A Chara, - I was saddened to read Donagh McDonagh's recent venomous attack on our Irish language in your Letters page of February 23rd. If his views are representative of a large number of people, it is obvious that attitudes to Gaelic, teaching methods, Irish texts and revival programmes, must be fully examined and revised.
I believe that the vast majority of people wish our languages to survive. Surely in this electronic age with instant communication we can devise a more attractive revival programme. The primary school curriculum in Gaelic must be revised.
1. I suggest that from infant class to third class, teachers should concentrate fully on Irish conversation, with simple well-illustrated textbooks. Grammar and written work should commence in fourth class.
2. For large schools in cities and towns, I suggest at least one fluent Gaelic speaker on the staff, to take Irish in each class from infants to sixth class, with only Gaelic spoken during this lesson.
3. Teachers who are uncomfortable teaching Irish should be allowed to take one-month intensive courses such as those offered by Oideas Gael or Gael Linn.
4. Until the home attitude to Gaelic is changed, children will continue to see Irish as a compulsory subject. I believe that if we start with discussion and conversation based on local placenames, which are of interest to parents, pupils and teachers, we can devise simple schemes, based on local placenames, as the basis of class comhrá.
5. Large-scale maps of the locality should be in each classroom, showing street names, historical sites and placenames in Gaelic.
6. Local historians, seanachais and parents should be taken into classes on a regular basis, to tell stories of local interest, place names, folklore, etc.
7. Textbooks should be based on local history, folklore and stories, written by teachers, local historians or seanachais.
Comments from Mr McDonagh and others who have problems with our language would be helpful for future Gaelic programme planners. - Is mise,
ÉANNA MAC CUINNEAGÁIN,
Cathach Books,
Duke Street,
Dublin 2.