Fourth Class Students’ Attitudes Towards the Irish Language in an English-Medium Primary School.

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to ascertain fourth class students’ attitudes towards the Irish language in the context of an English-medium primary school. The researcher sought to evaluate students’ experience of the Irish language in their school environment, home environment and in the wider local community. Extensive research into the attitudes towards the Irish language have been conducted over the years in a variety of different contexts. These studies helped guide the researcher though this study and consideration was given to the relevant literature throughout. A qualitative framework with ethnographic elements was chosen for the purpose of this research. Twenty-two participants of the same fourth-class cohort were chosen to partake in the study. Using a reflective journal based of the programme Sceitimíní Gníomhachtaí Gaeilge agus Drámaíochta, written by Claire Dunne, the researcher was able to gather information about participants’ experience of Irish in their home environment, school environment and in the local wider community. The researcher analysed the data through thematic coding and the findings show that in line with findings from other national attitudes research, attitudes to learning Irish are distinct from attitudes to the language more generally. The majority of the participants currently hold a negative attitude towards learning the Irish language but despite this, are motivated to learn Irish because of its value as an ethnic symbol. However, some small signs of a more positive attitude towards the language were evident at the end of the research study. These findings were used by the researcher to make several recommendations for future practice and research in relation to the Irish curriculum, teaching methodologies, initial teacher education programs and the implementation of a Content and Language Integrated Learning approach.