EDUCATION:

Language

The ICC is part of an Irish language development project generously supported by An Roinn Ealaíon, Oidreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta/Department of Arts, Culture. Our language classes are offered this year in collaboration with the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies.

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. [A country without a language is a country without a soul] - Pádraig Pearse

About the Irish Language Courses
 
Our classes celebrate the beauty of the Irish language and aim to develop appropriate levels of competency. Greater levels of fluency and confidence are achieved though an increased understanding of grammar and expansion of students' vocabulary. Whilst we aim to ensure the learning experience is an enjoyable one, progress only happens when students engage with, and make a serious commitment to, the education programme. Regular attendance is compulsory and you are expected to undertake some study at home outside of the weekly classes, e.g. reading and practising spoken exercises. This year and for the next 3 years, in one of the largest adult learning agreements of the modern era for Irish language, classes will be promoted and taught at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, but the registration and student enquiries will be overseen by The University of Liverpool.

The Cathaoirleach of the ICC, Peter Power-Hynes, said: "It's fantastic to see such a development and appreciation for Irish Language classes in adult learners outside of Ireland. Language is such an important part of everything we do at the Irish Cultural Centre. I will be enrolling for sure."

Classes are offered both online and in-person at the ICC Hammersmith. All courses are 30 weeks in duration and the course fee is £180. The total number of contact hours for each course is 40.5 hours but total recommended number of study hours to complete each level differs and is outlined in each course description. Students will also be expected to purchase their own textbook for personal use. We recommend that you do not purchase any books or other equipment for your course until we have confirmed the course is definitely running. Decisions are usually made around 7 days prior to the course starting.

Student Cards

Students who enrol for our classes will become a Continuing Education Student at the University of Liverpool, granting participants a university email address, access to online university resources and each successfully enrolled student will receive a University of Liverpool Student Card. 

Language Field Trip To Dingle

Each year, students also can opt to take part in an annual field trip to Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland involving three days of immersive language learning, cultural activities and a fascinating exploration of local heritage. Limited places are offered on a first-come first-served basis and students are required to contribute towards the cost of this optional trip.


Term Dates

Term 1 – w/c 25 September 2023 – w/c 04 December 2023 (Half term is the week of 23rd October)

Term 2 - w/c 15 January 2024 – w/c 25 March 2024 (Half term is the week of 12 February)

Term 3 - w/c 15 April 2024 – w/c 24 June 2024 (Half term is the week of 27 May) – bank holiday 6th May 2024

 

Irish Tutors and Teaching Times

Pádraig O'Loingsigh - Stage 1: Tuesdays 18:00-19:30; Stage 2: 19:30-21:00 (ICC)
Anne Hunt - Stage 1: Tuesdays 18:00-19:30; Stage 2: 19:30-21:00 (ONLINE)
Michael O'Murchu - Stage 3: Mondays 18:00-19:30 (BH 6th May 2024); Stage 4: Tuesdays 18:00-19:30 (ICC)

Course Fees and Enrolment

Each year will cost £180 and attendance will be monitored by tutors. Students do not need to enrol for each term. This is one course.

Watch out on our newsletter for when courses open for enrolment.
All course-specific queries must be made to The University of Liverpool, by phone to 0151 794 6900 or by email to [email protected].

 

Refund Policy

If you wish to withdraw from a course, an emailed application for a refund must be sent to [email protected] a minimum of 14 days prior to the course start date. No refunds will be issued after this date. All withdrawal refunds are subject to an administrative charge of 10% of the relevant fee.

This does not affect your statutory right to cancel this contract at any time within the 14 days immediately following your registration on a course, without giving any reason.  In such a circumstance, you will be entitled to a refund of any course fee you have paid to the University prior to your decision to cancel.

All notices of cancellation must be made in writing to [email protected].


Classes will be offered in-Centre and online. The levels are as below:

 

 

Absolute Beginners

The Stage 1 absolute beginners class is for absolute beginners or students with very limited knowledge of the language. No previous knowledge of Irish is required. Through a variety of methods students will develop a very basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of basic Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module students will be on the way to achieving an A1 proficiency level in the TEG and will be able to carry out very simple everyday tasks in Irish. Students will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They will be able to introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They will be able to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. They will have a basic understanding of significant aspects of life and culture of the country and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.


Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 80-100 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! - Beginners Level

 

Tutor Pádraig O'Loingsigh

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Tuesdays 18:00-19:30

Venue Irish Cultural Centre

Cost £180

Beyond Beginners

The Stage 2 beyond beginners class is for students who have completed Stage 1 Absolute Beginners Irish or have an A1 standard of the language in the CEFR. Through a variety of methods students will develop an elementary competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of elementary Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module, students will have achieved and A1 proficiency level and will be on the way to achieving an A2 proficiency level in the CEFR. They will be able to carry out everyday tasks in Irish and to attempt unfamiliar ones. Students will be able to follow and hold a simple conversation and function in daily life using the language: i.e.: shopping, traveling on public transport, giving directions… They will have a good understanding of life and culture of Ireland and the intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.

Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 160-200 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! - Beginners Level

 

Tutor Pádraig O'Loingsigh

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Tuesdays 19:30-21:00

Venue Irish Cultural Centre

Cost £180

Lower Intermediate

The Stage 3 lower intermediate class is for students who have completed Stage 2 Beyond Beginners Irish, or who have an A2 (lower intermediate) standard of the language in the CEFR. Through a variety of methods students will keep developing an intermediate competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of the Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module students will be able to connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences, events, dreams, and expectations and give their own opinion. They will be able to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They will have a good understanding of life and culture in Ireland and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.

Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 350-400 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! - Beginners Level and Gaeilge Gan Stró! – Lower Intermediate Level

 

Tutor Michael O'Murchu

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Mondays: 18:00-19:30

Venue Irish Cultural Centre

Cost £180

Absolute Beginners (Online)

The Stage 1 absolute beginners class is for absolute beginners or students with very limited knowledge of the language. No previous knowledge of Irish is required. Through a variety of methods students will develop a very basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of basic Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module students will be on the way to achieving an A1 proficiency level in the TEG and will be able to carry out very simple everyday tasks in Irish. Students will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They will be able to introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They will be able to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. They will have a basic understanding of significant aspects of life and culture of the country and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.

 

Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 80-100 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! - Beginners Level

 

Tutor Anne Hunt

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Tuesdays 18:00-19:30

Venue Online

Cost £180

Beyond Beginners (Online) 

The Stage 2 beyond beginners class is for students who have completed Stage 1 Absolute Beginners Irish or have an A1 standard of the language in the CEFR. Through a variety of methods students will develop an elementary competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of elementary Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module, students will have achieved and A1 proficiency level and will be on the way to achieving an A2 proficiency level in the CEFR. They will be able to carry out everyday tasks in Irish and to attempt unfamiliar ones. Students will be able to follow and hold a simple conversation and function in daily life using the language: i.e.: shopping, traveling on public transport, giving directions… They will have a good understanding of life and culture of Ireland and the intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.

Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 160-200 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! - Beginners Level

 

Tutor Anne Hunt

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Tuesdays 19:30-21:00

Venue Online

Cost £180

Upper Intermediate

The Stage 4 upper intermediate course is for students who have completed Stage 3 Lower Intermediate Irish or who have an A2- standard of the language in the CEFR. Through a variety of methods, students will keep developing an upper intermediate competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Irish and an understanding of Irish grammar.

 

At the end of this 30-week module, students will be able to briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans as well as narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe their reactions to it. They will be able to enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events) and to understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.

Total contact hours: 40.5 hours
Recommended number of study hours: 350-400 hours
Textbook: Gaeilge Gan Stró! – Lower Intermediate Level

 

Tutor Michel O'Murchu

Date Term 1: 25 Sep – 04 Dec 2023 (Half Term 23 Oct)

Times Tuesdays 18:00-19:30

Venue Irish Cultural Centre

Cost £180

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