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Unit 2 - How old are these languages?
The unit encourages students to think about the history of Celtic languages. Students should also consider how languages are kept alive, and what they represent culturally.
This Lesson supports the delivery of the Learning for Life and Work: Local and Global Citizenship Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
- Discuss
- Share
- Reflect
- Resources
Discuss / Think
In small groups, use Info Sheet 2 as a stimulus to discuss and record answers on Worksheet 2 to the following questions:
- Does it surprise you that Irish is one of the oldest recorded languages in the world today? Why/why not?
- Why do you think the Celtic languages have survived for so long?
- How can people ensure that language and other traditions of culture are continued and preserved?
Share
Each group feeds back their work so that the teacher can use this as a springboard for a short discussion about traditions and heritage. This could lead onto a further discussion about the celebration of culture.
Reflect
As a class, reflect on the learning below:
Learning points
- Identify how old ‘Old Irish’ is
- Discuss how and why celtic languages such as ‘Old Irish’ have survived throughout the centuries and discuss how they can continue to be celebrated
Next time
- Look at the film ‘What the Focal?’ to open up a discussion on what we consider to be ‘our’ cultural heritage and whether language is a part of it
