Learning Strategies

It's normal to make mistakes when learning, especially when starting to speak the language. To improve speaking skills, there are a few conversational strategies you can use. This includes planning what to say, tracking you progress, and correcting mistakes. Other strategies help when there are gaps in your knowledge. It's important for learners to practice these strategies and take an active role in their own learning.

Teachers should continuously support students in using appropriate strategies everytime that they can, not just discussing them once and moving on. Strategies are an essential part of learning and learners should be encouraged to recognize and develop good strategies they already use and to continue to use them.

Speaking

• Recognize and correct mistakes.

• Identify and fix recurring problems.

• Use phrases like "Cén Ghaeilge atá air...?" or "Conas a deirtear…?" to compensate for knowledge gaps.

• Check progress with questions like "An bhfuil sin ceart?"

• Use fillers like "…ó tá a fhios agat…" or "…cad é mar a déarfá…" to give yourself time to think.

• Paraphrase when you don't know a word.

• Ask if someone understood by saying "An dtuigeann tú cad atá i gceist agam?"

Listening

• Use context to understand unfamiliar words or phrases.

• Let others know if you don't understand by saying "Tá brón orm. Ní thuigim sin."

• Seek clarification with phrases like "Cad é a chiallaíonn…?" or "An féidir leat é sin a mhíniú dom, le do thoil?"

• Ask for something to be repeated using phrases like "Arís, le do thoil."

• Confirm understanding by asking "An é ‘…’ a dúirt tú?" or "An bhfuil tú ag rá …?"

• Ask for slower speech with phrases like "Ar mhiste leat é sin a rá níos moille, le do thoil?"

Learning

• Reflect on your learning methods and identify what helps or hinders you.

• Plan your study time, focusing on weaknesses and difficulties.

• Plan before starting a task.

• Keep track of progress while working on specific tasks and in general.

• Use your existing knowledge to make guesses about new material.

• Repeat words or structures out loud while doing tasks.

• Use dictionaries, grammar books, and other resources for support.

• Prioritize and organize subjects to be learned.

• Take notes or summarize main discussion points.

• Don't hesitate to seek help from your teacher or classmates. Ask for repetition, clarification, advice, or extra examples to enhance your understanding.

• Collaborate with other learners. Work together on assignments, practice conversations, and support each other in the learning process.