Where to start?

Kirby92

Had the idea the last day that I'd like to go back to learning some more Irish. I done higher level 3 years ago for the LC and got a C, but never enjoyed the subject because of all the poems, stories, comprehensions and the pressure of exams.

I'd have an ok level of speaking Irish, and this is what I really want to improve as I don't think I'll ever need to write in Irish again. I think I could get my point across in a conversation eventually but the grammar would be quite poor.

If anyone has any advice as to where to start re-learning the language, how to improve grammar and verbs, it would be appreciated

Seanchai

Kirby92 wrote: »

Had the idea the last day that I'd like to go back to learning some more Irish. I done higher level 3 years ago for the LC and got a C, but never enjoyed the subject because of all the poems, stories, comprehensions and the pressure of exams.

I'd have an ok level of speaking Irish, and this is what I really want to improve as I don't think I'll ever need to write in Irish again. I think I could get my point across in a conversation eventually but the grammar would be quite poor.

If anyone has any advice as to where to start re-learning the language, how to improve grammar and verbs, it would be appreciated

How about going along to one of the meetup conversation Irish groups, like Gaeilge go deo? The standard is very broad, with some people being particularly weak but continuing to attend and gaining confidence. I don't think you'll feel in any way intimidated.

For me I needed the structure of doing a course and immersing myself in grammar. That's where courses such as those run by Gaelcultúr come in handy. I also find there are some superb grammar books on the market now, meaning you can do a huge amount of learning yourself without any assistance.

PS: If you're to buy three things to start, I'd buy Leon Mac Aogáin's glance card (which you probably had at school but never learnt), Cruinnscríobh na Gaeilge by Ciarán Mac Murchaidh which can be bought here, and Éamonn Ó Dónaill's QuickGuide Irish Grammar .

PPS: The solutions to Máiréad Ní Ghráda's Progress in Irish are online nowadays, so if you have a copy lying around the house you could find help from this site.

deirdremf

Kirby92 wrote: »

Had the idea the last day that I'd like to go back to learning some more Irish. I done higher level 3 years ago for the LC and got a C, but never enjoyed the subject because of all the poems, stories, comprehensions and the pressure of exams.

I'd have an ok level of speaking Irish, and this is what I really want to improve as I don't think I'll ever need to write in Irish again. I think I could get my point across in a conversation eventually but the grammar would be quite poor.

If anyone has any advice as to where to start re-learning the language, how to improve grammar and verbs, it would be appreciated

There is no good, easy-to-use course out there for the learner, but Seanchaí's suggestion about joining a conversation group is a good one. The Glance Card s/he mentions is excellent for reference purposes.

But if you really want to learn Irish, the best course available for the last 35 years is Learning Irish by Mícheál Ó Siadhail.
That said, you need to be able to sit down and study off your own bat to use it - it's not for the dilettante!
Extra drill-type exercises to go with the book were developed by Nancy Stenson and are available on the Internet.
If you work your way through the book, and do the accompanying listening exercises, I can guarantee that your Irish will improve no end, and you will reach a really good level within a year or so.

pog it

OP, do a search on the forum, you will find lots of info. This gets asked a lot!