Daniel Bull (left) is a fourth-year student from Berwick, Nova Scotia who took the course and was chosen to go to Ireland in 2011. He says that the program was a great experience and that he learned a great deal about the Irish culture and language.

“Living the Language” -- IRSH 2173/2183 Language Courses and Exchange Opportunity Part of the STU/Irish Canada University Foundation Program
By: Cedric Noel, BA'13
Published: Saturday, Aug 25, 2012

St. Thomas University is again partnering with the Irish Canada University Foundation to offer an introduction to the Irish language course that includes the opportunity for a fully-funded exchange to Ireland.

The course is for students with an interest in learning languages and Irish Studies. It focuses on writing, listening and speaking Irish, as well as the socio-linguistic elements of the Irish language or An Ghaeilge as it is known. Students will also study how the Irish language has maintained its position as a living language in a mostly Anglophone contemporary Ireland.

St. Thomas University’s resident Irish Canada University Foundation Scholar for 2012-13 is Professor Seán Mac Risteaird from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Irish language and Media Studies and a Certificate in Language Teaching from the National University of Ireland. He has taught at several institutions, including NUI Maynooth and St. Patrick’s College.

Risteaird is undertaking doctoral research -- as a John and Pat Hume Scholar -- in Irish language literature. He is particularly interested in literary theory, the short story genre and language learning.

As part of the program with the Irish Canada University Foundation, Canadian students taking the course are eligible to apply for a month-long stay in summer 2013 in an Irish-language district or An Ghaeltacht. The trip is funded by ICUF and one student from each of the seven host universities, including St. Thomas University, are encouraged to apply.

The program is also supported by the New Brunswick Irish Cultural Association.

An Immersion in the Irish Community

Daniel Bull is a fourth-year student from Berwick, Nova Scotia who took the course and was chosen to go to Ireland in 2011. He says that the program was a great experience and that he learned a great deal about the Irish culture and language.

“The program itself was very rich because you spend a lot of time everyday studying the language but then you’re really living in the language. It’s really great because you’re staying in one of the few places in the country where Irish is still the main language and they are careful about preserving it and keeping traditions going,” he said.

The course -- IRSH 2173 -- is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 am in MMH 102. The second term continuation course, IRSH 2183, is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1:30 PM. No previous knowledge of Irish is required.

For further information, please contact Professor Seán Mac Risteaird at sean.macristeaird@gmail.com. For more information on the Irish Canada University Foundation, please see www.icuf.ie.