Elementary Modern Irish

4 units
130 Dwinelle
TuTh 3:30-5
Thomas Walsh

This is a beginner’s course. The goal of this course is proficiency in beginning Irish. To that end, we work at a reasonable but solid pace through Ó Dónaill’s book. We will supplement this work with a workbook, Progress in Irish. Students will learn about the history of the language and the basics of Irish grammar. Emphasis will be on pronunciation, and the acquisition of basic vocabulary and idioms. Our highest priority is for students to develop their ability to understand, speak, read and write the language. Simple written stories and conversations in Irish will supplement classroom oral-aural work.

Class activities will include conversation and discussion of homework in Irish. At the end of the course students should be able to carry on a basic conversation in Irish, as they use the unique idioms of the language; in addition we will practice reading and writing basic poetry and prose.

Student assignments will include regular homework assignments, quizzes, a midterm, and a final.

Texts:

Gaeilge gan Stró! Beginners Level: A Multimedia Irish Language Course for Adults (English and Irish Edition) by Éamonn Ó Dónaill.  ISBN-10: 0956361447; ISBN-13: 978-0956361448.

Progress in Irish by Máiréad Ní Ghráda. Edco, The Educational Company of Ireland. ISBN-13: 978-0861671595;  ISBN-10: 0861671597.

Other materials available on b-courses and in handouts.

Prerequisites: None.