David Robinson

One day in December of 2020, David Robinson, recently retired after 40 years of college teaching, was looking for something new to try during the pandemic.

David started using Duolingo, but after a few months, he decided he needed more if he was ever going to gain even a modest level of fluency. He started looking for online lessons and discovered Let’s Learn Irish. David started classes at the A1 level, and very soon, these lessons became the most important part of his week.

“I have fallen in love with the Irish language, and the Let’s Learn Irish classes are a big reason for that,” he says. David’s love for all things Irish is still growing, and he finally made his way to Ireland in August 2022, staying with a friend that he made through the classes! “Meeting other people with the same interest has been a real joy for me. The students and teachers are really friendly, making the online class environment great fun! I hope to continue as long as I can, so that someday I’ll have the fluency I’m hoping for.”

Cé Thusa?

Ainm/Name: David Robinson

Áit/Location: Central Minnesota, USA

Leibhéal/Level: A2 Elementary

Ról sa Chomhphobal/Role in the Community: Foghlaimeoir/Learner

Slí Beatha/Occupation: Retired university statistics professor

Am ag foghlaim Gaeilge/Time learning Irish: Almost two years

Caithimh Aimseartha/Hobbies: Watching sports on TV; reading about history of languages, especially Celtic languages, as well as language learning.

Cad is Fearr Leat?

Ceol/Music: I like many types of music, especially classical, pop songs from the 60s and 70s, popular rap

Amhrán/Song: ‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton. Almost every song from Hamilton is a favorite!

Bia/Food: Mexican

Deoch/Drink: Red wine and cold tea

Scannán/Film: Field of Dreams

Clár Teilifíse/TV Show: The Beverly Hillbillies

Podchraoladh/Podcast: Subpar

Leabhar/Book: ‘Saxons, Vikings and Celts’ by Bryan Sykes

Ainmhí/Animal: Cat

Laoch/Hero: Barack Obama

Áit in Éirinn/Place in Ireland: Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant, near Portlaoise, Ireland

Frása Gaeilge/Irish phrase: Is féidir linn / Yes, we can!

Miotaseolaíocht/Irish Mythology: Tuatha Dè Danann

Seanfhocal/Proverb: Seo mo sheanfhocal pearsanta: Nuair a bhíonn tú ar scor, is é an Satharn gach lá, ach amháin an Domhnach, ar lá scíthe é.

Mana saoil/Life motto: Life is good. Keep an attitude of gratitude.

Comhairle d’fhoghlaimeoirí nua/Advice for new learners of Irish: To the extent you can, do things everyday to immerse yourself in the language. Talk to yourself in Irish. Label items in your home with Irish words. And if possible, cultivate friendships with other Irish learners. Find time to talk to them in Irish on the phone or in Zoom.