Establishing the Professional Practice of Language Coaching in Ireland for the First Time

An event was held in the offices of Údarás na Gaeltachta today to mark the achievements of the first cohort of professional learners to obtain a new qualification in Language Coaching.

University of Limerick (UL) certificates were presented to the group who successfully completed the online Micro-Credential GA6172 An Chóitseáil Teanga san Ionad Oibre / Language Coaching in the Workplace, in Spring Semester 2024. Participants included language planning officers, Irish language officers in the public service, and professionals working in business and education sectors.

Language coaching is a new professional practice in Ireland. It aims to support learners to draw on their strengths to become more effective and more independent in the language learning process. Some examples of themes discussed in language coaching sessions are tackling language anxiety, setting goals, and motivational issues.

Speaking about the programme at the event, Dr Yvonne Cleary, Head of the School of English, Irish, and Communication, UL said “congratulations to all involved in this unique and exciting Micro-Credential. This first cohort of students have benefited from a transformational curriculum that supports language learning and development and fosters inclusive language practices in workplace settings. They will have an enormous impact as language coaches and leaders in sustainable language support in their professional practice”.

Aoife Ní Chonchúir, a participant in the programme: said

“I really benefitted from the course. I learned new skills in language coaching that will allow me to support Irish language learners more effectively.”

Siubhán Nic Grianna, Language Planning Manager, Údarás na Gaeltachta commented that

“We are extremely pleased that this partnership between us and the University of Limerick exists. We know that Irish language classes often help in terms of raising language ability, but something extra is needed to build a bridge between the classroom and daily usage. This Language Coaching course attempts to tackle that gap, to strengthen Irish as a living language in client companies and in the workplace throughout the Gaeltacht.”

Dr Deirdre Ní Loingsigh, course leader, acknowledged the collaboration of Dr Catherine Martin, School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics, UL (co-lecturer), and the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Ní Loingsigh outlined the scope of language coaching as a new language support infrastructure for the Irish language, and UL plans to develop research and practice in the field.

The next programme will take place in Spring 2025 and Dr Sarah Brady, UL Micro-Credential Project Manager announced that there would be a 50% reduction in fees under the HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy Further Information: Graduate and Professional Studies, University of Limerick ‘HCI Fóirdheontas na dTáillí MicriDhintiúr d’Foghlaimeoirí’
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