Taking up a language is an exciting, challenging resolution to take up for the new year. If you're determined to learn Gaeilge, here are some helpful tips to make the language part of your life.
Tús maith, leath na hoibre.
1.DuoLingo is where lots of people start to take the leap into learning. It's an app which helps teach languages through games and challenges. It's never going to make you completely líofa, but it's a great way to get going with new words.
Tá acmhainní digiteacha den scoth ann anois leis an nGaeilge atá agat a fheabhsú, ó fhoclóirí ar líne go hábhar Gaeilge sna mórnuachtáin na tíre, is fiú taighde a dhéanamh ar a bhfuil ann don fhoghlaimeoir comhaimseartha.
Beatha teanga í a labhairt.
Gathering new terms is all well and good but as we know, Gaeilge is a living breathing language and therefore, you'll need to get used to the sounds of the language too, if you want to become a speaker. Ní fiú an teanga a bheith agat murar féidir leat í a úsáid agus is mór an tacaíocht iad cláracha teilifise, raidió agus podchraoltaí le do chumas sa teanga a neartú.
There are tons of tv shows at your fingertips, on the RTÉ Player, RTÉ and TG4 have a huge amount to choose from, from TG4's long running soap Ros na Rún, to RTÉ's inspirational Imelda May-Amhráin na nGael, which follows the singer learning Irish through song.
Cuir aithne ar na Gaeltachtaí
The Gaeltacht regions of Ireland are often places people have known in their teenage years and haven't revisited since. If you're the type of learner who needs a deadline, booking a holiday in a Gaeltacht region for this summer could give you the perfect timeline.
Is áiteanna speisialta iad na Gaeltachtaí atá faoi bhrú mór sa lá atá inniu leis an teanga a chaomhnú iontu agus is fiú tacú leo oiread agus is féidir inn.
Aimsigh do threibh
Of course, where most people stumble is in their confidence to speak the Irish they have, however little they think they have. Alas, the only way out of that predicament is to get out of your own way and start. Registering for some classes is a brilliant place to start and see where you're at. Both Gaelchultúr and Conradh na Gaeilge run virtual and classroom based lessons.
Online is a great place to start, in forums, Facebook groups and/or Twitter, Instagram and TikTok all have spaces in which you can dip your toe but nothing replaces meeting other Irish speakers in real life to connect on a deeper level with the language.
Tá grúpaí ceoil, spóirt, ealaíne agus neart, neart eile ann anois a bhuaileann le chéile sa bhfíorshaol, rud a dhaingníonn an caidreamh idir tusa agus an teanga atá á labhairt agat.
