The Fulbright Commission in Ireland has launched Irish Language Summer Study Awards, enabling US citizens, currently studying the Irish language in the United States, to participate in Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht in Ireland this Summer. The Awards are supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Affairs and the National Lottery.
US citizens living in the US who are currently enrolled in Irish language courses in the US and have completed at least one semester of tuition are eligible to apply. Successful candidates will receive a monetary award (maximum value €5,000) to cover travel, tuition, accommodation and meal costs to participate in the course of their choice.
The deadline for applicants is 29th April 2011. For further information see www.fulbright.ie.
In addition, the Fulbright Commission, together with the University of Notre Dame, jointly announced the launch of ‘Inter-changes: Conference on Learning and Teaching the Irish Language’. This conference will bring together those teaching the Irish language in the US to explore current practice, future possibilities and a report on the current state of play regarding Irish language learning in the US.
Commenting on the awards, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish language, Dinny McGinley T.D. said: “I am delighted that my Department is providing funding to the Fulbright Commission to support this important work programme. The number of universities worldwide that are providing Irish language courses, with funding from my Department, is a clear indicator, not only of academic interest in Irish as one of the world’s oldest vernacular languages, but also of increased opportunities for Irish speakers globally. The Irish language is a hugely valuable resource, particularly with regard to the development of cultural tourism in Ireland. Living in a Gaeltacht area myself, I am always delighted to see at first hand students from all over the world coming to the Gaeltacht to continue their studies and speaking our native language. Accordingly, I warmly welcome the announcement of these awards.”
Speaking about the awards, Ms Colleen Dube, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission said: “Our recent research has identified 80 institutions teaching Irish in the United States.
Since 2006 the Fulbright Commission has been actively involved in promoting the Irish language in the US through our FLTA programme where we send recently qualified teachers and fluent Irish speakers to act as Teaching Assistants in US universities.
“Although many US students claim Irish heritage as the reason for studying Irish, there are plenty of others who are interested simply because they are interested in Ireland or want to study an ancient language. The Irish Language Study Awards will afford US students with a love of the language, who may not have the chance otherwise, the opportunity to be immersed in the Irish language and culture. We would hope successful candidates would then share their experience with others on their return to the US.”
Ms Colleen Dube continued: “The conference is open to everyone involved in teaching Irish in the US and is being held with a view to informing future provision and promotion of the Irish language at third level as identified in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
“Findings of a report we commissioned into Irish Language Teaching & Learning in the US, being undertaken by the Language Centre at National University of Ireland Maynooth, will be officially presented at the conference.
“The event will explore current practice and future possibilities in terms of Irish language teaching, testing, resources and collaborations,” Ms. Dube concluded.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.celticnurse1973 | Mar 27, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT
I don't think anyone should have to pay another's way to learn a laguage. But to mamaginnty, here in the US, we do pay, we have to have english as a second language classes in most schools for spanish speaking students, companies have to pay extra for information to be printed in english and spanish. We also foot the bill if spanish speaking patients need a translator, the list is endless.
mamaginnty | Mar 24, 2011, 05:29 PM EDT
These grants are not for everyone who might want to learn a few words of our language, these students would be furthering their education on irish. I can see Expatricks point, about the dropping of compulsory irish in our schools. It should not be dropped, but eased during exams. We are going through tough times, and the grants should come later. I can see NO bigotry in his comment. I see it in your comment Goergie, in the way you say...poles pakis etc. Lots of nationalities in your country, do they pay to learn english ?
antoman | Mar 24, 2011, 12:45 PM EDT
Here's five thousand euro's.Get drunk for the next two weeks.Only know this.I'll be back in a fortnight to check that you've learned Irish.
beloverelf | Mar 24, 2011, 12:22 PM EDT
I am an American with no Irish blood, I visited Ireland and would love to learn all I can about the country, the History and the Language, but I think I should pay my own way. I also think it should be mandatory to teach the Irish language in Irish schools, that should never be taken away.
feliciamaisey | Mar 24, 2011, 12:16 PM EDT
As one who has taken Irish language course for three semesters, along with visiting and studying at nauseum about my ancestry, this is an opportunity that exceeds any opportunity offeredstateside: JessNiLeacai, while I understand your position, it seems that this is not a freebee, but rather an opportunity to advance knowledge and culture on a world's scale, and the fact that it is available in Irish schools within the country and not elsewhere is indicative of the need for programs like this .
JessNiLeacai | Mar 24, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT
As much as I am for the learning of the Irish language and am a speaker myself, I would have to agree that the Irish people should not have to foot the bill for others to learn the language. Irish is to be taken from the curriculum in Irish schools now and yet we are expected to pay for people to holiday and learn Irish at leisure? This is a joke
seamusmac | Mar 24, 2011, 04:04 AM EDT
I believe that a personal ethnic identity is important. I feel fortunate, privileged and proud to know who my people were and where I come from, as anyone from any culture should. I feel I have a footing here on earth, an origin and a history, a belonging. Language is the distinguishing feature of a culture. When a language dies the culture is soon to follow. I also believe that keeping the Irish language alive should be a priority of the Irish people and the Irish government. I say this as a person who knows how to speak very little of my language of origin. I'm a yank, but I'm going to find out how I can contribute money to this program.
deborah222002 | Mar 24, 2011, 01:49 AM EDT
I would like to study Irish Gaelic in Ireland!
expatrick | Mar 23, 2011, 05:38 PM EDT
@georgedillon- I've got nothing against people learning another language.Be it Irish,Chinese or even Swahili.But why is it being paid for by the Irish Taxpayer. If Obama loves his heritage so much why cant pay for it.Why are citizens from the world super power taking subsidies from what has been left a third world country, financially, because of the problems that started with sub-prime greed in the U.S. As for all the foreigners learning English in Ireland. The Irish People voted YES to enlargement of the EU,effectively opening the door to anyone who wanted to come.however I agree they should pay for themselves. better still don't allow them in if they cant speak the language.
antoman | Mar 23, 2011, 04:35 PM EDT
@georgyboy-I'll reply.You may be right.After having being taught Irish over 12 years or more that speaking it would be like breathing.I recall being in West Cork years ago doing deliveries and I stopped at a small shop to ask for directions.I kinda interrupted two women that were talking as gaeilge by saying escuse me can you tell me where such and such is.They stopped talking and one of them,the one with the steely eye.Asked me in english where I was from.I said Cork city.At that moment she looked at me and sucked 8 years of my life out of me.With a look.She proceeded(after the look) to tell me the directions.
GeorgeDillon | Mar 23, 2011, 03:11 PM EDT
expartick--You're just an empty bigot. People have a right to study Irish. I've taught the language here in US, why shouldn't those interested get a chance to go live a while in the Gaeltacht? It won't be there in 20 years. You don't mention the hundreds of millions that the Irish government spends on teaching English to Russians, Arabs, Poles, Pakis etc. Why don't those people pay for their own English classes?
GeorgeDillon | Mar 23, 2011, 03:09 PM EDT
antoman --'Pay me five thousand euro's and I'll learn Chinese'. I doubt it. You had at least 12 years to learn Irish and you can't rub two words together in that language. (I'm assuming that you finished high school, maybe I shouldn't).
expatrick | Mar 23, 2011, 01:44 PM EDT
Great idea. Take money from the Irish taxpayer to fund holidays For wannabe Paddies. and all in the week they consider dropping compulsory Irish language in Irish schools.
antoman | Mar 23, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT
Pay me five thousand euro's and I'll learn Chinese.