Staidéar trí Ghaeilge in Ollscoileanna na hÉireann- Seachtain na Gaeilge 2021

I mbliana le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge táimid ag cur béim ar an obair a dhéantar sna hOifigí Gaeilge in ollscoileanna na tíre chun an chéad ghlúin cainteoirí Gaeilge eile a chothú agus ar an bhfáth a dteastaíonn ó na hOifigigh níos mó mic léinn a spreagadh le tabhairt faoin staidéar trí mheán na Gaeilge.

I mbliain acadúil 2019/2020, bhí níos mó ná 2,000 mac léinn sna seacht n-ollscoil ar baill iad de Chumann Ollscoileanna Éireann páirteach i gcúrsaí a raibh ábhair á dteagasc trí Ghaeilge orthu. Ní áiríonn na figiúirí seo an iliomad mac léinn idirnáisiúnta a thugann faoi mhodúil Ghaeilge mar chuid dá dtaithí staidéir thar lear.

Is teanga oifigiúil de chuid an AE í an Ghaeilge, agus dá bhrí sin tá sé níos tábhachtaí anois ná riamh go gcuirfimis céimithe ar fáil atá líofa sa Ghaeilge i ndisciplíní éagsúla, idir an gnó agus an t-aistriúchán, na meáin agus an dlí. Tá tuilleadh eolais anseo faoi chuid de na cúrsaí ollscoile atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge.

Cuirimid romhainn an teanga a choinneáil beo i ngach réimse de shochaí agus de chultúr na hÉireann, agus labhraímid le hOifigigh na Gaeilge sna hollscoileanna faoin bhfáth a dteastaíonn uathu go mbeadh níos mó mic léinn ag staidéar trí mheán na Gaeilge ag an tríú leibhéal.

This Seachtain na Gaeilge we are highlighting the work of our University Irish Language Offices in fostering the development of the next generation of Irish speakers and why they want to encourage more students to study as Gaeilge.

In the 2019/2020 academic year, over 2,000 students across the seven IUA universities studied courses in which they had subjects spoken through Irish. This figure does not include the many international students who take part in Irish language modules as part of their experience of study abroad.

Irish is an official language of the EU, so it is now more important than ever that we are producing graduates who have fluency in Irish across a range of disciplines, from business and translation to media and law. You can learn more about some of the university courses which are available through Irish here.

With a passion for keeping the language alive across all areas of Irish society and culture, we spoke to Irish Language Officers in our universities about why they want more students to study through Irish at third-level.

“Tá Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, DCU, aitheanta go hidirnáisiúnta ar chaighdeán na gclár a sholáthraítear inti trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá thart ar 1000 mac léinn i mbun na Gaeilge anseo in DCU. Tá céimeanna na Scoile, ag leibhéal na bunchéime agus na hiarchéime, deartha i dtreo is go dtreiseofar scileanna praiticiúla agus acadúla na rannpháirtithe, agus le go gcuirfear lena bhforás leanúnach acadúil agus lena gcáilíochtaí gairmiúla. Is iomaí deis ghairmiúil atá ar fáil má tá cáilíocht sa Ghaeilge agat. Tá céimithe dár gcuid ag obair san iriseoireacht, in earnáil an aistriúcháin sna hInstitiúidí Eorpacha, ag gach leibhéal oideachais, agus in earnáil an ghnó.”

Mar shampla – BA sa Gaeilge, Iriseoireacht agus Meáin Dhigiteacha

“Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge is an interdisciplinary School which is recognised internationally for the quality of programmes it delivers through the medium of Irish. We currently have approximately 1000 students undertaking Irish-language programmes here in DCU. Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed in such a way that they reinforce the practical and academic skills of the students, as well as contributing to their ongoing academic development and portfolio of professional qualifications. There is an abundance of professional opportunities for those who have a qualification in Irish. Our graduates are working in journalism, in the field of translation in the European Institutions, at every level in education, and in business.”

Course Example –  B.A. in Journalism and Media at Dublin City University

“Is údar áthais aguus dóchais dúinne atá mar chuid de phobal Gaeilge Ollscoil Mhá Nuad go bhfuil thart ar 10% denár mic léinn ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge mar chuid den chéim atá ar bun acu. Tá a gcuid grá agus dílseachta dár dteanga dhúchais agus a gcuid díongbháilteachta chun í a chur chun cinn fíor-shoiléir uathu. Aithníonn siad na féidearthachtaí atá ann anois do Ghaeilgeoirí ar ard-chaighdeán ní hamháin go náisiúnta ach go hidirnáisiúnta chomh maith i roinnt earnálacha eagsúla agus ní mór a lua nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge fágtha ar láir ná baol air i ré na teicneolaíochta ó thaobh na mac léinn de.”

Course Example -Course Example – Cúrsaí Gaeilge do mhic léinn Ollscoil Mhá Nuad

“It is a great source of joy and encouragement for the Irish-language community in Maynooth University that approximately 10% of our students are studying Irish as part of their formal degree programme. Their love and loyalty to our native language and their determination to promote Irish is very clear to see.  They recognise the opportunities available for those who speak Irish to a very high standard, not only nationally but also internationally in many different industries and it must also be mentioned that the Irish language is by no means being left behind in the modern technological age, certainly not as far as our students are concerned.”

Course Example – Irish Language for All Students Programme

“Tagann líon suntasach de mhic léinn Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh ó scoileanna Gaeltachta agus ó Ghaelscoileanna. De thairbhe sin, bíonn an Ghaeilge á labhairt go forleathan ar an phríomhchampas, agus tá an tUachtarán Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh ag déanamh a sheacht ndícheall le déanamh cinnte go dtig le pobal na hOllscoile a ghnó a dhéanamh ina rogha teanga. Is seoda i gcoróin na hOllscoile iad na hionaid Ghaeltachta atá aici i gCarna, ar an Cheathrú Rua, agus i nGaoth Dobhair. Caitheann mic léinn a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar ábhar céime acu seimeastar den tríú bliain sna ceantair sin agus socraítear seimeastar oibre dóibh fosta le heagrais a bhfuil an teanga á labhairt iontu. I measc na gclár BA in OÉ Gaillimh, tá GY122 BA (Gaeilge agus Cumarsáid) agus GY136 BA (Léann Teanga). Tá céimithe de chuid na Cumarsáide ag obair ar fud na meán in Éirinn agus éiríonn le céimithe an Léinn Teanga poist mhaithe a fháil i seirbhísí aistriúcháin in Éirinn agus san Aontas Eorpach. I measc na gclár ag leibhéal iarchéime, tá Máistreacht Ghairmiúil san Oideachas agus Máistreacht i gCleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meáin.”

Mar shampla – BA sa Gaeilge agus Léann an Aistriúcháin

“The National University of Ireland, Galway has long attracted Irish-speaking students eager to continue their education in the language. Irish is widely spoken on the main campus, and the University is working to ensure that staff and students can easily engage with the administration in the language of their choice. NUI Galway values its three Gaeltacht centres, in Carna, an Cheathrú Rua, and Gaoth Dobhair. Here, students studying Irish for the BA spend a semester of their third year, deepening their language skills. And, in that same year, a semester-long placement is arranged for them in Irish-speaking businesses and organizations. Among undergraduate courses that students can take through the medium of Irish are GY122 BA (Gaeilge agus Cumarsáid) and GY136 BA (Léann Teanga). Graduates of the Cumarsáid programme include household names in Irish media while Léann Teanga equips its graduates for very good jobs in translation services in Ireland and the European Union. Among post-graduate programmes offered through Irish are masters degrees in Education and Media.”

Course Example – B.A. in Irish and Translation Studies at NUI Galway

“Tá níos mó ná 100 mac léinn fochéime, iarchéime (MPhil) agus dochtúireachta i Roinn na Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide. Déanann suas le 50 mac léinn idirnáisiúnta in aghaidh an téarma staidéar ar chúrsaí teanga agus litríochta leis an Roinn. Tá deiseanna iontacha ann do mhic léinn a dhéanann staidéar trí Ghaeilge.

Tá borradh ar líon na mac léinn sa chéad bhliain le cúpla bliain anuas le cúrsaí nua seolta agus cinn eile ar na bacáin, rud a chuireann beocht nua leis an Roinn. Is í seo an chéad bhliain ina bhfuil mic léinn in ann an Ghaeilge a roghnú mar chuid den chúrsa i Léann na hEorpa. An bhliain seo chugainn (2022), táimid ag súil le fáilte a chur roimh ábhar múinteoirí leis an B.Oid. le Gaeilge. Tá siad seo sa bhreis ar na cúrsaí atá againn cheana: an chomhchéim onóracha (Gaeilge agus ábhar eile), Ríomhaireacht le Gaeilge, agus céim aononórach sa Luath- agus Nua-Ghaeilge.”

Mar shampla –  BA sa Luath agus Nua-Ghaeilge

“There are over 100 undergraduate, postgraduate (MPhil) and PhD students in Trinity’s Department of Irish. Up to 50 international students per term undertake Irish language and literature courses with the Department. There are amazing opportunities for students who study through Irish.

First year numbers have been increasing in recent years with the offering of new courses and more to come. This gives a new energy to the Department. This year marks the first year in which students can choose Irish as part of their European Studies course. In 2022, the Department looks forward to welcoming trainee teachers undertaking the Baitsiléir san Oideachas Trí Mheán na Gaeilge (Bachelor of Education through Irish – primary teaching). These are in addition to our current courses: Joint Honours degree (Irish and another subject), Computing with Irish and Single Honours Degree in Early and Modern Irish.”

Course Example – B.A. in Early and Modern Irish at Trinity College Dublin

Áine Ní Shúilleabháin, 
Irish Language Officer, Secretary’s Office, Trinity College Dublin

“Tá líon an-ard mac léinn ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge ag Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh ar chláracha éagsúla léinn, ina measc, an BA traidisiúnta, Tráchtáil agus Gaeilge, Dlí agus Gaeilge, Oideachas, Corpoideachas, Teangacha Domhanda, agus a thuilleadh ag leibhéal iarchéime. Tuigeann ár gcuid mac léinn go rímhaith go dtabharfaidh an Ghaeilge buntáiste ar leith dóibh ina saol gairmiúil. Bímidne, léachtóirí, ar ár ndícheall ag iarraidh luach na teanga agus an chultúir a chur ar a súile dóibh. Is cuid de phobal na Gaeilge iad ár gcuid mac léinn, pobal atá bríomhar in Éirinn agus thar lear, agus níl teora leis an bpobal sin.”

Mar shampla – MA sa Ghaeilge agus i nDlí na hEorpa

“There is a huge cohort of students studying Irish at UCC across a variety of programmes: the traditional BA, Commerce with Irish, Law and Irish, Education, Sports Science, World Languages, and more at postgraduate level. Our students know that a good command of Irish will give them a distinct advantage in the job market. As lecturers, we strive to convey not only the intrinsic value of the language and culture, but also the potential in belonging to the Irish-language community, both in Ireland and abroad.”

Course Example – MA sa Ghaeilge agus i nDlí na hEorpa

“Tá méadú as cuimse tagtha ar fhéidearthachtaí fostaíochta agus saoil dóibh siúd a dhéanann staidéar ar an nGaeilge anois i UCD. Leanann líon áirithe mac léinn an mhúinteoireacht agus cúrsaí taighde i gcónaí agus cuidíonn cúrsaí nua spreagúla ar nós Dlí le Gaeilge, Gaeilge le hOideachas agus conairí nua éagsúla le léamha nua a thabhairt ar an Ghaeilge mar ábhar spéisiúil le fréamhacha daingne cultúrtha, litríochta agus teanga. Tá líon ollmhór mac léinn dulta tríd anois ag leibhéal bunchéime agus iarchéime atá ag obair agus ag taisteal ar fud an domhain le scoláireachtaí Fulbright (SAM) agus ICUF (Ceanada) chun Gaeilge a mhúineadh. Leathnaíonn gréasán na Gaeilge chomh fada leis an tSín, an Astráil agus Nua Shéalainn agus naisc á gcothú i gcónaí chun an domhan a leathnú amach – agus a thabhairt go hÉirinn!

Tá mic léinn Nua-Ghaeilge UCD ag obair i gCoimisiún na hEorpa mar aistritheoirí, mar dhlÍtheangeolaithe, mar chóipeagarthóirí agus mar riarthóirí sinsearacha agus postanna dá leithéid á ndéanamh acu in Éirinn fosta in institiúidí Stáit, in eagraíochtaí nua Gaeilge agus i gcomhlachtaí príobháideacha mar shampla. Osclaíonn an Ghaeilge fuinneog ar an saol mór bíodh gur in Éirinn nó ag leibhéal domhanda atá sé agus tá sé ar na tréimhsí is bisiúla riamh le bheith ag plé leis an disciplín agus leis an teanga shaibhir seo – saibhreas teanga, cultúir agus taithí saoil i gcomhluadar ilghnéitheach fuinniúil den scoth na gnéithe is mó a bhaineann le staidéar na Gaeilge inniu.”

Mar shampla – BA sa Luath agus Nua-Ghaeilge

“Employment and life experience have reached new levels for those who now study Irish at UCD. Students continue to follow teaching careers and research with new innovative courses combining Irish and Education, Law with Irish and dynamic pathway programmes bringing new insights to the possibilities for quality diverse teaching in language literature and culture. Many students have graduated at undergraduate and postgraduate level who are travelling all over the world with Fulbright (US) and ICUF(Canada) scholarships with students even teaching Irish as far off as Beijing, Australia and New Zealand. New connections and collaborations are continually in progress with a global interest in Irish language and Irish studies which open the world to our students while bringing the world to UCD also with many international students now learning Irish.

Our students in UCD are also working in the European Commission and in Ireland as translators, copy-editors, lawyer-linguists and senior administrators while also taking up senior positions in government, Irish language state organisations and in private industry. Irish opens a window to the greater world be that in Ireland or globally and it is one of the most progressive and enriching times to study the discipline and the language- a wealth of culture, language and exciting energetic life opportunities sum up the experience of studying Irish today.”

Course Example – BCL in Irish and Law at University College Dublin

“Tá 500-600 mac léinn ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge faoi láthair, mic léinn idirnáisiúnta san áireamh. Fás as cuimse é seo a tharla le tuairim is cúig bliana anuas. Beidh MA múinte sa Ghaeilge á tairiscint againn den chéad uair i Mí Mheán Fómhair 2021.”

Mar shampla – Léann na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh

“We currently have between 500 and 600 students studying Irish, including international students. This figure has increased exponentially over the past 5 years or so. We will also be offering a taught MA in Irish for the first time from September 2021.”

Course Example – Irish Language and Literature, University of Limerick