Free English language classes are being provided in the city as part of a voluntary initiative, the first of its kind in Galway.
The project, which offers conversational English classes to adult learners got under way at Claddagh primary school earlier this week.
Fáilte Isteach is a nationwide community initiative whereby local volunteers, mostly older members of the community, welcome new migrants through conversational English classes.
It uses the skills, talents and expertise of volunteers and harnesses their desire to contribute positively to society.
“This is the first Fáilte Isteach centre in Galway and there has been great interest in this programme locally with almost 20 volunteers registered already,” says Annie Asgard, a teacher at the school who has volunteered to act as local Fáilte Isteach co-ordinator.
“These free classes will be available to anyone who wishes to improve their English language skills. We hope this programme will encourage integration between local adults and members of the migrant communities in Galway.”
The free classes, which are held on Monday evenings at Claddagh school hall from 7pm to 9pm, are available to people wishing to improve their English language skills.
The idea for Fáilte Isteach originally came about when members of the Third Age Foundation in Summerhill, Co Meath, identified a need for teaching English language to new members of the community.
Members of the foundation felt they had the resources in their senior citizens volunteers at the Third Age Centre to deliver such a programme as well as the enthusiasm and commitment to ensure it was successful. They also saw the programme as an effective and practical means of helping and welcoming new migrants to the local community.
The project quickly grew beyond the locality and now provides classes at more than 35 locations nationwide - the Claddagh school being the most recent of these.
For further information email [email protected] or call to the school on Monday at 7pm for the next weekly lesson.
