Hi everyone! So today I'm going to be giving you all some useful Irish advice so you can be as fluent as possible and make the most of your learning experience. This will probably be the most beneficial chapter in this book.
I know that many of my viewers come from far and wide so I'll be giving a range of different tips to suit everyone!
Lets go!!
1)
Hate to throw this at you but-
DUOLINGO WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND
I swear- I've been using it since June for basic revision but I have learned so much too!!
2)
Go to the Gaeltacht!!
It's addictive- once you go once you'll want to go back and it'll improve your Irish immensely.
Submersion is vital for leaning any language- not just Irish!
3)
WATCH TG LURGAN
Heck go to Coláiste Lurgan!
Or any Irish Language summer camp if you can
(It's better than watching the news anyway I mo thuirim anyway)
4)
READ BOOKS!
Kids stories, Harry Potter in Irish, school books etc.
You could read the newspaper too but I find that you learn more if you're doing something you enjoy.
5)
This sounds crazy but-
Have fun with it?
You'll actually learn so much more if you're enjoying the process!! Don't be too hard on yourselves!
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What if I don't live in Ireland?
No problem!
You can learn Irish anywhere!
Come visit! You mightn't hear Irish everywhere but it's all around you even if you don't see it! (road signs hehe)
There's so many other resources online though, including Duolingo, Rosetta Stone and searching online for school books!
I have zero motivation!! Help!
I don't think teachers say this enough, but it's totally OKAY to not want to do something.
There's are times when I don't want to even want to do my Irish homework and the thought of long ass paragraphs.
My advice: take a break! Remember why you started! Remind yourself daily that you're improving every day! Go back to it with a positive mindset!
If you love the language enough, you'll actually pick up the language really quickly!
Tips for speaking?
Make it a part of your routine!
This is what I did:
Start the morning with a 'maidin mhaith' and replace 'goodnight' with Oiche Mhaith!
Then gradually extend the vocabulary! You can have a look through this book and pick out things you like!
Good luck!!
How do I read Irish?!
It's impossible!
Nothing is impossible till it's done!
Yes I agree that Irish is tough, but it's really rewarding!
I've given a pronunciation guide to the majority of words in this book so you can have a look around the other chapters!
- remember that the majority of sentences start with the verb- so know as many verbs as possible! (I have a list! Check it out!)
- Eg: Rith mé go dtí an siopa
Rith mé [I ran] go dtí [to] an siopa [the shop]
Well done! You dd it!
I can't understand anything!
(Yes you can!)
I'm sure you'd be able to understand 1 word! Maybe two?
One or two words out of many is amazing!!
Imagine doing that with Russian or Chinese though! That's tough!
My advice: Increase your vocabulary!
If you're watching YouTube videos (for instance TG Lurgan)
- Watch them again and again!
- Write the Lyrics down (this works I promise)
- google translate is your best friend!
- listen and read, listen and read!
Once you can establish all of the words- well done you've succeeded!!
Pronouncing Irish words Help!!
This can be a toughie!
Ireland has four language dialects which differ from area to area.
This comes with practice! Don't worry if you mess up a little. Practice makes perfect!
Best of luck everyone with your language learning!!
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Learning Gaeilge is a gradual process requiring practice and repetition, but it shouldn't be tedious or frustrating. A key to success is to enjoy the process and pay attention to the little successes- a new word remembered, a difficult pronunciation mastered etc and take pride in your progress! Each lesson completed is another step towards your goal and fluency.
And keep practicing!
TIPS FOR LEARNERS:
1. Live the language. Use Gaeilge as often as you can!
2. Share what you learn. Teaching others is a great way to solidify concepts in your mind.
3. Invest the time. Learning a language doesn't happen overnight. It's a simple equation: the more time spent listening, speaking, reading and writing as Gaeilge, the faster you learn.
4. Get motivated and stay motivated!
Think about how you feel with a good mastery of Gaeilge and keep that image foremost in your mind. Desire is the key to enjoyment, enjoyment is the key to persistence, persistence is the key to success!
5. Relax! Mistakes are good- a necessary part of the learning process. Don't be afraid to make them! Speak boldly and with confidence. If you get it wrong, you'll remember it much better the next time!
A note of caution:
Not using your newly learnt Gaeilge is the best way to waste your time and lose whatever progress achieved.
Use it or lose it!
