Irish Diploma

galwaygirl1991

I am thinking of doing the part time Irish Diploma level B2 for the next two years. Anyone here done it already? What were your opinions on it?

Carsinian Thau

I did the C1 (One step above the B2, but I'd say the two would be quite similar). Found it quite enjoyable. Posted some info in this forum about it before. I'll see if I can find it.

galwaygirl1991

thanks that would be really helpful. I'm not really sure what to expect because I haven't done any irish in over a year. Is it known to be helpful for further studies?

Carsinian Thau

galwaygirl1991 wrote: »

thanks that would be really helpful. I'm not really sure what to expect because I haven't done any irish in over a year. Is it known to be helpful for further studies?

You'll be fine. It starts fairly basically and then ramps up the pace so you begin to learn quickly.

It depends on what further studies you want but it won't hinder you.

This is what I wrote in the previous thread on the matter:

Carsinian Thau wrote: »

You do three hours worth of classes every week (attendance is taken at every class and if you don't attend a required number of classes they'll get cranky).
The course focuses equally on written and spoken Irish although the assignments are only written. They don't take very long and some lecturers would even allow you to email them in.
You'll have examinations to attend throughout the year. They occur a fair bit ahead of the main university exams so you won't lose any precious revision time when they come around and they tend not to impact on you at all really. You'll have one comprehension exam, one listening test and an oral. Then they'll be the main written paper.
In first year (and that's all I've done so far) you also have a weekend course to attend. This focuses on different aspects of the Irish language aside from the language itself (e.g legal status, history of gaeltachts, irish language media and even analysis of other minority languages {if irish can be classified as a minority language}). This weeked is surprisingly enjoyable.
You'll need to have at least a C3 at higher level to do it though.
Aside from that, it's totally manageable and even enjoyable.

The bit in bold is no longer true. I finished it the year after writing that post. Got 1st class honours in it too!

galwaygirl1991

tanks for that:) i'm not really worried about it now anymore, you've put me at ease about it all:p

Cathal O

hey..i am thinking of doing this aswell...but im not sure of what course to do..i.e, what course is higher standard
i have a high (ish) standard ...b1 in higher and i was near fluent by the time of my oral however my written ahs a lot left 2 b desired haha..however that was a year ago...

Carsinian Thau

C3 and above in higher level is apparently good enough for the C1 diploma.

To put you mind at ease: I went in with a B2 in higher level LC Irish and I got through the diploma just fine.

Although, I have a friend who has just applied to undertake the diploma and she mentioned that she did a test before completing the registration process. (It was very quick and not at all taxing, so don't even entertain the thought of letting it concern you). So that could serve as an indication as to which level they'd like to place you at.

However, it's been four years since she did the LC so maybe that's why.

I think at the end of the day, the decision is let up to yourself. (Or at least, in my time, it was.)

There are links to the course info pages that could help you out if you're still unsure. And you can always ask them in person or email, they won't mind explaining it to anyone.

Btw, just so you're aware, it's a two year course with each year costing about €150 or €160. (Subsidised by the Irish Govt, true cost actually approximates to about €1000 or so!).

Lockstep

I'm on it for 2010.

I didnt do the Leaving Cert and mostly learned my IRish off my dad (he speaks fluently), was really nervous about my written Irish but they put in the B2 class based on my language exam.

galwaygirl1991

how do you know if you got it?

steveod

Is as Sasana ó dhúchas mé agus ní raibh mé aon Gaelige a chor a bith, ach anois tá mé ag caint Gaeilge an t-am go leor...

I only did the A2 level diploma last year which was nice and gentle but I was amazed at how much I enjoyed the course and how much I learned.

I'm definately doing the B2 level next. I've seen the course material and I don't think it looks that bad and I've only been learning the langauge for two year from scratch. The topics around which you learn the language are the same as the A2 level (lathaeta saoire, dó chlann, áit dhuchais, and so on), but you get a bit more into the grammar and you build up you vocab a bit more.

The A2 course was really well taught and the teaching staff we very patient and supportive, and I've no reason to think that the B level will be any different.

I would certainly recommend the course to anyone with an interest in the language, and the weekends in the Gealtacht are great craic.

Feicfidh mé thú ann!!

Cathal O

How do you get to apply to get on it if you dont mind me asking

steveod

Cathal O

check out de link

http://nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuing-education-courses/irish.html

ciano1

Thinking of doing it for the craic.
Done the placement test and they got back to me saying I was able to take the C1 course.

Here's a link with more info, theres a link to the placement test at the bottom of the page too. http://www.acadamh.ie/cursai/cursai_dioplomai/dioploma_sa_ghaeilgec1.html

podgey1

hi, just a quick question has anybody got a job from doing this course, or what kind of jobs do you think you could get from doing it or if it would be possible to get into the teaching courses doing it. hope to hear from you thanks.

Cathal O

Hey,
i have finished my first year C1 in legal irish...as im doin law- i dont think there is any difference really except the topics are slightly moved towards the law at some stages, same standard as the other C1.

In my case i am hoping that as irish is now a recognised eu language it will be easier to get a job in the eu with it, things like translations, interpretations etc, there is a lot more jobs with it than without it. You need 2 distinguish yourself i think this is a good way to do this.

LadyLorr20

Hi, I'm just wondering could anyone help me. Basically, I want to try and get into the primary teaching post grad next year. But my level of Irish is very low. I'd love to know if there are any night classes or online classes I could look into for improving my irish? I know there is a two year Irish diploma in NUIG but I've been told that you can only do that if your still in the college doing your undergrad ?

Ficheall

LadyLorr20 wrote: »

I know there is a two year Irish diploma in NUIG but I've been told that you can only do that if your still in the college doing your undergrad ?

Not true, but it is substantially more expensive if you're not a student. I did the diploma about 8 years ago and wouldn't really have recommended it, but it may have changed since. One of the lasses teaching it was absolutely gorgeous, mind, if that helps...

keesa

I did the C2 one. Awful. My irish got so much worse during the 2 years. But, I was almost fluent going in, and couldn't stand them droning on about the tenses etc that I already knew. Might be better if your Irish was weaker going in.

LadyLorr20

Well, i would be fairly weak going in alright.. I'm definitely not fluent! to be honest, i'd need a whole brush up on irish.. havent spoke it in nearly 4 years! :eek:

and no, it doesnt really help if she was gorgeous. haha. still wont improve my irish! :rolleyes: