Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga outside of the Gaeltacht
Ag cuidiú le páistí agus déagóirí scoile a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú tríd an gCóras Oideachais
At the beginning of 2023, the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Patrick O’Donovan T.D. announced that he had approved a fund worth €508,640 over a period of two years (2023/2024 – 2024/2025) so that Irish medium schools in Gaeltacht Service Towns and Líonra Gaeilge towns that have been identified under the language planning process will be able to avail of a language assistant (Cúntóir Teanga) as part of the language planning process.
Up to 27 schools that operate through Irish in the seven Gaeltacht Service Towns and in the three Líonraí Gaeilge identified under the language planning process will be able to benefit from this valuable scheme. It is estimated that approximately 25 Cúntóirí Teanga could be employed under the scheme when it is in full swing. The purpose of the scheme is to support schools in providing additional opportunities for enrichment and language acquisition to the pupils of these schools.
Cúntóir Teanga’s Role
- For the most part, it is intended that the Cúntóir Teanga will work hand in hand with the class teacher (primary schools) or the subject teacher (post-primary schools), and with the support teacher for Irish as appropriate to support with the language goals and learning outcomes to be achieved.
- In primary schools, the Cúntóir Teanga should be able to provide additional support to the pupils/scholars who have been identified under the guidance of the principal, the class teacher and in consultation with the support teacher for Irish
- The Cúntóir Teanga could support the class teacher/content teacher in providing opportunities for learners on a school-wide basis through drama, lúibíní, debates, storytelling, poetry and through the reinforcement of native arts in general.
- The Cúntóir Teanga plays an important role in supporting the use of Irish in the school and supporting the enrichment of communication skills and vocabulary development of both native speakers and learners through storytelling, rhymes, idioms, small dramas and language games to play
- The Cúntóir Teanga also plays an important role:
- – support students who speak little Irish in collaboration with the class teacher
– agree ways with the class teacher to report on the progress of the pupils/scholars or on any specific language needs that are noted
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME
This scheme is approved in the following schools located in areas where there is a written and approved language plan in Gaeltacht Service Towns or Líonra Gaeilge:
Baile Locha Riach | Loughrea (Líonra Gaeilge)
- Gaelscoil Riabhach
Caisleán an Bharraigh | Castlebar (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil Raifteirí
Cathair na Gaillimhe | Galway City (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Scoil Iognáid
- Gaelscoil Dara
- Scoil Fhursa
Cathair Saidhbhín | Cahersiveen (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Coláiste na Sceilge
Cluain Dolcáin | Clondalkin (Líonra Gaeilge)
- Gaelscoil na Camóige
- Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin
- Coláiste Chilliain
Inis | Ennis (Líonra Gaeilge)
- Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg
- Gaelcholáiste an Chláir
Dún Gharbháin | Dungarvan (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Scoil Gharbháin
Leitir Ceanainn | Letterkenny (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin
- Coláiste Áiligh
Trá Lí | Tralee (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil Mhic Easmuinn
- Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí
LIST OF POSSIBLE SCHOOLS
There are possibilities for this scheme to be extended in the following schools but a language plan has been written and approved in the following Gaeltacht Service Towns:
An Uaimh | Navan (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil an Teaghlach Naofa
Cathair Chorcaí | Cork City (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin
- Gaelscoil Uí Riada
- Scoil an Athair Tadhg Ó Murchú
- Gaelscoil Mhachan
- Gaelscoil Peig Sayers
- Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn
- Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil
- Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin
- Coláiste an Phiarsaigh
- Gaelcholáiste Mhuire
- Coláiste Daibhéid
Baile Dhún na nGall | Donegal Town (Gaeltacht Service Town)
- Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí
Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga (outside the Gaeltacht) is run by Glór na nGael on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media, as a specific measure from the Action Plan 2018 – 2022 for the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
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