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LEIBHÉIL THEANGA / LANGUAGE LEVELS

Since 2015, we have structured our Irish classes around Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG), which is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). TEG is an internationally-recognised Irish language proficiency examination that assesses candidates’ skills in reading, writing, listening and conversation.

Our Triail Socrúcháin (Placement Test) below will guide you in choosing the most appropriate Cúrsa for you. Bear in mind that this test is only a general insight, and if you still have additional questions, it is worth contacting us to discuss. There are a total of 50 questions to answer, and the questions are different each time. Ádh mór – Good luck!

Triail Socrúcháin - Placement Test

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Logáil isteach – please login or register to take this placement test.

Na Leibhéil: Irish Language Levels Explained

The level descriptions below will help you identify your language level and a suitable class. We suggest that new students begin at our A0 Introductory level, before advancing to A1, the first official step in the TEG curriculum. Some students may repeat our A0 course as preparation for the A1 level. Those who have previously studied Irish may chose to begin our classes at A1 level or higher. 

Learners attending Cúrsaí are not required to sit official Irish language exams. However, the following guidelines by TEG are helpful in getting an idea of how long it takes studying Irish to reach a certain level of language acquisition:

  • A1 Beginner: around 80-100 hours studying the language or attending language classes. 
  • A2 Elementary: an additional 160-200 hours studying the language or attending classes after reaching A1.
  • B1 Intermediate: an additional 350–400 hours studying the language or attending classes after reaching A2.
  • B2 Upper Intermediate: an additional 500-600 hours studying the language after reaching B1.
  • C1 Advanced: an additional 1,000 hours studying the language or attending classes after reaching B2.

Leibhéal A0 > B2

A0 Level: 

Introductory Stage

  • This level describes someone who has little or no Irish language experience.

> Join our Free Workshop (available every month).

> Take our Free Starter Video Class (available now!)

> Register for a 7-week A0 Introductory Irish course. We have 2 Introductory courses (A & B) that are offered throughout the year. Each 7-week course covers a variety of topics and focuses on building students’ confidence and preparation for A1 classes. No previous learning is required.

Booklet A: Salutations, How are you?, Grammar, Who are you?, The preposition ‘Ag’, Verbal nouns, Niceties, Pastimes, Numbers, Days of the week, Conversation, Topography, A poem.

Booklet B: Salutations, Describing people, Useful conversation phrases, The verbal noun, The weather, Proverbs, Special occasions, The preposition ‘Ar’, A poem, A song.

> Register for a 7-week A0 Introductory Irish course. 

A1 Level: 

Beginner

> Register for our 7-week A1 classes that run throughout the year. New students may join at any time. Our classes cover 3 topics each term, in the following order:

1. Meeting people/Ag bualadh le daoine
2. Background and place of residence/Cúlra agus áit chónaithe
3. The family/An teaghlach
4. The house and accommodation/An teach agus lóistín
5. Pastimes/Caitheamh aimsire
6. Daily life/An saol laethúil
7. Talents and skills/Buanna agus scileanna
8. Work/Cúrsaí oibre
9. Food and drink/Bia agus deoch
10. Sickness and injury/Tinneas agus gortuithe
11. Clothes and shopping/Éadaí agus siopadóireacht
12. Holidays and travel/Laethanta saoire
13. Orders/Orduithe
14. Making arrangements/Ag déanamh socruithe

At A1 level you can:

  • Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
  • Introduce yourself and others.
  • Ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, what you do, people you know and things you have.
  • Ask and give directions.
  • Order food and drink.
  • Make very basic travel and accommodation arrangements.
  • Have a basic conversation, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

At A2 level you can:

  • Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas including basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography and employment.
  • Communicate in simple and routine tasks, requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
  • Describe, in simple terms, aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
  • Comfortably ‘get by’ in Irish, albeit with some difficulty.

A2 Level: 

Elementary

> Register for our 7-week A2 classes that run throughout the year. New students may join at any time. Our classes cover 3 topics each term, in the following order:

1. Social occasions/Ócáidí sóisialta
2. The family/An teaghlach
3. Pastimes/Caitheamh aimsire
4. Daily travel/Taisteal laethúil
5. Work/Cúrsaí oibre
6. Talking about the weekend/Ag labhairt faoin deireadh seachtaine
7. Food and drink/Bia agus deoch
8. Health and illness/Sláinte agus tinneas
9. Describing people/Ag déanamh cur sos ar dhaoine
10. Clothes and shopping/Éadaí agus siopadóireacht
11. Planning holidays/Ag pleanáil laethanta saoire
12. Directions, location and movement/Treoracha, suíomh agus gluaiseacht
13. Favours and permission/Garanna agus cead
14. Making arrangements/Ag déanamh socruithe

B1 Level: 

Intermediate

> Register for our 7-week B1 classes that run throughout the year. New students may join at any time. Our classes cover 3 topics each term, in the following order:

1. Cúlra agus áit chónaithe 
2. An teaghlach 
3. An teach
4. Cúrsaí oibre
5. Taisteal agus leathanta saoire
6. Cúrsaí oideachais
7. Caitheamh aimsire (Spórt agus ceol)
8. Bia agus deoch 
9. An saol laethúil
10. Cúrsaí siopadóireachta 
11. An duine
12. Coinní agus socruithe
13. Ag foghlaim teangacha
14. Caitheamh aimsire
15. Ag labhairt faoin am atá amach romhainn

At B1 level you can:

  • Understand the main points regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
    Deal with most situations likely to arise while speaking Irish.
  • Produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
  • Describe experiences and events.
  • Talk about dreams, hopes and ambitions.
  • Briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
  • Realistically consider working in the Gaeltacht (e.g. bar/counter work, waiting service in cafés or basic office work).

B2 Level: 

Upper Intermediate

At B2 level you can:

  • Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialisation.
  • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible, without strain for either party.
  • Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
  • Do business with speakers of the language in most run-of-the-mill situations.

> Our 7-week B2 classes are for students who have completed B1, or have reached upper intermediate level in Irish. Courses will cover 3 new topics from the B2 curriculum each term:

1. Sonraí pearsanta
2. Teach agus baile, ceantar cónaithe
3. Daoine eile
4. Am saor agus caitheamh aimsire
5. Cúrsaí oibre agus fostaíochta
6. Bia, deoch agus cúrsaí sláinte
7. Ag eagrú cúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht
8. Ag freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht
9. Cúrsaí oideachais
10. Na meáin chumarsáide
11. An teicneolaíocht
12. Cúrsaí sóisialta agus dlí
13. An pholaitíocht náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta
14. Cad é atá sa nuacht?