Analysis: here are some psychological concepts which can be adopted to help you improve your cúpla focal
There are many people who would like to learn more Irish but don't know how to go about it. Thankfully, psychology research can help to solve this problem.
One of the psychological concepts that is most useful to Irish language learners is what is called 'deliberate practice’. Deliberate practice is a type of practice that is focused and carefully structured, and it is proven to be an excellent way to learn any skill. If you want to improve your Irish, deliberate practice will enable you to do so in a way that is effective and enjoyable.
Identify your language goals
The first principle of deliberate practice is to identify your learning goals. Do you want to learn just enough Irish to be able to have a basic conversation? Or do you dream of reading the notoriously difficult novels of Máirtín Ó Cadhain?
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O'Connor Show, broadcaster Ray Cuddihy on the current Irish language revival
Having a clear idea of your goals will allow you to identify the specific skills you need to develop to achieve those goals. For instance, to have a conversation in Irish you must know enough grammar and vocabulary to form sentences, but you also need the ability to pronounce words correctly and the listening skills to understand the person you’re talking to. Keeping your learning goals in mind will ensure that you don’t neglect any of the skills you require.
Choose language materials that interest you
The second key element that distinguishes deliberate practice from other ways of learning is that it is focused and intentional. We learn more when we are focused on what we are doing than when we are distracted or bored.
The best way to maintain focus when learning Irish is to choose language materials that interest you. There is little point in reading articles in Irish about economics if economics bores you; you would be better to choose a topic that you love and read about that.
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From RTÉ 2fm's Louise McSharry Show, broadcaster Ola Majekodunmi on learning Irish as an adult and the best way to do it
As well as using materials created for learners, linguists recommend using real-life resources such as podcasts, articles and TV shows. These ‘authentic’ materials will enable you to see how Irish is truly spoken and written in daily life. Many people also find this type of resource more enjoyable than content created specifically for learners.
Get out of your comfort zone
One of the things that puts people off learning Irish is the fear of making mistakes. It can be embarrassing to get words wrong or to misunderstand what someone else is saying. However, if you never put yourself in a position to make mistakes and learn from them, your skills will plateau.
The best learners are those who seek out new challenges which allow them to practise skills that they haven’t yet mastered. A good example of this would be trying to talk about new topics in Irish, rather than sticking to ones you can already talk about easily. You will probably make more mistakes by doing this, but in the long run you will learn much more by getting out of your comfort zone.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, why are some of us shy about using our cúpla focal?
Learn from people who have better Irish than you
A highly effective way to learn any skill is to have an expert show you how it’s done. In the case of learning Irish, this means listening and talking to fluent speakers. Generations of Irish learners have spent time in Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions for this very reason. This type of immersion experience is most beneficial to those who already have a good grasp of the basics and want to consolidate their skills.
Going to the Gaeltacht isn’t the only way to learn from fluent speakers. In recent years, the trend of the Pop-Up Gaeltacht (a social event for Irish speakers, often held in a pub) has spread throughout Ireland and even abroad to countries such as Canada, the United States and Belgium. Another great option is to attend an Irish conversation circle, known as a ‘ciorcal comhrá’, either in person or online. Whichever option you choose, listening and talking to fluent speakers will be of great benefit to your spoken Irish.
Get feedback and listen to it
Simply spending time conversing with fluent speakers will boost your Irish skills. However, research on deliberate practice has shown that the best way to learn from experts is to get them to give you feedback on your abilities. This will enable you to identify mistakes you are currently making and ways to fix those mistakes. If you never receive feedback on your Irish skills, you may continue to make the same mistakes again and again.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's The Business, how to incorporate the cúpla focai into life at the office with the Gael Gals' Alswyn Ní Aonghusa Ní Dhúill agus Beo, ar Éigean's Siún Ní Dhuinn
The best way to get this kind of personalised feedback is to attend classes, either with an Irish-language organisation (such as Gaelchultúr or Conradh na Gaeilge) or else with a private tutor. However, even in informal situations you can solicit feedback from fluent speakers by asking them to correct your pronunciation and grammar.
Build on what you know already
A final useful tip from deliberate practice research is to always build on the skills you have already. If you attended school in Ireland, you probably have some Irish, and perhaps know more than you realise. Start by using whatever Irish you can remember, and look up new words and phrases as you encounter gaps in your knowledge. Before long you will be well on your way to achieving your Irish language goals.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
