Fáilte go dtí 2018!
Tá Bliain na Gaeilge Linn!
A chairde, fáilte go dtí 2018, Bliain na Gaeilge! 125 years after the beginning of the Irish language revival in 1893, Bliain na Gaeilge (“Year of the Irish Language”) is a special opportunity to celebrate the language and encourage the use of Irish in Ireland and overseas.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has given his blessing to the scheme, saying “Throughout Bliain na Gaeilge we want to celebrate the Irish language and encourage as many people as possible to get involved. Whether you are a fluent Irish speaker, if you are just learning the language, or if you haven’t used your Irish in years, this is an opportunity to improve your fluency, learn more about the language and encourage your neighbors, friends and colleagues to embrace the language in their everyday lives.”
In Washington DC, we have some very exciting plans for Bliain na Gaeilge 2018. On Monday, Jan 8th at 7pm we are hosting an Oíche Eolais 2018 (Information Night) to explain all our new Irish language plans and projects for the year ahead, including upcoming courses, Féile na Gaeilge 2018, online classes and some other very big announcements! Most importantly, it is an opportunity for old and new to come along to our classroom and ask questions and learn more. You can register for Monday’s event here. Anyone in attendance on Monday will be entered into a free raffle for a copy of the bestselling Irish book ‘Motherfoclóir’, which takes an irreverent, pun-friendly and contemporary approach to the Irish language. A must- have for all language lovers, ‘Motherfoclóir’ is a highly-entertaining book that is stuffed with anecdotes and observations about Irish and the quirks of the language!
As you likely know, 2018 classes begin in earnest from Tuesday, Jan 9th at 7pm, when the new 8-week Introductory Irish course begins. Register for this class if you want to get started with learning Irish, and be able to introduce yourself, talk about family life, hobbies, numbers, emotions and more. This is a great way to start learning Irish, and an excellent new challenge to take on in 2018!
On Wednesday, Jan 10th the Ard Rang TEG A2 class resumes for 6 weeks of study and preparation for this year’s A2 TEG exam. Meánrang de dhíth, nó staidéar ar chomhchéim leis sa Ghaeilge, le freastal ar an rang seo.
We are delighted that this Thursday, Jan 11th, we are starting a new Intermediate TEG A1 class. This small class is designed for students who have completed Introductory level classes and would like to work towards an official Irish language qualification in 2018 or 2019. Registration is still open for all classes. If you have a question about your suitability for any course, please drop us a line and also refer to this page for a course overview. If you’re interested in our 2018 online classes, please drop us a line too!
Ar deireadh, míle buíochas, a chairde, as ucht bhur dtacaíochta i rith na bliana anseo in Washington DC agus ar líne! Bhí bliain ghnóthach, taitneamhach eile againn. Feicfidh muid sibh go luath in 2018 ag ár nOíche Eolais ar 8ú Eanáir!
Many thanks everyone for your support throughout 2017 in Washington DC and online after another busy and enjoyable year. We had a wonderful end of year Song Workshop and Cóisir na Nollag, and you can see photo highlights on our Facebook page here. Let our video below be an inspiration for you, and remember, wherever you are in 2018, Bliain na Gaeilge, do try to learn some Irish – bígí ag caint!
