Sir, - I read the recent letters on the use of bonus marks for Irish with great interest. While I certainly understand the apparent contradictions of this in face of inadequate teacher training in the language, I am always amazed by the love/hate relationship of Irish people with the language.
As Irish immigrants, my parents always endeavoured to instill in me and my siblings a love for Irish culture and language, despite their own past experiences of being taught Irish.
With a very rudimentary background in the language I began to learn Irish as an adult here in Toronto through a programme that stressed conversation rather than an academic approach. After two years some friends and I were able to enroll in an Irish immersion course at Arβs Mhβirt∅n U∅ Chβthain in An Cheathr· Rua. I was amazed at the dedication and enthusiasm among both staff and students.
Furthermore, I was also amazed at the distances that people travelled to learn Irish. They came not only from Ireland, but England, Scotland, Canada, the United States, Germany, France and Australia.
And why? The answer is simple. Irish is something worth learning, worth loving and worth saving. It is a part of who we are, not only in Ireland but in the diaspora. It colours the way I look at things and, interestingly enough, it has improved my English.
I believe the approach to teaching the language had changed in the past 10 years. I urge those adults who did not have a good experience in learning Irish as a child to explore the conversational approach. The language was not the villain, just the method, and it is time educators, the Government and the people realised that fact. - Yours, etc.,
Patrick Roche, Toronto, Canada.