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Liverpool families to form Irish language playgroup
By Tony Birtill
A group of Liverpool-Irish families are in the process of forming an
Irish language playgroup in the city.
The parents, most of whom are members of St. Michael’s Irish Centre,
hope to run the playgroup there for around two hours on Saturday mornings.
Ambreena Manji and her husband, Kerryman John Harrington, are just two
of those getting involved.
She said: “The emphasis would be on playing, singing, storytelling
and so forth. It would be an informal gathering for parents and children
aged up to four years.”
The couple are bringing up their two-year-old son bilingually and are
looking for opportunities for him to socialise more widely with children
of his own age.
Ambreena said: “His English is now overtaking his Irish especially
in full sentences. He needs more opportunities to speak Irish.
“It has been shown in research that as English overtakes the second
language it is very important that children have access to the second
language, so they can learn from other kids.”
The couple say they have had a good response from other parents to the
plan, but more children are still needed for the playgroup. Crucially,
they also need someone to lead it.
Ambreena said: “Ideally we would like someone who is currently doing
teacher-training in Liverpool and could commit to two hours on a Saturday
morning.”
Anyone interested in the playgroup can e-mail John and Ambreena on sugradh@yahoo.co.uk
or ring St. Michael’s Irish Centre on 0151 263 1808. |
