The spoken Irish of sixth-class pupils in Irish immersion schools

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the acquisition of Irish by sixth-class pupils in all-Irish primary schools, with a particular focus on the features of their spoken Irish. Although there is a long historical precedent for Irish-medium education, the instructional strategies employed are similar to those in immersion settings throughout the world that seek to maximise contact with the second language (L2). Chapter 1 presents a brief overview of the current state of the Irish language and its historical role in the education system since the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922. While early State policies in relation to Irish-medium education were successful in many respects, the general public resented its compulsory nature and the number of Irish-medium schools declined in the 1950’s and 1960's. The growth of a 'bottom-up' movement during the 1970's that led to the establishment of new all-Irish schools is described and the critical features of these schools are delineated. The role of these schools in the revitalisation of Irish is also explored.