Is it too late for Gael Scoil

waterford_21

My daughter is 9 - going into 4th class in Sept. Is it too late to change her to Gaelscoil? Any experience of kids this age joining - adapting and coping with the change to Gaeilge. She really wants to go - just not sure how she'll cope?

overmantle

I have to say that unless she's willing to work very hard, I wouldn't advise it at this stage. She would be at a considerable disadvantage.

waterford_21

Thanks for your comments.
I realise it could be difficult - just wondering if any parents have real experience of this type of changeover - or know of other kids inyour Gaelscoil who came to it at age 8/9.

Many thanks agian.

IIMII

No, it's not too late. Most principles will offer to help, and the teachers will go the extra mile. In fact it might be easier to get your child in at this stage as many of the Gaelscoileanna are over-subscribed for the early years, but there can be spaces as you move up through the years. Kids learn a lot at that age and quickly

overmantle

The last contributor is right in that spaces can become available as you move up through the Gaelscoil as it can happen that a small percentage of pupils transfer from Gaelscoileanna in the middle standards. (Sometimes from 1st/2nd upwards).
Normally, pupils who move into Gaelscoileanns at that point are those transferring from other Gaelscoileanna. If the Gaelscoil to which you hope to transfer your daughter is willing to provide extra support, then who knows, it may all work out.

byhookorbycrook

Most Gaelscoileanna will not take children from an English speaking school so late, it is very hard for a child to land into a new school and not have the terms/language for many of the subjects. That said, I know lots of children who go to Gaelcholaistí (secondary) without having been i the primary and manage very well, worth ringing your local Gaelscoil to see ,anyhow.

ukgalwaymcguire

no it isnt but then it depends on your daughters ability

i moved too galway last august 2008, i have a 10 year old and a 14 year old.
my nearest school is literally 20 steps from my house which is a gael scoil, but i thought my youngest is 10, educated solely in london, not going too work, so i sent her too a english speaking school.
long and the short of it, in 9 months she is EXCEEDING children in irish who have been taught the language since age 5, this is without any extra tutition (i speak english and south london lol)
so if you feel she could do it go for it.
or even ask the school if they could do a day or two as a trial before you commit, im sure they will as it wont benefit them if a pupil doesnt fit.

JC 2K3

I went to an English speaking primary school and then to an Irish speaking secondary school. Absolutely no problem. Picked up the language in 2-3 months. No "hard work" was required, when you're immersed like that you gain fluency very easily. My summer exam results at the end of first year were among the best in the year, so it in no way hindered my academic ability.

I would reckon that she'd be fine after the first few months, and would perhaps surprise you with how quickly she'd gain fluency. That said, there's no harm in waiting and sending her to an Irish speaking secondary school.

waterford_21

Thanks eVeryone - after a few meetings the school haVe agreed to giVe it a try - tho they seem pretty pessimistic about the outcome for my daughter, so we said we would take full responsibility if she falls behind in her subjects. but I'm sure with a bit of extra work on our behalf she will do fine. She really wants to do it - so thats half the battle!

yurmothrintites

I agree a trial run would be best for a day or two, if your child is thought through Irish in her present school, it might make the transfer easier.

overmantle

Sounds like a reasonable idea. She will obviously be at a disadvantage but if she and you are willing to give it everything, then it MIGHT work.

waterford_21

Just to follow up on my post from last September.
Went ahead and started my daughter at a GaelScoil, and its' been brilliant!!! She is now chatting away in Irish, very confident with her friends, doing really well in most subjects and is so delighted with herself for making such a success of itl. Hardest is Maths and learning tables in Irish - but that will take time.
So thanks to those who encouraged me - and if you're thinking of moving your child from National School to a GaelScoil, even at 4thclass I believe it's very doable.

Happy New Year
Eileen

TheColl

that's fantastic.

i'm a teacher myself and i would imagine it's a bit like a foreign child with little english moving to ireland and joining a mainstream school, except in your case there would have been no culture change for your daughter.

overmantle

Greta to hear that Eileen. Your little girl is obviously a bright spark though as if she wasn't it would more than likely have proven far more difficult. Thrilled to hear your story as I have since heard the opposite in the case of a little boy who joined a Gaelscoil in 3rd class. He has since moved back to a regular primary school as he just found it much too stressful.

sinabhfuil

I know a lad that came from an english speaking school, did 6th class in a gaelscoil,went on to an english secondary and is doing honours Irish. It works if the child is willing and able. Support from the parents is importanat too.