Hi all,

I'm new here, and as the title says I don't know where to start.

I am English, I live in Ireland and I have a very young daughter. My husband used to speak Irish but doesn't get the oportunity much now. I wanted to learn Irish years ago but never got around to it and decided it might not really be worth the effort,money or the embarassment when it all goes wrong. However I have now changed my mind. My daughter will have to learn it at school and I want her to get to enjoy it. If I only ever learn the very basics, well at least it's a start. The problem is I don't know how to start. Various people have given various suggestions form "just say it and learn from the mistakes" to get the "Rosetta Stone program" which I imagine may of you will laugh at!
So, I thought some here might be able to point me in the right direction. At school I found learning French easiest through reading and writing, does that mean Irish will go in the same way or do I need a diferent method!?

Any help would be very useful and appriciated.

Emi

There is a series of books and CDs called Gaschaint which is intended for parents of children in Gaelscoileanna.
I imagine that would be a good start.

If you want to go for a course, and you can get one from gaelchultur, do - they are specially geared towards teaching adults with no prior Irish.

http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=3883


http://www.gaelchultur.com/

They also have online classes at
http://www.ranganna.com

best of luck.

Encourage your husband to reawaken his latent Irish. Once he gets going again, then you'll all make good progress.

Emma,

I like the Transparent Software. It's based on Connacht Irish. You can download their BYKI program (free version) and get started for free! Once you are hooked you can buy their other stuff. I can also recommend the Liam O’Maonlai/Irish Independent mp3 series (free) on the web. It's a bit more Dublin "school Irish", but hey at least Liam speaks slowly and clearly...and doesn't whack you on the knuckles if yous mis-pronounce something. Lastly, keep chatting with whatever you learn!

Slan,
Kweeveen

If you know you're sticking with it, you might want to consider rosetta stone. You and your daughter can both use it, and your husband can use it to refresh his Irish. It's expensive, but worth every penny (get the three volume set and save about $200).

I'm also a fan of buntús cainte, a 3 vol book and cd set. that will get you speaking everyday stuff rather quickly, but it doesn't give you feedback like the computer program will (which is why RS is best if you're totally on your own with no teacher).

Whatever method you decide, doing it with your daughter and husband, and using it on an everyday basis (even if it's only a few phrases a day), will be essential to any kind of meaningful success. It can be an important bond in the family, however, so I wish you much luck =)

Emilou, a chara,

As regards Rosetta Stone, have you checked to see if your local library has a copy? Re Búntus Cainte, I remember that a few years ago that the county library in Galway had copies available.

Le meas,

Paul

PS, NJ learners: The Springfield Library has a copy of the Rosetta Stone Irish set.