CruinnTeo offers an intensive three-week Leaving Cert Irish course (June 4 to 21, 2024 ) for students entering fifth year or sixth year in September 2024. Daily classes will be delivered at the University of Galway from 10am to 1pm to a maximum of two class groups, and early reservation is advised.
Centrally delivered at the University of Galway, last June’s CruinnTeo course attracted students not only from the city schools, but also from around the county including Oughterard, Kinvara, Mountbellew and Headford. The location is accessible by public transport - buses and trains. The daily classes finish at 1pm meaning that students were also able to keep their summer jobs.
“Delighted to have had the opportunity to access this course, especially with the grammar emphasis, when going to the Gaeltacht is not an option,” said the parent on one of this year's students.
The course focuses on two main elements of the Leaving Certificate Irish examination, namely the Oral Irish and the creative writing or ‘the aiste’. The creative writing section aims to develop vocabulary, accuracy and exactness of language.
“I found the course to be very beneficial to my Irish," said one of the students on the 2023 course. "We focused on oral work and grammar and constructing sentences in Irish. I gained a real understanding of the language and its rules. Everyone in the class progressed so much throughout the course.”
A key aim of CruinnTeo courses is to enhance students’ understanding and knowledge of the fundamental building blocks of the language. On completion of the course, students’ improved skills and increased confidence will help them construct their own answers and not be overly reliant on rote learning.
“The teacher was excellent and gave us many useful terms and phrases that we can use in our essays and in the oral," another 2023 student said. "I highly recommend this course.”
A comprehensive, detailed course handbook, authored by Gráinne Keleghan, is provided to all students. With a view to further develop the lessons of the day, pupils on the CruinnTeo course are advised to complete short homework assignments throughout the duration of the course. For additional information, reservations and payments see www.cruinnteo.com
