Beannachtaí ó Roinn na Gaeilge! 2013 is a very important year as it is Bliain na Gaeilge (Year of the Irish Language). All secondary schools across the nation are participating in this event and St Kilian’s German School is no exception. The Irish Department, along with Coiste na Gaeilge, have been very proactive in organising various events for this year long celebration of our national language. These events have included an action packed water sports weekend in Coláiste Uisce in Mayo, our own take on the Harlem Shake, a first year film club every Monday, lón Gaelach every Friday, body attack as Gaeilge for classes 7 and 8 to highlight the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, smoothie and home-made cake parties with class 11, céilís, Caith Amach É Dráma workshop for classes 10, 11 and 12 and our Coiste na Gaeilge were very busy organising activities for Seachtain na Gaeilge and Bliain na Gaeilge.
Bliain na Gaeilge could not have come at a more appropriate time as it is also the Year of the European Citizen and as St Kilian’s is a European school it is now more important than ever that we, as both Irish and European citizens, have a vibrant experience and understanding of our national language as well as our fellow European counterparts. At present St Kilian’s students are thoroughly enjoying this experience and understand the advantages that Irish has to offer.
As the Irish proverb goes “Beatha teanga í a labhairt” (A spoken language is a living language) and here in St Kilian’s we place a great emphasis on the spoken language as a means of communication. This is reflected in the Junior and Leaving Certificate syllabus as the oral exam is now worth 40% in both exams. We recommend and encourage all of our students to spend a period of time in the Gaeltacht. Each year students who have been to the Gaeltacht during the summer months visit all Junior Cycle classes promoting their worthwhile experience. Mar a deir an seanfhocal “Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam”.
