In Welcome Home to Irish, you’ll learn the essentials of 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’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 21 January 2025, each Tuesday you’ll receive two brief video lessons and a resource sheet with all the phrases and words for the week.
• Each Wednesday evening, we’ll meet on Zoom to practice and enjoy what you’re learning. You’ll be speaking and understanding Irish from the very first class!
• 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 Wednesday, 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 Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45 pm, EST:

• 29 January
• 5 February
• 12 February
• 19 February
• 26 February
• 5 March
• 12 March
• 19 March

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 home to Irish!

FAQ

Do I need to be of Irish descent to take part?

Absolutely not! If you are interested in Irish language, folklore, music, or culture, you will be right at home. People of all backgrounds, races, and identities are warmly welcome to join us.

What if I’m a complete beginner?

We’re starting with the things you’ll need to become an Irish speaker quickly and with as much pleasure as possible. You’ll be speaking in the very first class. No prior experience required!

What if I’m NOT a beginner?

I always say that learning Irish is a spiral journey: we come round to the start and pick up more than we did the first time. For most of us, it takes more than one introduction to the essentials to really come to grips with them. At the same time, if you are already a proficient speaker with a very firm grasp of the basics, this may not be the course for you. Wait a few months for our “part two” in April 2025. But if you want to review and have a lovely time in a fun community, join us!

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 Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:45 pm EST: 29 January; 5, 12, 19, 26 February; and 5, 12, 19 March. You’ll receive a link for each week’s gathering twice – in a note on Tuesday and again on Monday afternoon.

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’m terrible with languages?

Everyone, and I mean everyone, can learn to speak giota beag Gaeilge – a little bit of Irish. That means that YOU can, too. I’ve taught hundreds of students, so I can guarantee that you’ll pick up some treasures. Our aim is not perfection but connection. You can do this, and I’ll be here to help!

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

• 21 January – 19 March 2025
• 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