Blag #1
📖 Read Time: 6-7 minsFáilte ollmhór to the inaugural TeangaTree blog post!
Is mise Múinteoir Dani, the founder of this exciting initiative, and I’m thrilled to have you join us as we embark on this journey together. Whether you’re new to TeangaTree or have been with us from the beginning, I want to extend a warm welcome. Here’s a reminder of who we are, what we do, and how we’re here to support you on your Irish language journey.
Who We Are 🌳
At TeangaTree, our mission is clear: we aim to empower primary school teachers across Ireland to inspire a love for Gaeilge in their classrooms. We understand the challenges of teaching Irish, especially if you’re feeling uncertain or lacking in confidence. That’s why TeangaTree was established—to meet teachers where they are, offer practical guidance, and help you build confidence and joy in teaching Gaeilge.
What We Do 🌳
TeangaTree is more than just a resource hub; it’s a vibrant community of support. We offer:
Practical Teaching Resources: Access ready-to-use materials like language games, lesson planning tips, engaging visuals, worksheets, and interactive activities.
Engaging Social Media Content: Enjoy bite-sized tips, posts, seanfhocal challenges, and fun learning prompts that make teaching Irish easier and more enjoyable.
Inspiration and Support: Build your confidence in using Irish in a way that feels achievable and rewarding.
Upcoming courses - more on this soon!
There has been a fantastic uptake and response to our free guide, Réidh don Scoil, a valuable resource for teachers preparing for the school year ahead with Gaeilge. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, be sure to check it out after reading our blog.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s blog - Blag na Seachtaine! Bain sult as!
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tip: 🎶 Adding Ceol agus Gluaiseacht (movement) to Gaeilge Lessons
Is breá liom ceol! I’ve found that incorporating music, rhyme, and movement canbe incredibly effective for language learning. Here are some tips for weavingthese elements into your Gaeilge lessons:
For younger students, start a lesson with a rhyme like “Lámh, Lámh Eile” tocapture their attention and focus their minds.For older students, use call-and-response instructions to engage their earsand minds with tasks. For example:
Múinteoir: “Tóg amach”
Dalta: “Tóg amach”
Múint: “Do leabhar Gaeilge”
Dalta: “Mo leabhar Gaeilge”
Múint: “Ar leathanach”
Dalta: “Ar leathanach”
Múint: “Fiche cúig”
Dalta: “Sin fiche cúig”
Adding movement can help reinforce the connection between words and their meanings.
🤗 Sampla deas ón tseachtain seo - A fun example of language in action during my week…
My senior students chose “Tóg go bog é” as their frása of the week and added a fun click-and-point action to accompany the phrase!
It turned out to be a great change up from the usual “slán leat.”
A great bit of craic was had leaving school on Friday- everybody was reminded to ‘Tóg go bog é’ finger clicks and all, while heading into the weekend!
📉 1 Thing Learnt This Week: When Technology Fails, What’s Next?
Ever had a seachtain where every bit of teicneolaícht you rely on seems to take unplanned laethanta saoire when you need it the most??
This first full week ar ais ar scoil was a tech-no week for me—no printer connection, delayed access to online resources, and sluggish whiteboards.
In the midst of my little tech-no damhsa 💃, I discovered that technology failures can actually be an opportunity for slowing down and leaning into creativity.
Here’s how I adapted:
Instead of: Whiteboard Digital Displays for Start of Year Vocab
I opted for: Tobsmaointeoireacht—students brainstormed ideas and noted them in their cóipleabhair. They supported each other with phrasing and litriú enhancing collaborative learning.
Instead of: Printed Posters of Classroom Language
I opted for: Student-designed Gaeilge phrase posters, making the process more creatively engaging and student-centred.
Instead of: Art ideas (Google/Pintrest/Twinkl) on the Whiteboard
I opted for: Students using books and classroom objects for inspiration, leading to a creative exploration of resources. One student request - ‘how to draw the shape of Ireland’ led them to discover it in their leabhar Gaeilge where they were able to trace it onto their poster. There was a great sense of achievement and empowerment here for this student.
Instead of: Interactive Games on the Whiteboard
I opted for: Low-tech games like Feicim le Mo Shúilín Beag, using items from the classroom for interactive play. Cluiche Kim using items from the students’ desks, with my desk serving as the special stage! We also played Deir Ó Grádaigh as a warm-up and transition activity.
Instead of: Scéal / Friday Físeán on the Interactive Whiteboard
I opted for: A Magical Seisiún Scéalaíochta with Irish folktales, fostering imagination and connection with Irish mythology.
We read 3 mini-stories about Setanta, Labhraidh Loingseach and The Magical Cloak! It was just my voice and some illustrations from the book. The rest was magic and their imaginations. Even though these scéalta were in English, we were able to connect words, names and places to what we knew as Gaeilge while also enjoying the magic of Irish folktales.
It was a big hit for rang 1 agus 2 on Friday afternoon and I’ve now been informed by both classes that this now needs to be a weekly feature!
👩🏫 Teacher’s Takeaway: Build a Backup Plan - Bíodh Plean B (agus C!) agat!
While teicneolaíocht is a fantastic tool, it’s not always reliable. Here are some quick strategies for staying on track with ranganna Gaeilge when tech fails:
Print Key Resources Ahead of Time: Having printed materials ready can be a lifesaver. I was glad to have had some TeangaTree resources printed from home this week and easily run through the photocopier.
Embrace Low-Tech Games: Oral games like Cluiche Kim, Deir Ó Grádaigh and simple call-and-response activities keep students engaged without digital aids.
Create a Language-Rich Environment: Use and let students create posters, flashcards and other resources. Use everyday objects to support your Gaeilge lessons.
Foster a Culture-Rich Experience: Have a selection of Irish books or stories on hand for your very own Magical Seisiún Scéalaíochta!
Blag na seachtaine seo has been a nice reminder to revisit core teaching techniques that can sometimes be overshadowed by technology.
Reflection: What’s your go-to strategy for teaching “unplugged”? Do you have a favourite cluiche or activity that doesn’t rely on tech?
Until Next Time!
As you continue your journey teaching Gaeilge, remember that you’re part of a growing community here at TeangaTree. We’re here to support and inspire you, whether you're looking for resources, new ideas, or just a bit of encouragement.
Keep an eye out for more tips, resources, and inspiration in future posts. And feel free to share your own experiences or ask any questions—we’d love to hear from you!
Go n-éirí go hiontach libh, and remember—Tóg go bog é!
