http://www.nuim.ie/language/dioplomagaeilge.html

Does this look good?

I was thinking of doing this after I've taken evening lessons at both búnleibhéal, meánleibhéal agus ardleibhéal.

Does this diploma look like a good foundation for attaining fluency?

Is it not just on over May?

By the way, did you get an email from that fellow yet? He likes to take his time...

Haven't heard from Séamas yet, if that was what you meant. :-) Maybe he's torturing me or something.

I know now anyway that I'm not going to Aberystwyth after all. It doesn't suit me too well. Talked to Bill Mahon and he said that there is little Irish in the Celtic Studies. Hardly anything actually. And I couldn't do a joint honours because there aren't any other subjects on offer that interest me the least.

I don't understand everything on that page actually.
Does it say that it begins in May?

The Diploma in Irish language is brilliant at Coleraine University (Northern Ireland). According to an official survey, the teachers are the best ones in all Ireland (both Northern Ireland and Republic). I did it there, the teachers are the best ones you can imagine, really :)

Lughaidh is pointing out that the course in the link is over, it seems, or just that Colraine is better.

http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=2828

http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=2841


Gloss of link (written in legal-ish Irish). I was been asked something at one point, so my attention ran, so a few bits might be ropey.

Diploma in Irish

Aim
The aim of this course is to provide training in Irish for those who need it for personal and business/professional needs and need to be effective in it

Conditions
No more than 25 people per course/year

Entrance Requirments
Canidates would be expected to have passed a test in honours level, generally, irish honours for leaving. It is also allowed for a pas based on age too

Students will have a pass in higher level or equivelent
One will submit application on or before 19 August 2005

Course Length
Mandatory 4 hours weekly, 2 weeks in the Jailtacht, 4 day-long workshops

Course Content
There is a particalar empasis on developing the conversational skills of the particpants; also on acquisition in the following order:

Speaking
Comprehension
Listening

One nurtures the precis of the particiatns via focus on things in this order

Writing
Grammar
Instruction

To further the acquisition one directs them in the workshops:

Unique elements of the language: place-names, surnames, folklore
Irish literature
contemporary Irish, means of conversation, langauge act, educational system

Elements
Double-up work, group work, and debate on the central parts of the language
One uses video recordings, interviews, and computer facilities on a regualar basis
Practical work sessions in the workshops. There will be an opportunity for the participants to tackle whatever materials are involved in the chapters

Assesment
One makes assesments bi-yearly in various language areas. In addition to formal studies in reading and speaking, 25% of marks are in continous assesment

Thanks, Robert! I could actually make out most of that.
But that the programme is over... do you mean that it has been discontinued and is not available anymore from now on?

Lughaidh, you should have told me about that Diploma months ago!! Then I could have gone there instead. Suppose it's too late to apply now anyway... I'm gonna start crying hysterically now!! :-(

No, Lughaidh! This is good!

It's not too late for me to apply. Thanks a bunch, Lughaidh! If you hadn't told me that, I wouldn't be as excited as I am now! Just hope they don't reject me..