A Galway based design agency recently launched the latest version of the award winning Abairleat e-learning website.
Block 5 Design has continued its affiliation with Coláiste Lurgan and comedian Des Bishop to produce the initiative which aims to revolutionise the traditional approach to teaching Irish.
Students can use the website to listen to native Irish speakers, record their own material in Irish and undertake self-correcting exercises.
Teachers can assess students’ work on the website and give spoken feedback online or written feedback by email.
Parents can become part of the process also affording them a unique opportunity to nurture their child’s love of the Irish language.
Speaking at the launch of the website education minister Batt O’Keeffe said it encourages independent learning.
“It allows students to practice their oral Irish at home and in the classroom and it gives teachers the opportunity to assess them online.”
Des Bishop, whose award-winning documentary In The Name Of The Fáda was based on his year learning Irish in the Connemara Gaeltacht, said he wanted to continue to work with Minister O’Keeffe to get more young people speaking Irish.
“Abair Leat is an important step in our ongoing efforts to make the learning and teaching of Irish more enjoyable.”
To access the website log onto www.abairleat.com
