It was launched this year and it will really help your Irish, even if you only spend 10 minutes a day on it. There are hundreds of Irish language websites on the Internet but this one stood out for me because of how up-to-date it is, and the fact that Irish can be heard on it. I would recommend a visit to this site for a beginner (it is very user-friendly), for someone who wants to improve the Irish they do have (it is suitable for all levels) and for an Irish teacher (there are teaching materials available on this site).
The difference between this site and others is that it is very appealing as soon as the webpage is launched. It is full of colors and the student learns by having fun with the language. There is a "Word of the day," which is also put in a sentence and has an accompanying flashcard, all with sound. It is so important to be able
to hear the language being spoken, and on this site the student can listen and re-listen to the each word, sentence, phrase and hear Irish in its correct context. There is an extensive "fun to use" dictionary and many games to play, all having sound attached. All applications can be downloaded to your computer, iPod or cell phone which means the Irish language can be with you wherever you go!
There is a forum where students can discuss their experience of the language and how they are getting on with their learning. Questions can be posted and there are on-site experts there to help. These experts also keep an eye on what's going on in the forum as they want to promote correct Irish. This is a fantastic sign, as I have come across an Irish language website where people with a little Irish are helping people with no Irish at all. The ones with no Irish might want to get an Irish tattoo, find an Irish baby name, or get the correct spelling for an engraving on a wedding ring or a head stone - but they are getting incorrect Irish language advice. I was in a pub one night and a man wanted to show me his "Irish" tattoo. When he pulled up the sleeve of his shirt, I saw a tattoo but the grammar and spelling of the word were completely wrong in Irish, I didn't have the heart to tell him as he was so very proud of it. One can get a lot of help on talkirish.com, so check it out.
There is a sort of Irish language community on this website where one is encouraged and supported while learning the language. There are thousands of members from all over the world on this site. In 2010, talkirish.com plan on launching a "proverb of the day" service and also a talkirish 'app' for the iphone. Talkirish.com received both the Best Education/Third Level Website award and the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland award this year. Congratulations -- the website really deserves them. Keep up the good work.
I mo thuairim is fearr Gaeilge a mh_ineadh i gcaoi thaitneamhach, simpl
