Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach

• GA3031: An Ghaeilge sa Chleachtas Gairmiúil 1 (6 ECTS)
• GA3041: An Fhilíocht Chomhaimseartha (6 ECTS)
• GA3051: Log Foghlama 1 (6 ECTS)

• GA3042: An Ghaeilge sa Chleachtas Gairmiúil 2 (6 ECTS)
• GA3052: An Traidisiún Béil (6 ECTS)
• GA3062: Log Foghlama 2 (3 ECTS)

• GA3023: An Cleachtas Dátheangach (6 ECTS)
• GA3033: Scríbhneoireacht & Scileanna an Léinn (6 ECTS)
• GA3043: Log Foghlama 3 (3 ECTS)

• GA3044: Scríbhneoirí Comhaimseartha na Gaeilge & an Pobal Léitheoireachta
• ​GA3054: Saibhriú Teanga: Comhthéacsanna Cumarsáide (6 ECTS) 
• GA3064: Log Foghlama 4 (3 ECTS)

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This is a communicative language course for those interested in the developing language proficiency in the context of professional practice. It will prepare students to deal effectively  with written and oral communication in their professional practice/ workplace.

SYLLABUS: Irish for the professional context; meeting people; working life; talking about your own profession; describing the workplace and work conditions; organising schedules; dealing with favours and requests; time management; dealing with complaints; written Irish – written correspondence, letters and e-mail; names and surnames in Irish; place names; giving orders; making plans for the future; and negotiating and arguing. Grammar and language accuracy is dealt with systematically in the context of module topics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This module aims to make students aware of the Irish language literary tradition and to sharpen insights into the vibrancy of the Irish language arts sector. Contemporary Irish language poetry and critical analysis of works will be studied.  Various public schemes, projects and poetry festivals will be discussed. As a student of applied Irish,  each participant will gain an understanding of the value of poetry as a learning resource which enriches language and cultural awareness. Another aim of the course is to improve the student’s critical reflective practice skills. As is typical in applied literary studies, an emphasis will be placed on developing students communicative, questioning, critical, analytical and organisational skills through a variety of communicative tasks and learning activities.

SYLLABUS: Irish poets from 1970 to the present day; Ireland’s contemporary poetry revolution; thematic study of selected poetry – youth, the relationship between young people and adults, sense of place, the representation of the Gaeltacht, the image of Ireland, love and family matters in poetry; cultural issues selected texts – the image of the Gaeltacht and Galltacht, local and national identity, religion and others; literary criticism; contemporary poetry in the media and social media sectors; pedagogical considerations - contemporary poetry as a resource for the language learner; Irish-medium poetry in the public domain: support schemes, community initiatives and projects, and poetry festivals; linguistic registers: interviewing/ presentation skills for the arts sector. [The following poets will on the syllabus: Máire Mhac an tSaoi; Michael Hartnett; Michael Davitt; Liam Ó Muirthile; Gabriel Rosenstock;  Ailbhe Ní Ghearrbhuigh; Cathal Ó Searcaigh; Caitríona Ní Chléirchín; Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill Rióna Ní Fhrighil; Biddy Jenkinson; Gréagóir Ó Dúill; Colm Breathnach; Louis de Paor Gearóid Mac Lochlainn. Students will have the opportunity to focus on three poets]

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The module aims to provide an online space for learners to reflect on their learning and on their study skills and approaches to language learning from the onset of the course. The environment will create prospects for students to document their learning experiences by using innovative methods based on best language learning practice.  It will give insights into the individual differences associated with second language learning with particular emphasis on effective language learning, It will present opportunities to create self-profiles and to identify strengths and difficulties of the learner as an individual. Students will keep regular and consistent logs and will enjoy the benefits of a successful approach to language learning that best suits their needs. The module is designed to cater to the needs of the learner as an individual and therefore will suit a wide range of learner types with varying requirements, from the more traditional L2 learner of Irish to new speakers of the language. Gaeltacht-based self-reflection is central to the learning experience.

SYLLABUS: Induction and training on Sulis; traditional and autonomous study skills; how languages are learned; language learning and emotions; learner profiling; effective language learning; recognising and creating opportunities for use in the target language; identifying strengths and difficulties in the learner profile; receiving feedback on accuracy errors, Gaeltacht-based learning experience (1). 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The language skills acquired by the student in prior learning will be developed and the students’ knowledge  of a range of topics leading to a developing language proficiency and equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in work related situations. The student’s confidence in his/her written, oral, aural and reading ability will be increased. Students will be prepared to deal effectively  with written and oral communication in their professional practice.
SYLLABUS: Talking about your professional practice; describing services and rights; writing letters and e-mail; writing for the web; writing for social media; giving directions; the place names of Ireland; exploring possibilities; problem solving; mediation and conflict management; meetings; time management; project management.  Grammar and accuracy in context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The aim of this module is to give students an insight into the content, function and richness of the oral tradition, and into the use of Irish in the contemporary indigenous arts context. The student will be familiar with the specific characteristics of the Munster dialect following analysis of materials published by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (Folklore Projects) and other resource material from TG4, An tOireachtas Player and Raidió na Gaeltachta.  Student interest in exploring ways of promoting the oral tradition in their own localities will also be nurtured.  

SYLLABUS: Folklore as an academic field of study; the history of the study of folklore in Ireland; the collectors of the Folklore Commission of Ireland and their work; using the folklore archive; the oral tradition of the people; the Schools Collection as a resource for the local historian; calendar custom in contemporary Irish society; storytelling festivals; poetic dialogue; the role of An tOireachtas; current research in the field of folklore, the use of Irish in the context of indigenous arts; the role of TG4 in promoting folklore as a discipline and in supporting local initiatives; and authentic material: folklore as a resource for language development and cultural awareness; local folklore, cultural tourism and community development.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The module aims to build upon the reflective, self-evaluation and study skills of students. They will draw upon their experiences of a blended learning approach to further utilise online learning tools to develop the quality of their learning. The focus is on literature as a resource for the language learner, evaluating both online and print reading materials, and developing critical and creative thinking in relation to both. A further aim of the module is to build on students' cultural awareness and personal development during activities beyond the classroom and VLE, and in the Gaeltacht in particular. 

SYLLABUS: Developing a plan for learning; how to effectively approach the learning log; appropriate use of learning resources for support; gaining an understanding of online and print language resources; developing awareness in relation to language accuracy – nurturing noticing; exploration of dialects and phonetics; strategies for learning vocabulary; the effect of affect- a look at communication apprehension; implementing corrective feedback; monitoring progress in the four language skills; Gaeltacht-based learning experience (2).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: To promote understanding of and a positive attitude towards bilingualism; To engage with the concept of the Irish language community, comprising both traditional and new speakers, and to promote understanding of their heterogeneity in terms of sociolinguistic background, motivations and language practices; To aid students in fostering enhanced relationships with Irish speakers of different sociolinguistic backgrounds; To examine the various forces impacting on the use of Irish as a language choice, both within and outside of the Gaeltacht; To promote critical thinking in regards to official language policy and public attitudes to Irish.

SYLLABUS: Bilingualism/multilingualism internationally; the benefits of bilingualism; English-Irish bilingualism in Ireland and the Irish language community; the Census and other data sources; language shift historically, official language policy and examples of language management; language dynamics in the contemporary Gaeltacht; Irish language use as a language choice governed by various societal forces; power, equality and language rights; raising children with Irish: challenges and possibilities; Irish language networks, community engagement, new speakers and current sociolinguistic research.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Engaging effectively with academic register in Irish can be particularly challenging for students, most of whom are second language speakers and often with little exposure to various registers of the language. The aim of this module is to increase students’ ability to carry out academic research and writing in Irish by increasing their awareness of academic register in Irish and by developing their academic and language skills.

SYLLABUS: The module will be of interest to students of Irish in the University of Limerick and other third level institutions, students who wish to carry out some or all of their research projects (e.g. their final year project) through Irish, professionals involved in research or academic writing through Irish. It is possible to register on a link-in basis and complete this 6 credit module without registering for the full Diploma programme.  

The writing process; writing strategies; characteristics of academic writing; analysis of Irish language academic texts; writing exercises; library skills and finding sources; the literature review; critical analysis; developing an academic voice; Harvard referencing conventions; language awareness; grammar and accuracy; useful resources; reviewing and proofreading; peer support; effective academic presentations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The module aims to build upon the reflective, self-evaluation and study skills of students. The focus is on literature as a resource for the language learner, evaluating both online and print reading materials, and developing critical and creative thinking in relation to both. A further aim of the module is to build on students' cultural awareness and personal development during activities beyond the classroom and VLE, and in the Gaeltacht (or at an Irish-medium cultural event) in particular. They will draw upon their experiences of a blended learning approach to further utilise online learning tools to develop the quality of their learning, and to practise writing skills in particular through blogging activities.

SYLLABUS: Developments in study skills and understanding of autonomous learning; literature, the internet, broadcast and print media as resources for the independent Irish language learner; selecting reading resources; strengths and challenges associated with Irish language literature for the independent learner; strategies for enriching vocabulary; improving writing through the use of blogs; improving writing through creative writing; what my language means to me  - audio/ written blog; Gaeltacht-based learning experience (3); my immersion excursion blog account of time spent in the Gaeltacht; critical analysis of progress in the four language skills and insights relating to cultural awareness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The rationale behind this module is to open up the world of Irish language reading to the student and to give them an insight into contemporary Irish language writing and publishing and content which targets readers of various types.  The students will have ample opportunities to develop their own linguistic skills by studying a range of written texts. Another general aim is to establish student reading habits (reading for leisure) and to look at ways of maintaining these in the long term.

SYLLABUS: Political and social history of the language; arts and cultural movements; contemporary Irish language writers: portraits; contemporary prose: thematic study of selected works, and modern themes and issues in these works;  Irish language script-writing, soaps and short films;  blogging; writing for the stage and performance; book clubs and Irish language literary festivals; literary competitions and schemes e.g. residency scheme;  the Irish language media; children and youth literature; Irish language publishing; supports for publishers; Irish language writers on social media; reader trends and habits;  scope and challenges of Twitter.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will broaden students’ communication,  discursive and articulation skills in Irish. The students will be prepared to identify and use a range of language registers. Formal contexts will relate to official and ceremonial occasions and consultative language such as that used in professional contexts between employer/employee will also be considered. More casual informal registers will relate to the language registers used in social circles with friends. The students’ general language skills will be developed and reinforced enabling them to actively participate in Irish language events in the workplace and beyond.

SYLLABUS: Registers and discourse variations in the workplace – presentations; formal ceremonies; welcoming visitors; introducing speakers; giving speeches at work; opening exhibitions, judging competitions; information booklets; book launches, academic presentations; and other such occasions.Registers and discourse variations beyond the workplace – public speaking & debates; forums; pressure groups; committees; correspondence to newspapers/ web forums; writing newspaper/magazine articles; writing press releases; getting sponsorship and funding; festival work; social media; master of ceremonies skills;

Various media will be used to improve the students’  oral, listening, written, reading ability and cultural awareness – newspapers magazines and journals, promotional material; websites, social media; news items, radio and television programmes. The following themes will be explored: social, political and current affairs; health issues; customs; media; lifestyles; travel; & the Irish language in the home.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The module aims to encourage students to reflect on lifelong language learning. The focus is on literature as a resource for the language learner and developing critical and creative thinking. Reading material for the language learner, and the adult learner/reader in particular, is the primary focus.  A further aim of the module is to build on students' cultural awareness and personal development during collaborative pair and group activities in a blended learning approach throughout the semester, as well as during a short language immersion experience. The potential of networking with other language learners and competent speakers in the minority language context is explored and practised.

SYLLABUS: The role of motivation in language learning - life-long learning; cooperating and networking with other Irish language learners and speakers; using computer assisted support tools for group work; insights into form-focused language learning; listening and reading processes; acquiring pronunciation; identifying common errors in the target language; strategies enhanced for communication and presenting; a task-based and problem solving learning approach to learning; critical analysis of progress in the four language skills and insights relating to cultural awareness; developing a life-long language learning plan; Gaeltacht learning experience (4).

You must apply online via the Graduate and Professional Studies website. First of all, please refer to  the checklist under 'Professional/Flexible programmes - how to apply' for instructions on the applications process.

Deadline for applications: 

Please note that applicants must also attend an interview

The course fee is €1,154 per year (based on academic year 2022/23 - fees are subject to review each year). Note that the fee for the off-campus Gaeltacht weekend each semester is extra.

The fee for a link-in module (6 ECTS) is €300 while the fee for the Log Foghlama 1-4 modules (3 ECTS) is €150 per module.

It was the Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge programme that inspired me to continue to learn more about the language. It prompted my language learning journey, a journey that is still ongoing. I wouldn't have continued on that journey were it not for the team at Aonad na Gaeilge who encourage and give full and hearty support at all times.

ANONYMOUS

Mholfainn go mór an cúrsa seo, is cúrsa den scoth é; níor thuig mé an méid deiseanna atá ann le Gaeilge; fuair me a lán eolais faoi phobal na Gaeilge agus cé chomh saibhir agus láidir is atá an pobal sin.

ANONYMOUS

Tá a lán seachas an Ghaeilge i gceist, sochtheangeolaíocht, cultúr, conas tabhairt faoi chur i lathair a dheanamh, bhaineas a lán taitnimh as.

ANONYMOUS

Bhí mé imithe ón oideachas foirmeálta le blianta. Bhí an cúrsa go hiontach chun dul I dtaithi ar an oideachas arís. Bhí an t-atmaisféar fáiltiúil.

ANONYMOUS