BA in Irish: study/learning techniques needed

[Dáibhí]

I'm 36 and I need to develop the ability to write professionally in Irish. Part of this will naturally mean that I become fluent in speaking Irish but the immediate need is to be able to communicate, understand and translate in written Irish. I passed first year Irish many years ago, but I was no Seán Ó Ríordáin.

I have now decided that I am going back to do the remaining 2 years of the BA as a full-time student. The 2nd Year is going to be stressful as I will be working/studying full-time in the same year. I will also quite possibly get married, a fact I'm mentioning just to convey another aspect of the pressures in the next year. In a nutshell, age and personal circumstance mean that I have to work more efficiently this year and keep on top of everything in order to avoid stress/manage it better.

So, what advice would you all have to achieve my above aim. I’ve divided it into two stages:

2nd Year Irish: I will be very happy just to pass it. I know that sounds bad but I will be working a part-time job and another fulltime course at the same time so if I escape with my mental health intact I’ll consider myself blessed.

3nd Year Irish: I want to get the 1st class honours but would be happy with a high 2:1. I achieved these in my last BA results. I will not have any other course/work this year, and will be dedicated to achieving this result. I'm a voracious reader and I’m academically inclined. However, as yet I’ve displayed no great skill in acquiring a language. My big question is: how can I translate this work rate into results when learning Irish? I think if I crack the study techniques here the vast majority of my stress will dissipate.

Finally, any recommendations for books which you have found helpful in achieving these aims would be greatly appreciated. Even if you know of people who have gone back and achieved this it would be encouraging given all the emphasis people put on saying you acquire languages easier when you’re younger. This psychological edge would be helpful.


Thanks very much in anticipation.

[djcervi]

UCD have a part time arts programme, which might help matters if you juggling many things at once.

[pog it]

It sounds like you're leaving the real Irish study and learning to 3rd year.. and you're willing to take on 2nd year of Irish next year to get to that stage.
I reckon this is doable enough. You can learn a lot of language in one year, and you'll have your headstart with what you have now, and with your 2nd year Irish. I personally feel you'd be better off commiting a full year to your own self study of Irish, and then do the diploma in translation, but you know best what your needs are.

Have you enquired with the Department if you can do both years together in one year? Unlikely, but if you are only doing one subject maybe they allow for this?

[conchubhar1]

i would most definitely use beo.ie and listen to rnag and watch irish tv

i am doing irish in ucd - if you have any specific questions pm me

btw seán ó ríordáin is the worst example to pick for good irish - no offence to the chap and i speak the sort of irish he did...
mhac an tsaoi had some stricking comments on his irish

nollaig mac congails grammar book is a must!
grammar wise there is no beating it