RESOURCES FOR LEARNING IRISH

Here are the resources I consider essential to learn how to speak Irish.

NATIVE
SPEAKERS:
170,000

OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE IN:
IRELAND

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.



FAVORITE COURSES AND APPS TO IMPROVE YOUR IRISH

Glossika Irish - Sentences and repetition are used to teach. Glossika teaches you Gaelic in context by combining the "mass sentence approach" with an innovative spaced repetition system. This course is ideal for upper-beginner to advanced students.

Assimil Irish - The Assimil method for teaching foreign languages is through the listening of audio cd's and the reading of an accompanying book, one side native language, one side foreign language. This method is focused on learning whole sentences, for an organic learning of the grammar. It begins with a long passive phase of only reading and listening, and eventually adds active exercises.

Ling - Learn and play with Master Ling, an interactive platform filled with language courses, quizzes, and fun mini-games! Lessons are taught through engaging games, such as picture matching, flashcards, and sentence arrangement to keep you up and going. Plus, it’s got an engaging chatbot you can practice with!

Mango Languages - Mango utilizes its proprietary methodology, engaging interface, and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for new languages. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations.

Bluebird Languages - Bluebird uses the proven “spaced repetition” learning method to optimize both acquisition and retention. This, combined with instruction in 97% of the world’s most-spoken languages and our special building-block approach, will have you speaking and understanding the language of your choice in record time.

Oideas Gael – This is where you can learn to speak Irish in a conversational manner. If you have the opportunity to visit to Ireland, you must take this course.

All About Irish – From the author of the Michel Thomas Irish course, mini-lessons in blog post style, as well as online group and private sessions.

IRISH TUTORS: PRACTICE WITH NATIVE SPEAKERS

My method to learning a new language is to speak it from the beginning. I recommend the following tool for this:

Italki - On Skype, it links you with native Irish speakers for spoken practice. You may pay for (affordable) one-on-one video sessions with Irish teachers or discover a free language exchange partner! This link will take you directly to the site's Irish instructors.

LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE IN IRISH

Living Language - Irish Gaelic, Complete Edition is a unique multimedia course in Irish Gaelic that takes you from a beginner to an advanced level in one convenient package.

Colloquial Irish - Specially written by experienced teachers, this easy to use and completely up-to-date course provides a step-by-step approach to spoken and written Irish with no prior knowledge of the language required.

Teach Yourself: Complete Irish Beginner to Intermediate Course - Complete Irish with Two Audio CDs: A Teach Yourself Guide provides you with a clear and comprehensive approach to Irish, so you can progress quickly from the basics to understanding, speaking, and writing Irish with confidence.

Short Stories in Irish for Beginners - Short stories has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Eight captivating stories will entertain you in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn from a wide range of new vocabulary, and give you a feeling of progress when reading.

RESOURCES FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED IRISH LEARNERS

Clozemaster - Answers the question: after Duolingo, what's next? Clozemaster aids in the quick expansion of your vocabulary by allowing you to learn Irish in context. You'll utilize the Cloze technique to fill in the blanks in thousands of Irish phrases. The sentences you'll learn are far more practical than the ones you'll learn on Duolingo.

IRISH LEARNING WEBSITES YOU MUST USE

In your Irish study sessions, you'll come back to these materials again and again.

Forvo – Find out how to pronounce any Irish word. Simply put the word you're looking for into the search bar in Irish!

Irish Dictionary Online – Teanglann.ie is the best online Irish-English dictionary, featuring a variety of dictionary choices and tabs for grammatical look-ups and other features.

START SPEAKING IRISH RIGHT NOW

Pimsleur – The Pimsleur method is perfect for you if you want to start speaking right away. Learn anywhere, anytime in just 30 minutes a day. Learn a language while cooking, commuting, exercising and more! Have the flexibility to practice when it’s convenient for you.