Enda Kenny to make irish optional?

SeanMadd

Just saw this:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gf8jm-TLQPjLWIxuJak29bUDxoQA?docId=N0602721297099463953A

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.

Thoughts?

An gal gréine

Our thoughts are all on:
http://www.petitiononline.com/gaeilge/petition.html
Over 14,000 now.

Fighting Irish

great, little late though

deise go deo

Fighting Irish wrote: »

great, little late though

How so? FG are not even in government yet. Plans for protest's are already being made.

MathsManiac

An gal gréine wrote: »

Our thoughts are all on:
http://www.petitiononline.com/gaeilge/petition.html
Over 14,000 now.

All very well, but a pity that it actually makes an incorrect statement about what the FG policy is. The petition states: "It is Fine Gael’s policy to end the Irish language as a compulsory subject for students in schools in the Irish educational system." This is incorrect, if reports are accurate. The FG policy is to retain it as a compulsory subject for the Junior Cert (which is the period of compulsory education) and have it as an option for Leaving Cert.

Irrespective of one's views on the matter, it would be nicer to be able to express an opinion on the actual policy rather than a fictitious one.

RJGMovie

FG are not going far enough. The amount of money wasted on irish in this country is a shame. If it was made optional at all levels there would be more interest in it. This is one of the reasons we have so many migrants taking up the language.

alejandro1977

SeanMadd wrote: »

Just saw this:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gf8jm-TLQPjLWIxuJak29bUDxoQA?docId=N0602721297099463953A

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.

Thoughts?

You're assuming that forcing everyone to learn it will improve the level of spoken Irish. History has shown that it hasn't.

Think of the lads doing pass/foundation subjects in your school - they would have been much better off getting a better grasp of practical subjects.

For those considering going to University the situation isn't going to change - people in favour of Irish revival are really bad at strategy and picking their battles. The definition of madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

deise go deo

alejandro1977 wrote: »

You're assuming that forcing everyone to learn it will improve the level of spoken Irish. History has shown that it hasn't.

History has shown that trying to teach a language through a curriculum that isent fit for purpus will fail. Nothing more.

For those considering going to University the situation isn't going to change - people in favour of Irish revival are really bad at strategy and picking their battles. The definition of madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

And that statment would be valid if Irish language organisations were proposing that the Status Quo be maintained, This is not true however. Compulsion is just one Issue.

Irish language organisations propose major reform in the Curriculum, while leaving it compulsory.

They are not doing the same thing repeatdly and expecting the same result. They are changing how it is done and expecting a different result. Quite sane dont you think?

FG are not going far enough. The amount of money wasted on irish in this country is a shame. If it was made optional at all levels there would be more interest in it. This is one of the reasons we have so many migrants taking up the language.

Care to show any evidience to support this claim? They tried this in England and it failed miserably.

alejandro1977

deise go deo wrote: »

History has shown that trying to teach a language through a curriculum that isent fit for purpus will fail. Nothing more.




And that statment would be valid if Irish language organisations were proposing that the Status Quo be maintained, This is not true however. Compulsion is just one Issue.

Irish language organisations propose major reform in the Curriculum, while leaving it compulsory.

They are not doing the same thing repeatdly and expecting the same result. They are changing how it is done and expecting a different result. Quite sane dont you think?

Then why the knee jerk reaction why a change in compulsion is mentioned?

I'll believe that change when I see it. They have been talking about it since I did my leaving... Even if they do, let's face it, learning Irish is wasted on a good proportion of students.

The Organisations you refer to- who are they? Non Gov Organisations - with no power.

deise go deo

alejandro1977 wrote: »

Then why the knee jerk reaction why a change in compulsion is mentioned?

I'll believe that change when I see it. They have been talking about it since I did my leaving... Even if they do, let's face it, learning Irish is wasted on a good proportion of students.

The Organisations you refer to- who are they? Non Gov Organisations - with no power.

Making languages optional failed Misirably a few years ago in England. The same will happen here.

They are putting pressure on FG to change their Policy from making Irish optional to reforming the Curriculum. No one wants it to stay the same.
Learning a second language is never a waste, Even limited learning of a second language is beneficial.


NGO's with no power iniatly, But with the election looming that list now includes all political parties except FG(So far).

EricPraline

SeanMadd wrote: »

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.
Thoughts?

I think that everyone should be given the opportunity to learn our native language and should be encouraged to do so. However, what saddens me is that the compulsory teaching of the Irish language for the Leaving Certificate appears to have instilled a strong dislike for the language in several recent generations of Irish people. I don't remotely share this dislike, but the vast majority of people I know do.

Personally I'd rather people learn the language out of genuine interest or curiosity. I think that more effort some made to encourage the learning and practical use of Irish at a younger age. By 14-16 students are clearly old enough to decide whether they want to pursue this any further, or specialise in other languages or disciplines.

Fighting Irish

deise go deo wrote: »

Making languages optional failed Misirably a few years ago in England. The same will happen here.

They are putting pressure on FG to change their Policy from making Irish optional to reforming the Curriculum. No one wants it to stay the same.
Learning a second language is never a waste, Even limited learning of a second language is beneficial.


NGO's with no power iniatly, But with the election looming that list now includes all political parties except FG(So far).

It is if the language in question isn't practically dead

deise go deo

Fighting Irish wrote: »

It is if the language in question isn't practically dead

Nope, Learning a second language(Any second language, Even if it is dead) Will be of benefit to the learner. It helps them with their language skills in general. Kids who learn a second language will become better at language in general and their first language will benifit.

This is true of Bi-Lingual kids, and studys have shown that the same is true with limited second language learning.

deise go deo

EricPraline wrote: »

, what saddens me is that the compulsory teaching of the Irish language for the Leaving Certificate appears to have instilled a strong dislike for the language in several recent generations of Irish people. I don't remotely share this dislike, but the vast majority of people I know do.

Thats odd, Surveys into peoples attuides to the Irish language over the past few years have shown that younger people are the most likely to be in favor of Irish.
Followed by high earners.

This can be seen most clearly in students(Where the two groups meet really)

This can be seen by the rapid increase in size of 3rd level Irish societies in recent years.

In UCD the Cumann Gaelach grew to 2000 members last year.

alejandro1977

deise go deo wrote: »

This is true of Bi-Lingual kids, and studys have shown that the same is true with limited second language learning.

Sources? Links?

The point is that many kids don't speak Irish despite being in Irish class for years;

Of course using that time for another subject would also provide benefits

amacachi

deise go deo wrote: »

Making languages optional failed Misirably a few years ago in England. The same will happen here.

By what measure, the numbers fell? That would be a shocking result.

deise go deo

amacachi wrote: »

By what measure, the numbers fell? That would be a shocking result.

The numbers fell from 78% to 44% in the space of a few years. And had a damaging knock on effect across the English Education system

The crisis is outlined here.

deise go deo

alejandro1977 wrote: »

Sources? Links?

The point is that many kids don't speak Irish despite being in Irish class for years;

Of course using that time for another subject would also provide benefits

Benifits of second language study

The Effect of Second Language Learning on Test Scores, Intelligence and

Achievement

EricPraline

deise go deo wrote: »

Nope, Learning a second language(Any second language, Even if it is dead) Will be of benefit to the learner. It helps them with their language skills in general. Kids who learn a second language will become better at language in general and their first language will benifit.

This is true of Bi-Lingual kids, and studys have shown that the same is true with limited second language learning.

deise go deo wrote: »

The numbers fell from 78% to 44% in the space of a few years. And had a damaging knock on effect across the English Education system

I agree with you regarding the benefit of learning a second language. But I can't see the compelling reason why an 18-year old should be sitting an exam in Irish, as opposed to French, German, Spanish or Chinese. All of your above points equally apply to these languages.

Currently many students take no science subject at Leaving Cert level. That would concern me at least as much as a student not taking a second language.

Bottle_of_Smoke

SeanMadd wrote: »

Just saw this:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gf8jm-TLQPjLWIxuJak29bUDxoQA?docId=N0602721297099463953A

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.

Thoughts?

Utter hypocrisy. "I can't speak it but schoolgoers must learn it" You do realise they only want to make it optional for leaving cert? So schoolkids will still be learning it. Jesus wept.

No subject should be mandatory for leaving cert. It should be a preparation for university/working life. You learn enough English and Maths at Junior cert level to cover you for nearly all college courses and jobs.

If you wanted to do engineering/physics or english literature/journalism at third level you wouldn't be the type of person who'd drop maths or english.

Bloody fear of change in this country is shocking.

Bottle_of_Smoke

deise go deo wrote: »

The numbers fell from 78% to 44% in the space of a few years. And had a damaging knock on effect across the English Education system

The crisis is outlined here.

Thing is though Deise, it has been pointed out to you numerous times that is an incredibly disengenous argument.

What age did the British remove the compulsary requirement . . . as you well know - at 14-16. Therefore non-comparable.

FG want to remove it at leaving cert level. It can't have a knock on effect because well . . . there's no school after leaving cert.

If people don't choose Irish for leaving cert - well so what? They'll still have done it from age 4-16 so will be just as capable in it.

deise go deo

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Thing is though Deise, it has been pointed out to you numerous times that is an incredibly disengenous argument.

What age did the British remove the compulsary requirement . . . as you well know - at 14-16. Therefore non-comparable.

FG want to remove it at leaving cert level. It can't have a knock on effect because well . . . there's no school after leaving cert.

If people don't choose Irish for leaving cert - well so what? They'll still have done it from age 4-16 so will be just as capable in it.

Ok, Perhaps I dident choose my words carefully enough, By knock on effect I really ment that it would spread out from where it was made optional and damage other parts of the Education system.

People wouldent bother making an effort for the JC because its not needed for the Leaving.

As clearly mentioned in the article I linked to, It will have an effect on school after the LC, University's in the UK were forced to downsize or close their language departments due to a lack of people coming into them.
This shows clearly that making languages optional did not just let people who dident want to do languages do something else, it affected people who would have studied and progressed with languages, The numbers of people that went on to University to persue a language in the UK declined after it was made optional.


Making languages optional had a wider effect in the UK and it will have a wider effect here. It will not just let people who dont want to study it out of studying it, it will cause a decline in Language learning across the board.

EricPraline

deise go deo wrote: »

Making languages optional had a wider effect in the UK and it will have a wider effect here. It will not just let people who dont want to study it out of studying it, it will cause a decline in Language learning across the board.

If this is the sole basis of your argument, then I presume you wouldn't be against students being required to take one language of their choosing for the Leaving Certificate?

Toyota_Avensis

I'm all pro-Irish and I do speak it myself to a good degree, but I'm in agreement with Enda Kenny's proposal. Sitting the Leaving Cert Course at the minute, so I know myself first hand of the new Irish syllabus & how it's being received. Currently, despite awarding 40% of the overall mark to the Oral, competency in Irish still isn't there. There's a general lack of interest, even for myself who has a great interest, the course still remains very tedious and riddled with lots of time consuming literature which isn't very inspiring for promoting it as a spoken, useful language. What is very frustrating is sitting amongst a class with a poor command of Irish at Higher Level whom are simply doing it (a) because it is compulsory and (b) Preparing them in case they decide to persue a teaching degree in Ireland, as their honour at Higher Level will stand to them in that case.. It's about time we gave those with no interest the opportunity to opt out. They're presence is of no benefit to anyone. It's wasteful time for those who do not enjoy it, It's frustrating for the teacher trying to teach it to those who do not have the required standard of Irish to cooperate with. And lastly, for those of us who have an interest, the boredom created by the lack of interest from others and the ****ty course of literature, the current system could do with being made optional. The Education system in general regarding Irish needs reform. We have a Primary Education stream which lasts 8 Years, somewhere it fails to bring competency (as opposed to fluency) in the language. So yeah, me thinks it's time to address the elephant in the Leaving Certain Classroom and let those who've no interest/intention of using Irish to opt out, letting them get on with their respective lives. And for those of us whom remain with an interest, teach us the spoken, conversational irish, encourage us to use it, and somehow help us to use it in a way which is ''socially acceptable.'' / Deireadh leis an Rant!

conor.hogan.2

For a language that has been dieing for over 400 years and has been "dead" for around 40 odd years it is remarkably fresh.

On topic - I am not surprised, this is Fine Gael.

SeanMadd

I agree with Toyota_Avensis. Although I just found out that they want to make it optional after Junior Cert, which actually isn't that bad. because people with really no interest in the language at all can drop it, but others will take it on. I myself hated Irish up to the Junior Cert. I couldn't put together a proper sentence in Irish and was completely shocked when I got a B.. In pass. Nonetheless a B. But since I've started 5th year I've grown to love it and I have an excellent teacher.

I have to say, I put the blame on how the language is taught, especially in primary school. Right now, us students are wasting our time learning off stories and poems and summaries and notes for each, for about 5%(I think) of our leaving cert. Emphasis should be put more into our grammar/oral..You know, stuff that you'll actually need.

Also I think if irish was more emphasized in primary school we would have been nearly fluent by the time we got to first year. I'm sorry, but Inis Dom or whatever book they're using now is totally useless. Children learn languages a lot quicker than adults, so they should be taught it earlier.

Krusader

SeanMadd wrote: »

I have to say, I put the blame on how the language is taught, especially in primary school. Right now, us students are wasting our time learning off stories and poems and summaries and notes for each, for about 5%(I think) of our leaving cert. Emphasis should be put more into our grammar/oral..You know, stuff that you'll actually need.

Also I think if irish was more emphasized in primary school we would have been nearly fluent by the time we got to first year. I'm sorry, but Inis Dom or whatever book they're using now is totally useless. Children learn languages a lot quicker than adults, so they should be taught it earlier.

Bingo! Chuir tú do mhéar go díreach air! Seo é an fhadhb, gan aon amhras

Gael

61% in favour of compulsory Irish

Different Fine Gael views on Irish in exam

EricPraline

Gael wrote: »

61% in favour of compulsory Irish

It should be stated that the poll was comissioned by Comhar na Muinteoirí Gaeilge. No vested interest there.

Krusader

EricPraline wrote: »

It should be stated that the poll was comissioned by Comhar na Muinteoirí Gaeilge. No vested interest there.

When you open the link it is stated :rolleyes:
And it was coducted by a 3rd party on behalf of them

subedei

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Utter hypocrisy. "I can't speak it but schoolgoers must learn it" You do realise they only want to make it optional for leaving cert? So schoolkids will still be learning it. Jesus wept.

No subject should be mandatory for leaving cert. It should be a preparation for university/working life. You learn enough English and Maths at Junior cert level to cover you for nearly all college courses and jobs.

If you wanted to do engineering/physics or english literature/journalism at third level you wouldn't be the type of person who'd drop maths or english.

Bloody fear of change in this country is shocking.

Actually I used to live in England and still have friends from there and they all complained about making these subjects optional, because once you choose there is no way back. Most people in the UK as here, dont know 100% what they want to do by 16 but the difference there is once someone figures it out a year or two after school they cant go back or if they did it would involve way more work than if they had done it for their A levels. Its not fear of change, just fear of regressing.

An gal gréine

One more stat is that 93% of the country want to revive the Irish language...E.S.R.I.

SeanMadd

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Utter hypocrisy. "I can't speak it but schoolgoers must learn it" You do realise they only want to make it optional for leaving cert? So schoolkids will still be learning it. Jesus wept.

No subject should be mandatory for leaving cert. It should be a preparation for university/working life. You learn enough English and Maths at Junior cert level to cover you for nearly all college courses and jobs.

If you wanted to do engineering/physics or english literature/journalism at third level you wouldn't be the type of person who'd drop maths or english.

Bloody fear of change in this country is shocking.

I only realized it would be optional for leaving certs only after I posted it, so you can see my post above. I'm still learning it, just so you know.

EricPraline

An gal gréine wrote: »

One more stat is that 93% of the country want to revive the Irish language...E.S.R.I.

I'd certainly count myself among that 93%. However I don't believe that compelling people to learn the language is the correct way to revive it.

An gal gréine

I never fancied it when I was compelled to go to school and particularly to learn obscure mathematical conundrums but like everybody else I had to go and endure it.
As has been said it is the curicullum that has to be and can be overhauled.

KylieWyley

Curriculum needs to be overhauled.

Gaelscoils teach it as a language should be taught - the pupils live the language. Non-gaeilge primary schools tend to just drill it in with very little context. As a result, there is a massive gap in knowledge/ability when pupils enter secondary school and this causes problems.

onemorechance

300 blian ó shin bhí Gaeilge mar príomh theanga na tíre seo. Mar gheall ar an plandáil agus ansin gnó, dlí irl. á ndéanamh trí béarla, agus ansin an gorta mór, d'athriagh sé sin.

Anois tá an teanga imigh chomh mór go gceapann go leor daoine go bfhuil sé básaigh. Tá go leor eile ag caith anuas ar an teanga agus ag iarraidh é a scriosadh uilig.

Tá go leor cosúlachtaí idir plandáil Éireann agus Iosrael ag bogadh Iosraelaigh isteach ar talamh na na Palaistínigh.

Méastú an mbeidh na Palaistínigh ag caith anuas ar an teanga Arabach i gceann 300 blian i bhfabhar Eabhraise?

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\24\story_24-12-2010_pg3_5

CG328

There is a 'agóid chiúin' i.e silent protest taking place outside the Dáil on Monday at 12.30 to protest against Fianna Gael's plan....

Gael

An interesting letter on the subject was published in the Indo today.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/scrap-maths-too-if-irish-is-useless-2537151.html

MathsManiac

Gael wrote: »

An interesting letter on the subject was published in the Indo today.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/scrap-maths-too-if-irish-is-useless-2537151.html

Yet another person labouring under the delusion that maths is a compulsory subject. FG's plan is to have the same rule for Irish as applies to maths and English. i.e., compulsory in junior cycle and optional in senior cycle.

Fuinseog

SeanMadd wrote: »

Just saw this:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gf8jm-TLQPjLWIxuJak29bUDxoQA?docId=N0602721297099463953A

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.

Thoughts?

cen fath nach scriobhann tu i nGaeilge? these days there is a lot of good will towards the language, but people still refuse to speak it.

Fuinseog

An gal gréine wrote: »

Our thoughts are all on:
http://www.petitiononline.com/gaeilge/petition.html
Over 14,000 now.

Brilliant, over 15,000 today. I hope all these people are all willing to speak the language on a daily basis and not just well wishers.

Fuinseog

alejandro1977 wrote: »

You're assuming that forcing everyone to learn it will improve the level of spoken Irish. History has shown that it hasn't.

Think of the lads doing pass/foundation subjects in your school - they would have been much better off getting a better grasp of practical subjects.

For those considering going to University the situation isn't going to change - people in favour of Irish revival are really bad at strategy and picking their battles. The definition of madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

people doing foundation find school in general difficult and should really leave school at 16 and learn a trade.

just like the reunification of Ireland Gaelic revival is half assed. one government department will support it while another will curb its spread. take the notion of more english in Gaelscoileanna.

Gael

Future of Irish to be made key issue for election - Irish Times

MathsManiac

An interesting sentence in that article (linked by Gael above):
"Labour leader Eamon Gilmore says his party is committed to the retention of Irish as one of the three core compulsory subjects for the Leaving Certificate."

Since Irish is currently the only compulsory subject in Senior Cycle, I wonder if Mr Gilmore is planning on picking two more to make compulsory.

deise go deo

MathsManiac wrote: »

An interesting sentence in that article (linked by Gael above):
"Labour leader Eamon Gilmore says his party is committed to the retention of Irish as one of the three core compulsory subjects for the Leaving Certificate."

Since Irish is currently the only compulsory subject in Senior Cycle, I wonder if Mr Gilmore is planning on picking two more to make compulsory.

We all know that in every school Irish, English and Maths are required subjects.

The argument of those that want to remove Irish as a compulsory Subject is that Compulsion will invariably lead to poor performance and resentment,

As English and Maths are Compulsory in all Schools then the same should follow, should it not?

deirdremf

RJGMovie wrote: »

FG are not going far enough. The amount of money wasted on irish in this country is a shame. If it was made optional at all levels there would be more interest in it. This is one of the reasons we have so many migrants taking up the language.

If science was made optional at all levels, less people would do it too. Would the level of science in schools improve then? Would there be more interest in science then?

You know the answers, don't you?

But that isn't the point, as far as I'm concerned.
In my opinion, if more people went to Gaelscoils then the level would improve.
But the government refuses to let people make the choice of sending their kids to a Gaelscoil, by the simple expedient of refusing to recognise new Gaelscoileanna.
If everyone who wanted to send a kid to a gaelscoil had a place guaranteed, there would be little need for all other people to have to learn Irish right up to the leaving cert.
But removing the obligation at this stage without any quid pro quo will only cause greater difficulties down the road for those many people who have not been given the opportunity to go to a gaelscoil, despite their parent's wishes.

deise go deo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLFsH6zfzzo

Is é an tús.





*EDIT*

It seams that yet another FG election candidate has come out and critised Endas Irish policy.

Brendan Griffin of Kerry south has described the policy as a 'regressive step'

The Fine Gael leader’s proposal has been criticised by language and Gaeltacht community groups. A number of Fine Gael election candidates have also expressed their disquiet at the plan.

Describing the measure as “a regressive step in the development of the language”, Cllr. Brendan Griffin is the latest Fine Gael election candidate to state his concern.

Mr Kenny’s proposal has caused “great worry, upset and annoyance” to many of his constituents and would have “negative cultural and economic implications on a local and national level”, the Kerry South candidate candidate said.

Protest over FG language strategy



I also heard one of John Deasy's (FG TD in Waterford) canvasser complaining about Enda's policy on RnaG during the week, saying that there was no need of it and that they were loosing votes.

Demonique

SeanMadd wrote: »

Just saw this:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gf8jm-TLQPjLWIxuJak29bUDxoQA?docId=N0602721297099463953A

Quite frankly I'm kind of saddened by that fact. I really wish Irish was more spoken in Ireland, and although I'm not great myself, I think that everyone should be learning our native language.

Thoughts?

They'll STILL be learning Irish, they're just making it optional for the Leaving Cert

How dare Enda Kenny want to give young people a choice!

number10a

I'm wondering would a referendum be required to introduce something like this? The constitution puts Irish as the first language of the country and English as second. Also, there's a whole load of legislation requiring the two languages to be held in equal regard in all aspects of official life - doesn't happen, but anyway that's for another thread

Surely if they make the second language compulsory and the first langugage optional, this has to be unconstitutional?? Anyone know if this would be the case?

um7y1h83ge06nx

I always believe choice is good so would support it being compulsory along with Maths and English at senior cycle.

Of course Third-level courses could still make certain subject compulsory for English i.e Maths for Engineering courses, Irish for Primary Teaching.

The teaching of Irish is terribly flawed. I was far poorer at Irish than any other subject. This despite being a A student in other subjects, getting well over 500 points in the Leaving, first class honours degree, distinctions in other courses etc. etc.

Why, If I was strong academically, was I so poor at just one particular subject? In fairness I got a B in Ordinary Level Irish, but Ordinary Level is a cakewalk in comparison to Higher Level.

I think the teaching of Irish is a far bigger issue that needs to be discussed than the whole compulsory issue. I felt I wasn't learning Irish, just getting it shoved down my throat. We were forced to learn pages of stuff off by heart to use as essays in the JC and LC. How pointless is that? If I had a good command of the written and spoken language I could have made these essays up on the fly, just like I did in the French LC exam.

That said I wouldn't mind re-learning Irish again. The problem is that I would also like to study so many other areas, a MBA perhaps, Spanish, brush up on my French etc.

If there was an equivalent of "Bienvenue en France" for Irish that would be brilliant, something friendly and accessible.