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Course Descriptions

OIDEAS GAEL Language courses are specially designed to cater for the needs of adults at all learning stages, including those who are more advanced but in need of practice. Each course contains three or more levels — beginner, intermediate and advanced — and is usually of one week's duration.

CLASS TUITION is by specialist teachers who use graded courses, supported by modern audiovisual resources, as well as other proven methods of language teaching. The daily schedule consists of intensive morning and afternoon tutorials with attention directed toward spoken Irish (except for some units at the highest level), aiming at correct pronunciation, proper idiom and development of vocabulary, particularly of contemporary life. Our aim is to foster conversational ability and fluency, with some 35 language contact hours per course . Recreational activities such as dancing, poetry, or guest lectures take place each evening, after which participants are free to practice their Irish with people from all levels while enjoying the craic in the local pubs.

The social format of the courses ensures that people attending on their own will quickly feel comfortable and at ease within the group.

It has been the experience of the Directors that those who complete a two–week programme succeed in achieving a marked improvement in fluency.

Our courses are officially recognised by the Department of Education.

The Language & Culture Summer School focuses on language learning each morning, with tutorial sessions at all levels. The afternoons provide workshops such as tin whistle, set dancing, hill walking, sean–nós singing, or participation in study groups that examine particular elements of Irish Culture. Each of these workshops is under the direction of an expert in that field. Evening events include lectures in Irish folklore, poetry readings, and concerts of traditional music and song.

OILIÚINT AR MHÚINTEOIRÍ:
Tá an cúrsa seo á thairiscint dóibh siúd ar mian leo na scileanna riachtanacha a shealbhú le Gaeilge a mhúineadh do dhaoine fásta.
Tá bileog ar leith ar fáil don chúrsa seo ach í a iarraidh. Faigh tríd an phoist í, nó cliceáil anseo go bhfaighfidh tú pdf
(This is a teacher training course for fluent speakers interested in teaching adult classes.)

CRUINNEAS SA GHAEILGE:
Tá na cúrsaí seo dírithe ar dhaoine a bhfuil caighdeán maith Gaeilge acu ar mian leo cur lena gcruinneas scríofa agus labhartha, agus a stór focal a shaibhriú chomh maith.
Tá bileog ar leith ar fáil don chúrsa seo ach í a iarraidh. Faigh tríd an phoist í, nó cliceáil anseo go bhfaighfidh tú pdf
(This course is directed at fluent speakers wishing to perfect their grammatical accuracy and improve vocabulary.)

GEARRCHÚRSA AISTRIÚCHÁIN 'Ó BHÉARLA GO GAEILGE':
Gearrchúrsa seachtaine is ea 'Ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge' a bheidh ar siúl i bhForas Cultúir Uladh, Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Dhún na nGall ar na dátaí seo a leanas: 21 –26 Iúil 2008
Tá an cúrsa seo dírithe ar dhaoine le sárscileanna Gaeilge, atá ag aistriú cheana féin nó ar mian leo tabhairt faoin aistriúchán. Tá foirm chlárúcháin ar fáil: cliceáíl anseo. go bhfaighfidh tú pdf (This course is suitable for highly skilled Irish speakers who are already translating or who want to become translators.)

These courses are organised in a bilingual form, which makes them equally attractive to people with little or no Irish and people who have Irish. All of these courses offer participants an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy an activity holiday within a rich cultural setting.

HILL WALKING Siúl Sléibhe:
The Sliabh Liag Peninsula offers some of the most breathtaking settings in Ireland for walking. Our experienced instructors lead a programme that is physically and culturally rewarding for novice and experienced walker alike.
Eolas breise/more information
and see our Donegal Hillwalking pages for more hillwalking pictures and details

CELTIC POTTERY Potadóireacht Cheilteach:
The native skills of pottery making are taught by a professional art teacher and potter. Participants will, through 'hands on' tuition, be able to design, model and fire selected pieces of their work created during the course.
Eolas breise/more information

ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE An Timpeallacht:
This course offers an exploration of both the natural and man–made heritage of the region, with morning presentations and afternoon field trips. Topics will include: the landscape before the arrival of man; the impact of the first inhabitants; the bogs and their flora and fauna; patterns of land use; and other environmental themes.
Eolas breise/more information

MARINE PAINTING Péintéireacht Fharraige:
The dramatic coastal landscape of the Sliabh Liag Peninsula is the setting for the classes, which cater both for beginners and improvers. Directed by professional Irish artists
Eolas breise/more information (agus www.king–studio.com).

FLUTE & WHISTLE PLAYING An Fliút agus An Fheadóg:
An 'Exploration of Irish Music' through the flute and whistle, presented by a leading traditional musician, offers tuition to both the learner and the improver. Workshops will also explain the development and progress of Irish music to modern times.
Eolas breise/more information

IRISH HARP PLAYING Cláirseach Éireannach:
Instruction is by an expert harper with particular focus on beginners and improvers. The course content includes classes on the history of the Irish harp, workshops on playing techniques, the learining of new melodies and performing in the company of others.
Eolas breise/more information

ARCHAEOLOGY Seandálaíocht:
5,000 Years in Stone is the theme of this programme. It includes field trips to the numerous pre– and early–Christian monuments of the region, as well as evening lectures by scholars in early Irish literature, history, art, archaeology and folklore.
Eolas breise/more information

DONEGAL DANCES Damhsaí Dhún na nGall:
Tuition is by a leading instructor in traditional two–hand dances such as the Mazurka, the Highland, Shoe the Donkey, and the Peeler & the Goat. Beginner steps in Set Dancing are also taught as part of the lively weeklong programme.
Eolas breise/more information

BODHRÁN PLAYING An Bodhrán:
Weekend courses provide the learner an opportunity of studying the various techniques of Bodhrán playing. Learn how to accompany solo and group musicians in a seisiún; how to play the various beats required for hornpipes, jigs, reels, mazurkas and polkas. A guaranteed craic weekend!

Cúrsaí do Ghrúpaí / Group Courses

Irish courses are organised during the year at beginner and intermediate levels by special request. We custom–tailor packages to suit individual groups. See Here for details, or Contact Us to discuss your group's interests and requirements at no obligation.

OIDEAS GAEL offers group study or semester programmes for universities, companies, social clubs and other organisations who would like specialist courses on the Irish language, culture, archaeology, environment, folklore, weaving or other disciplines.

Combination courses are also organised by special arrangement. Accommodation and travel can be arranged to suit particular requirements. These courses are offered outside of our regular summer schedule, thus giving students and excellent opportunity to interact with local people and to participate in the everyday life of the community.

Cúrsaí do Mhúinteoirí / Courses for Teachers

Tugtar aitheantas bliantúil do chúrsaí Oideas Gael faoi Riail 58 mar chúrsaí in–seirbhíse a thuilleann saoire bhreise phearsanta. Courses are usually recognised by 'An Roinn Oideachais' under Rule 58 for in–service training and extra personal leave.

All Oideas Gael Irish language courses are appropriate for teachers wishing to learn and improve their spoken Irish for 'Scrúdú Cáilíochta na Gaeilge' (SCG) and other qualifications.

External University Programs

Recent external programmes offered at Oideas Gael include:

• 5–week language and cultural programme for Evergreen State College, Washington, USA.
  
  
• 15–week 'Colmcille Semester' programme offered by the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, in conjuntion with Oideas Gael and the University of Ulster at Derry.
  
  
• The Irish Studies program offered by Hartford College, Oneonta, NY, USA.

Léim go Barr — Jump to the Top

Questions? See our FAQ page!

Contact information:

Post: Oideas Gael, Gleann Cholm Cille,
          Contae Dhún na nGall, Éire

Tel: +353 (0)74 97 30 248;
Facs: +353 (0)74 97 30 348

Ríomhphoist: oifig@oideas–gael.com