Canadian opportunity for Irish speaking postgrads

The Irish Language Awards Programme 2009/2010 provides postgraduate students who are planning a career in teaching and are fluent in Irish the chance to land an Irish-language teaching assistantship in one of the following Candadian universities:

• St Mary's University
• Concordia University
• St Michael's College
• Memorial University
• St Francis Xavier
• Ottawa University

All these colleges offer substantive courses in the Irish language.

The scholarships are provided by the Irish Canada University Foundation (www.icuf.ie) with funding from Ciste na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Fund) and the Dept of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

According to the ICUF, students who meet the following criteria should apply:

Young scholars who are completely fluent in both speaking and writing the Irish language and have experience in teaching it to beginners.

• Postgraduate students and/or recently qualified teachers who are planning teaching careers in Ireland, who are interested in expanding their teaching experience and knowledge of Canadian culture which will enrich their teaching when back home in Ireland
• Individuals who will enjoy taking an active part in the student life in a Canadian university, living in on campus student accommodation
• Outgoing enterprising persons with good interpersonal skills who will welcome the challenge and experience of living and teaching in a Canadian university
• Scholars with a real interest in learning about other cultures and meeting people with diverse backgrounds
• Persons with an interest in Irish music, dance, and literature, who are willing to act as cultural ambassadors for Ireland and share their interests with Canadian students.

The closing date for applications is Friday, the 3rd of April 2009.

Please contact Professor John Kelly at info@icuf.ie for further information.
Application forms are available on www.icuf.ie