chamuis which is in Conamara. I spent 4 summers there and had the time of my life. Camus has the Irish rule of once sentence and you're out also. I've heard that Coláiste na bhFiann aren't as strict anymore. A teacher who thought at both colleges told me that the main difference beteen the two colleges is that there is a more sense of freedom in Camus!
Coláiste na bhFiann is the sh*t! If you want to learn the language don't pussy foot about and be a life long 'oh I wish I had listened more when at school etc'. I get that attitude every day when I tell people what I do. Like music, those who did not lern from a very young age have had to put in the serious hours over years to reach fluency, anyone who wishes to reach a degree of ability with the language must do the same. There is no short cut.
I have been teaching the language at all levels to all ages for ten years. I have seen peole put in the effort and enjoy the rewards, I have also seen the same faces come back to the same class every year and get nowhere.
Jump in at the deep end, take a trip to Coláiste na bhFiann or one of the many great Coláistí Gaeltachta, you will very quickly learn how to swim.
These Coláistí, although the sound strict really do work, there is no better way to learn the language. Just don't think you should be fluent over night, effort still required.
I'm interested in going there myself but I sat ordinary level Irish for the Junior Cert. and got a B. Doyou think I have a chance of getting in never mind learning the language? I'm motivated and realley want to learn Irish.
I worked there for 6 years after coming up through the ranks from the age of 11. Did me a lot of good but also did a lot of damage. You could say I was brainwashed a bit. Seems to be more modern these days and less anti-English. By the way, I worked full time with Hector O hEochagain (Real name Shane - for those who didnt know). He's as mad in real life as he is on TG4
To introduce a musical note to all this, Seán (or Hector) mentioned above, spent some time in Bilbao where his girl friend (later to become his wife), Dympna Griffin was teaching.
Dympna, who is a fine flute player, is the sister of Clair Griffin, an excellent accordeon player, who is the wife of the well known concertina player, Timmy Collins.
Colaiste na bhFiann
Colaiste na bhFiann
Does anyone know of this Irish speaking summer school? I was told it about last weekend by a teenager accordion player who I know. He said he went to it for a few years and is now fluent. I couldn't believe it as it didn't seem like one of his charecterists (he's not from a posh part of Dublin and doesn't go to an Irish school so it was surprising). He said he went to Colaiste na bhFiann so I said that I'll have a look on the website. I did and it looks quite good. Apparently there is NO ENGLISH SPOKEN! Its a strict rule and a tough one for me, with not a good standard of Irish. But I would like to know if its worth considering if I wanted to learn the language. If I made an effort would I be encouraged? I mean, I don't want to go out and make a fool of myself if I don't understand something. Would I learn a good deal of the language from one course and how many visits, in your opinion, would it take to get good at the language.
Thanks
Paddy
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
I don’t know Irish either, but I did learn sign language by working at a deaf school, and immersion is definitely the way to do it. It forces you to do what is not comfortable for you. One important thing is not to pretend to understand something when you really don’t. A lot of people do that and it really retards the learning process. Don’t be afraid to sound stupid, because you will. Everyone does. Read and listen and study as much as you can. Ask people to repeat themselves or speak more slowly. You’ll be encouraged more this way than if you hang back and let others carry the conversations.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by kennedy
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Thanks kennedy. I'll take that into account. A man I know, who is Irish-speaking (not the same guy in post 1, this chap is much older) said "Speak the language, even if you're bad at it. Speak it. You learn from your mistakes and no-one will punish you for trying".
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
The Irish colleges have a mixed reputation - I believe Colaiste na bhFiann is particularly strict , and in my day (about 25 years ago) it was known as a breeding ground for Republicanism.
Whichever colaiste you go to, you're bound to learn more Irish - most of them, have the "No English" rule to some degree (No full sentence in English, in most cases) and you will definitely have a good time.
Bain sult as!
(Have fun with it)
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by RockyRoader
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Ok, thanks RockyRoader. I've heard that I'd learn more Irish at Colaiste na bhFiann than the usual summer Gaeltacht so that's why I'm quite excited really.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
I attended Coláiste na bhFiann both as a student and teacher. It involves total immersion and they are very stricy about the 'one sentence in English and you're out' rule. However, there are different levels, so you can attend a level that suits you. I remember that I started dreaming and thinking in Irish after a few days and that makes it so much easier as you're not likely to slip into English. I also remember some students who weren't very confident speakers being totally fluent by the end of the course. It's hard work at the start, but very soon you just speak Irish naturally and by the end of the course, it feels strange switching back to English again.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by fidleir
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Where is Colaiste na bhFiann and when do the courses run?
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Thanks fidleir. That's certainly making me feel more like going. I would never expect it to be an easy course. I have no problem making an effort and speaking to the best of my ability. I suppose its all in practice but I personally believe that this is the place to go.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
There is a website Bannerman. Just key it into google or some search engine and find their website which has all of the details.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
http://www.colaistenabhfiann.ie/
There you are. They run during the summer for 3 weeks. There is a few branches. I've been reccomended the one in Connemara but I wouldn't say there is much difference.
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Bain triall as
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by Red Robin
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Hi there,
I spent many a summer at Colaiste na bhFiann, both as a student and later, I worked there as a group leader and a senior group leader.
If you really want to learn Irish, it's the way to go. The rules are enforced. After my first three weeks there, I couldn't talk English for about a week, although I understood everything. I've also made many friends there, with whom I'm still in contact, years later.
You might also be interested in checking out the local Cumann na bhFiann club in your area, if you'd like to start brushing up on your Irish now ...
Slan go foill,
Helen.
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by mcdevith
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Thanks Helen. It sounds like its very much so worth doing. I really do want to learn the Irish language. I hope to speak it some day soon but need proper resources. It sounds like this place is certainly the way to go about it. I'll check and see if I can find out anything about Cumann na bhFiann too, in the meantime.
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
As good as Coláiste na bhFiann is I'd recommend Coláiste Chamuis which is in Conamara. I spent 4 summers there and had the time of my life. Camus has the Irish rule of once sentence and you're out also. I've heard that Coláiste na bhFiann aren't as strict anymore. A teacher who thought at both colleges told me that the main difference beteen the two colleges is that there is a more sense of freedom in Camus!
I think the website is www.colaistechamuis.com
Bain sult as ar aon nós!
# Posted on October 13th 2006 by Roger O' Miller
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Coláiste na bhFiann is the sh*t! If you want to learn the language don't pussy foot about and be a life long 'oh I wish I had listened more when at school etc'. I get that attitude every day when I tell people what I do. Like music, those who did not lern from a very young age have had to put in the serious hours over years to reach fluency, anyone who wishes to reach a degree of ability with the language must do the same. There is no short cut.
I have been teaching the language at all levels to all ages for ten years. I have seen peole put in the effort and enjoy the rewards, I have also seen the same faces come back to the same class every year and get nowhere.
Jump in at the deep end, take a trip to Coláiste na bhFiann or one of the many great Coláistí Gaeltachta, you will very quickly learn how to swim.
These Coláistí, although the sound strict really do work, there is no better way to learn the language. Just don't think you should be fluent over night, effort still required.
# Posted on October 13th 2006 by proinsiasrua
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
I'm interested in going there myself but I sat ordinary level Irish for the Junior Cert. and got a B. Doyou think I have a chance of getting in never mind learning the language? I'm motivated and realley want to learn Irish.
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by ConfusedConcertina
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
I worked there for 6 years after coming up through the ranks from the age of 11. Did me a lot of good but also did a lot of damage. You could say I was brainwashed a bit. Seems to be more modern these days and less anti-English. By the way, I worked full time with Hector O hEochagain (Real name Shane - for those who didnt know). He's as mad in real life as he is on TG4
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by CarlowTrad
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
Hello Daragh,
Go for it! If you're motivated, you'll have no problem learning! Just keep at it ...
Slan,
Helen.
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by mcdevith
Re: Colaiste na bhFiann
To introduce a musical note to all this, Seán (or Hector) mentioned above, spent some time in Bilbao where his girl friend (later to become his wife), Dympna Griffin was teaching.
Dympna, who is a fine flute player, is the sister of Clair Griffin, an excellent accordeon player, who is the wife of the well known concertina player, Timmy Collins.
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by murfbox