US IRISH LANGUAGE TUTORS WOULD VALUE MORE CONTACT WITH NATIVE SPEAKERS AND OTHER TEACHERS

Thursday, 22^nd September – “A genuine economic opportunity has arisen for Irish language educators and publishers to create learning materials for Irish language learners and teachers in the US that incorporate a greater degree of contact with native or fluent speakers of Irish.  This is a very timely report as the Irish Government prepares for October’s Global Diaspora Forum,” said the Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Dinny McGinley T.D.

Speaking at the launch of Inter-changes: Irish Language Learning & Teaching in the US Research and Conference Report, commissioned by the Ireland–United States [Fulbright] Commission for Educational Exchange, Minister McGinley noted “The report also highlights a sense of isolation on the part of Irish language teachers in the US, something which could be addressed by the formation of a teachers’ association and sharing of resources.”

September - The Fulbright Commission in Ireland has launched its Awards for 2012-2013.  These scholarship grants provide Irish and EU students, scholars and professionals with the opportunity to study, lecture and research at top universities and institutions in the US.

Visit www.fulbright.ie for further information and to apply.

The following awards are available:

1. Fulbright Student Awards
2. Fulbright Scholar & Professional Awards
3. Fulbright Irish Language Scholar Award
4. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Awards (FLTA)
   

Deadline for applicants is Friday 18^th November at midday.

June 2011 - Fulbright Awards valued at €285,000 ($420,000) were officially announced at an event hosted by the Deputy Chief of Mission from the US Embassy in Ireland Mr. John Hennessey-Niland. The awards are jointly funded by the Irish and US governments under the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange.

The successful recipients have been accepted at leading institutions including Harvard, Berkeley, Cornell, Rice, Columbia and NYU. Out of the 25 scholarship awards, 8 are for research and study in the areas of science, technology, environment and health. This year 6 Irish awardees will spend time teaching the language and lecturing in Irish culture as Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants.  The remaining 10 recipients will conduct study and research in the areas of law, music, writing, politics and other humanities and social science disciplines.

The U.S. recipients of Fulbright scholarships to Ireland were also announced.

July 2011 – 20 US citizens were awarded grants for the Irish Language Summer Study Awards from the Ireland - United States [Fulbright] Commission for Educational Exchange. These awards enabled US citizens, currently studying Irish in the United States, to participate in Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht over the summer. The Awards were supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Affairs and the National Lottery.

The 20 successful awardees attended the following courses:

• Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, NUI Galway, Carraroe, Galway
• Oideas Gael, Glencolmcille, Donegal
• Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, Ballyferriter, Kerry
• FEICIM, Inis Oírr, Galway

Successful candidates received a monetary award towards covering travel to and from Ireland and tuition in the course of their choice.