Early-immersion Education in Irish-medium Schools
What is early-immersion education?
Children are immersed fully in the Irish language. Irish is the language of learning for the entire curriculum. Irish-medium schools are permitted to delay the teaching of English until First Class, subject to approval by the Board of Management. Reading will typically begin in Irish. After a certain period, the school will introduce reading in English in addition to Irish-language reading. All native and international research findings confirm the advantages of introducing early-literacy in the target language (Irish) rather than in English.
Advantages of Irish-Medium Education
- Greater academic success.
- Easier to learn a third and fourth language.
- Bilingualism
- Bi-literacy
- Cognitive and thinking benefits
- Broader exposure to and appreciation of the value of various cultures.
- Raised self esteem.
- Security in identity.
- Economic and employment benefits.
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