In Welcome Back to Irish, you’ll build upon the essentials and expand your ability to speak and communicate in the Irish language:

how to ask and answer questions, how to listen and understand, and how to connect and share within a warm community of Irish learners.

This class is for you:

• if you’ve learned some Irish in the past
• if you’re a lover of Irish folklore
• if you tear up when you hear beautiful singing in Irish
• if you’ve always wondered if you could learn Irish
• if you’ve tried on your own and not gotten very far
• if you feel a powerful tug to Irish culture
• if you’re fascinated with Celtic languages and want to speak one
• if you want to be able to say “I love you” in Irish to your grandmother, your cat, or your sweetheart

Our approach to Irish in this course

This class is practical rather than theoretical. Our emphasis is on language you can use immediately:

• how to greet and be greeted
• how to introduce yourself and start a conversation
• how to speak about your family
• how to talk about your job and where you live
• how to communicate your likes and dislikes
• how to tell someone about your activities

In addition, you’ll also learn some proverbs, blessings, and folklore because these things are too good not to share them!

How the course works

• Starting 16 January, each Tuesday you’ll receive two brief video lessons and a resource sheet with all the phrases and words for the week.
• Each Monday evening, we’ll meet on Zoom to practice and enjoy what you’re learning.
• Our first class meeting is Monday, 22 January, 6:15-7:30 pm.
• You don’t have to buy any books or other resources. You’ll receive everything you need in the course to help you become an Irish speaker.
• And again: no grades, no tests, no pressure. Join us for the fun, the togetherness, and the learning!

Ask & Answer

Listen & Understand

Connect & Share

What’s Included

• Each Tuesday, you’ll receive two brief video lessons and a resource sheet from Kate
• Each Monday, Kate will write you a little note to remind you of our upcoming class
• Each Monday, we’ll gather online to practice, laugh, and deepen our learning
• At the end of the course, you’ll receive a pdf booklet with all the resource sheets
• You’ll also continue to have access to the teaching videos and class recordings

Our Dates

We meet on Mondays, 6:15-7:30 pm, EST:

• Week One ~ January 22
• Week Two ~ January 29
• Week Three ~ February 5
• Week Four ~ February 12
• BREAK WEEK: no class on 19 February
• Week Five ~ February 26
• Week Six ~ March 4
• Week Seven ~ March 11
• Week Eight ~ March 18

Please note: you’ll receive your first teaching videos and resource sheet before our first class meeting.

I’ve been madly in love with the Irish language for more than 30 years – and I’ve been teaching it for almost that long!

I began my own study in a course taught at University College Cork, Ireland. From the very first class I was hooked!

I went on to study in Donegal, Ireland at the superb language school, Oideas Gael, and at Harvard University where I earned my PhD in Celtic Languages and Literatures. Since then, I’ve taught Irish in the Harvard Extension School and in Harvard College more times than I can count. It has been my JOY to introduce hundreds of eager learners to this source of enrichment, empowerment, and fascination. I’m proud to say that I have earned a teaching award for every one of those classes – a reflection of my love and enthusiasm for the language and for my students, too.

The Irish language lives in my heart and in the hearts of many who love and study it. It would be an honor to welcome you BACK to Irish!

FAQ

I didn’t take the first part of “Welcome Home to Irish” in the fall. Can I join the class anyway?

If you have taken a term of Irish, even long ago, and if you are willing to try out a new method of learning, one which is rooted in speaking, speaking, speaking rather than studying, studying, studying, you are truly welcome to join us! If you’re in any doubt, drop me a line at kate@katechadbourne.com to explore whether this class will be a good idea for you.

What if I’m a complete beginner?

This is not the right class for you. Drop me a line and I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m teaching the first part of the course again – in Fall 2024, very likely.

I don’t think I learned everything in the first part of the course.

Please don’t worry about that! You’ve learned plenty, I promise. As I always say, learning Irish is a “spiral journey.” We come around to the same things multiple times, and each time we learn them more deeply. If you’ve spent a term with us or elsewhere learning Irish, you’ll be in exactly the right place in this course.

Will I get individual attention?

Yes! I make sure to hear every voice in every class. You will be heard and helped. You will also be known and quickly feel you’re walking down the steps into Cheers, “where everybody knows your name.” Celtic Wisdom School students – and Irish students – are a friendly bunch!

How and when do the gatherings take place?

We meet on Zoom over eight Monday evenings, 6:15-7:30 pm EST: 22 and 29 January; 3, 10, and 26 February; and 4, 11, and 18 March. Please note that we will not meet on 19 February. You’ll receive a link for each week’s gathering twice – in a note on Tuesday and again the following Monday.

How and when will I receive the course materials?

Each week, I’ll email you on Tuesday with three things:

1. A teaching video that explains the week’s lesson
2. A “speak-with-me” video with phrases that you can repeat after me
3. A worksheet with all of the phrases and vocabulary

At the end of our time together, you’ll receive all the worksheets in a pdf booklet.

If I have to miss a session, will you provide a recording?

Yes, everything will be recorded and available to you on a private and secure site. Only members of the course will have access to the recordings.

What if I fall behind or don’t have time to watch the teaching videos?

There is ZERO pressure here. If you can’t get to the teaching videos, I encourage you to join us anyway for class where you’ll have a chance to learn in the moment. And all of the resources will be there waiting for you whenever you have the time and inclination to tune in to them.

Any other policies I should know?

I don’t offer refunds. Before you purchase, if you’d like to get a better sense of my teaching style, you might enjoy sampling some of the videos on my YouTube channel or browsing my blog. You can also take a look at all of my free offerings and books on the Free Teaching & Gifts page.

In a nutshell

• 16 January – 18 March 2024
• 8 Weekly teaching videos
• 8 Weekly “speak with me” videos
• 8 Weekly resource sheets
• 8 Weekly live/online class meetings on Zoom
• A pdf of course materials at the end of the course