Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send my child to an Irish-medium school even though I don’t speak any Irish?
The majority of parents who decide to send their children to Irish-medium schools don’t speak Irish. It is important to remember however, that all parents, regardless of what type of school their child attends, need to make a commitment to support their child’s learning. Often parents decide to learn the language once their child has been enrolled at an Irish-medium school.
Will I be able to help with homework?
We recognise the importance of engaging parents in all aspects of their child’s learning, including homework. Teachers are aware that many of the parents may not speak Irish and can provide additional homework support, translations etc. when necessary. We also offer after school homework clubs for the different age groups.
How will learning everything through Irish affect my child’s English language development?
Many parents are initially fearful that Irish-medium education may have a negative impact on their child’s English language development. Research has shown however that immersion education may actually enhance English language development. A recent review of the research on immersion programs from 1972 to 2001 concludes that "the effect of learning a second language on first-language skills has been positive in all studies done” (Bournot-Trites and Tellowitz 2002).
How qualified are the staff in Irish-medium schools?
The qualifications required to work in Irish-medium schools are the same as those required in other schools. Teachers in Irish-medium primary schools must possess the same qualifications as their counterparts in other schools. Teaching staff at all levels are also required to have a sufficiently high level of written and spoken Irish.
Does this type of education occur anywhere else?
It is estimated that between 60 and 75 percent of the world’s population is bilingual, and bilingual education is a common educational approach used throughout the world in countries such as Canada, Australia, Finland, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, and Scotland.