Irish Language Classes Begin in September

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England and Elms College are offering a range of Irish language classes for the 2019/2020 academic year. Classes are geared for all learning levels, from beginner to advanced. View class schedule.

The ICC and Elms College are pleased to welcome the program’s tenth consecutive Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Yvonne de Faoite. Yvonne recently completed a master’s degree in Irish immersion education from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, and will teach the Intermediate: Advanced class this school year.

Gerald Costello, ICC Language Committee Chair and one of this year’s instructors, values the work of the Fulbright Teaching Assistant. He says, “The FLTA contributes and fosters a sense of good will between Ireland and the U.S. This ambassador links the past with the present and enables our students of the language to learn through group work, presentations, and assorted activities. Minority languages face an uncertain future; the FLTA is helping us to remember our ancestors’ language by making it relevant and enjoyable.”

Classes begin in early September and take place at Elms College in Chicopee, MA. Experienced instructors from the ICC will teach non-credit course offerings. First Year Irish, a beginner course requiring no initial knowledge of the language, will be taught by Gerald Costello on Monday evenings. Costello will also teach Second Year Irish on Tuesday evenings. Kathleen Gilhooly will teach Third Year Irish on Tuesday evenings, and Fourth Year Irish on Saturday mornings. Yvonne de Faoite will teach the Intermediate: Advanced class on Wednesday evenings, which may be taken on a credit or non-credit basis.

The cost is $150 for the First, Second, Third and Fourth Year classes, and $175 for Intermediate. ICC Patrons receive a $50 discount. To enroll, please call the Elms College Registrar at 413-265-2314, or download a registration form.