Exemption from Gaelic in Schools?

[White Horse]

I am investigating the possibility of gaining an exemption for my children from learning the Gaelic language in school.

I have three children at primary level and from my research my only option is to send them to a Northern Ireland primary school.

Has anyone come across an alternative way of gaining an exemption?

[johnfás]

As far as I know, no schools in the Republic teach Gaelic, they teach Gaeilge .

Learning difficulties are the only cause for an exemption so far as I know. Apart from being in an education system a certain number of years outside of the state.

[Rebel CNC]

Just take them to local national school. Experience would suggest they won't learn the language or even if they make some stab at it, they'll forget it all within a year or two.

[meriwether]

Why do you want them to be exempt?
Shouldn't you give them a shot at learning it?
Education should be about getting a wide range of learning opportunities.
They might be good at it, and with the way the Leaving Cert is, if they are good at a subject and can use it for the points race, well and good.

(Yes, Im aware they are only in NS).

[18 Brumaire]

Why do you want them to be exempt ?

[White Horse]

Just take them to local national school. Experience would suggest they won't learn the language or even if they make some stab at it, they'll forget it all within a year or two.

Yeah, all that wasted time and effort.

[Aindriu]

[quote=White Horse]

Just take them to local national school. Experience would suggest they won't learn the language or even if they make some stab at it, they'll forget it all within a year or two.

Yeah, all that wasted time and effort. [/quote:321qqinu]

They might also find the challenge of learning it exciting. Why deny them the opportunity?

[White Horse]

Why do you want them to be exempt?
Shouldn't you give them a shot at learning it?

There is a variety of reasons.

1). My eldest detests the lessons. He is quite gifted at languages. ( I'm currently teaching him German). He finds the lessons boring, and it is beginning to affect his behaviour.

2). I have bad memories of all the wasted years learning a languauge that I never used once I sat the Laeaving Cert.

3). It isn't my family's languauge. We're English speakers and have no emotional attachment to the Irish/Gaelic language.

[White Horse]

They might also find the challenge of learning it exciting. Why deny them the opportunity?

I'm only at the stage of finding out if it is possible. It was torture when I was at school. However, I'm told that the quality of teaching has improved greatly since I was at school.

[johnfás]

Why do you want them to be exempt?
Shouldn't you give them a shot at learning it?

There is a variety of reasons.

1). My eldest detests the lessons. He is quite gifted at languages. ( I'm currently teaching him German). He finds the lessons boring, and it is beginning to affect his behaviour.

2). I have bad memories of all the wasted years learning a languauge that I never used once I sat the Laeaving Cert.

3). It isn't my family's languauge. We're English speakers and have no emotional attachment to the Irish/Gaelic language.

Are you certain that the behavioural issue is solely created by the learning of the Irish language? Surely this is a broader issue which may be created by something deeper such as a wider boredem across subjects or indeed other pupils in his class.

If your son ever wants to be a solicitor, he will have to sit the exams I am about to sit.

If you lived in France, your children would learn French. Whether or not you feel Irish is "your" language, you live within this state and it is one of the official languages of this state.