May 2025-2

The Language Corner

Multicultural Club The Multicultural Club has had a very successful year in Coláiste Bríde.

The club continues at lunchtime on Tuesdays and we are looking forward to welcoming you all next year. Wishing you the best for the holidays.

The Language Corner

May 2025

SCHOOL IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES Many of our students have been to school in different countries. Here Samantha and Evelina tell us about their experiences of school in Zimbabwe and Moldova S ch o o l in Zimb ab we

S ch o o l in Mo l do va

S c h o o l l i f e i n Z i m b abwe i s a n important part of a student's g row t h . C h i l d re n at t e n d b o t h g ove r n m e n t a n d p r ivat e s c h o o l s, w i t h g ove r n m e n t s c h o o l s b e i n g m o re c o m m o n d u e t o t h e i r a ffo rd ab i l i t y. T h e s c h o o l d ay s t a r t s e a r ly, a ro u n d 7 : 3 0 a m , a n d i n c l u d e s a m i x o f l e s s o n s, b re ak s, a n d ex t r a c u r r i c u l a r a c t iv i t i e s l i ke s p o r t s. S u b j e c t s s u c h a s E n g l i s h , M at h , S c i e n c e, and S o c i al S t u d i e s a re t a u g h t , a n d s t u d e n t s al s o e n g ag e i n p hy s i c al e d u c at i o n a n d a r t s.

D u r i n g s c h o o l b re ak s, s t u d e n t s p l ay g a m e s a n d s o c i al i z e w i t h f r i e n d s, bu i l d i n g important rel at i o n s h i p s and learning t e a m wo rk . I n r u r al a re a s, s c h o o l s m ay f a c e c h al l e n g e s l i ke l i m i t e d re s o u rc e s a n d l o n g d i s t a n c e s, bu t s t u d e n t s a n d t e a c h e r s re m a i n d e d i c at e d t o l e a r n i n g . D e s p i t e the c h al l e n g e s, e d u c at i o n is h i g h ly val u e d i n Z i m b abwe, a n d students s t r ive fo r s u c c e s s, k n ow i n g t h at i t i s t h e ke y t o a b r i g h t e r f u t u re.

By Samantha Mazvitaishe Muzarurwi 1 s t Ye a r, Ra n g C a o i m h í n

I at t e n d e d s c h o o l i n M o l d ova fo r o n e y e a r a n d a h al f s o I d o n’t h ave a l o t o f o p i n i o n s t o s h a re, al t h o u g h I h ave a n aly s e d the e d u c at i o n al s y s t e m t h e re a n d I t h i n k i t i s s t r i c t e r. T h i s m i g h t m ake a l o t o f p e o p l e t h i n k i t i s b e t t e r bu t i t re al ly i s n ' t . T h e p re s s u re m ake s a l o t o f students learn not because of the b e n e f i t s i t o p e n s a n d t h e p r iv i l e g e s i t p rov i d e s. O f c o u r s e, c a s e s a re d i ff e re n t , a n d s t u d e n t s c re at e t h e i r ow n mindset of e d u c at i o n .

I p e r s o n al ly l ove I rel a n d ’s e d u c at i o n al s y s t e m m o re b e c a u s e o f t h e k i n d e r a n d s m a r t e r ap p ro a c h t o t e a c h i n g , a n d ove r al l s c h o o l l i f e. T h e m at e r i al t a u g h t i n M o l d ova i s h a rd e r fo r ag e l evel s, I think.

E d u c at i o n in M o l d ova is most d e f i n i t ely i n f l u e n c e d by t h e e d u c at i o n s y s t e m f ro m the S ov i e t Union u n l i ke I rel a n d . T h e s y s t e m o f e d u c at i o n i n I rel a n d i s m o s t ly b a s e d o n we s t e r n E u ro p e a n s t a n d a rd s.

T h at i s my p e r s o n al d i ff e re n t i at i o n s b e t we e n b o t h e d u c at i o n s y s t e m s.

T h a n k yo u fo r yo u r t i m e.

B y E vel i n a D a r i i , 1 s t Ye a r, Ra n g L o rc á n

t t

The Language Corner

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MAy 2025

A Focus on Culture

Mauritius

Sofia, a 1st year student in our school, describes Mauritius and its traditions The Culture of Mauritius: A Beautiful Mix

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with a rich and diverse culture. Over the years, people from different parts of the world like India, Africa, China, and Europe have settled here, creating a unique and colourful way of life.

A Mix of People and Traditions

Mauritius is home to different ethnic groups, including Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, Chinese, and Europeans. Each group has kept its traditions, and they all live together peacefully, making the island a special place.

Languages and Religion

People in Mauritius speak many languages, such as Creole, French, English, Indian and Chinese languages. The island also has different religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Many festivals, like Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Chinese New Year, are celebrated with joy.

Music and Dance

Sega is the traditional music and dance of Mauritius. It has African roots and is performed with lively beats and energetic moves. Other musical influences from India, China, and Europe make the music scene in Mauritius diverse and exciting.

Delicious Food

Mauritian food is a mix of Indian, Creole, Chinese, and European flavours. Popular dishes include dholl puri (flatbread with yellow split peas), rougaille (a tasty tomato-based dish), and Chinese-style fried noodles. Street food, like gateaux piments (chili fritters) and samosas, is also very popular.

The Language Corner

MAy 2025

A Focus on Culture Clothing and Handicrafts People in Mauritius usually wear western clothes, but for special events, they dress in traditional outfits like Indian sarees, Chinese cheongsams, and Creole dresses. The island is also known for beautiful handmade crafts, like model ships and woven baskets.

A Peaceful and Friendly Nation Mauritius is known for its peaceful way of life, where different cultures live together in harmony. The mix of traditions, food, music, and festivals makes it a wonderful place to visit and experience.

Mauritius is a great example of how people from different backgrounds can come together to create a beautiful and welcoming culture.

Tourism Tourism in Mauritius is very important for the country. Many people visit the island to enjoy its beautiful beaches, clear, blue sea, and warm weather. Tourists also like to see waterfalls, nature parks, and colorful temples. Mauritius has a mix of cultures, and visitors enjoy the local food and festivals. Tourism gives jobs to many people, like hotel workers, taxi drivers, and tour guides. It helps the country grow and stay connected with the rest of the world.

By Sofia Jeeroburkan, 1st Year, Rang Maolruain

The Language Corner

MAy 2025

Festival Celebrations Leah and Zofia tell us about some Polish traditions Polish Traditions Hello my name is Leah Zablocka, My family is from Poland. I am going to tell you our traditions and what I do when I go to Poland.

Here are some celebrations we have in Poland.

On January 21st we celebrate Grandmother’s day and on the 22nd of January we celebrate Grandfather’s day.

At Easter we make a small basket filled with food and we bring it to the church, so the priest can bless it.

On April 21st we celebrate something called Dyngus day. The tradition is to grab a bucket or bottle of water and pour it on your family or friends.

On the 1st of June we have Children's Day. On the 24th of December we do something called Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper. In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day of fasting first, then of feasting! The Wigilia feast usually begins when the first star appears in the sky.

Poland in the Summer In the summer, I go to Poland to visit my family. My grandparents live in the middle of the forest, and I have a great time walking around it.

There is also a lake that you can swim in. I love picking blueberries from my grandparents’ garden, and many more fruits too.

I absolutely love going to Poland during the summer because I always have a great time!

By Leah Zablocka, 1st Year, Rang Maolruain

The Language Corner

Polish Independence Day Polish Independence Day (Narodowe Świeto Niepodległości) is a public Holiday in Poland celebrated on the 11th of November to commemorate the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty from the German Austro -Hungarian and Russian empires in 1918. Poland’s Independence Day is celebrated with multiple ceremonious gatherings, parades, religious services and cultural events.

Narodowe Święto Niepodległości jest świętem państwowym w Polsce obchodzonym 11 listopada na pamiątkę odzyskania przez Polskę niepodległości od imperiów niemieckiego, austro-węgierskiego i rosyjskiego w 1918 roku. Święto Niepodległości Polski obchodzone jest wieloma uroczystymi zgromadzeniami, paradami, nabożeństwami religijnymi i wydarzeniami kulturalnymi.

By Zofia Taranek, 5th Year, Rang Cormac

MAY 2025

Dancing into my Heritage Joy in 1st year is Nigerian and here she tells us about her traditional Igbo dance crew...

Hi! My name is Joy, and I am part of a traditional Igbo kids dance crew! If you don't know what that means, let me break it down. I am Nigerian, but my parents come from 2 different tribes. My mom is Benin from Edo state and my dad is Igbo from Delta state, Anioma to be precise.

My Dad is part of a committee called Izu Anioma Ireland, a nationwide group for Igbo people like him where they can discuss issues and embrace their heritage. Every year all the groups from different counties come together for a big celebration and that’s where I and the dance crew come in.

The women of the committee decided in a meeting that it would be a good idea for the children to perform and, I’m not going to lie, I was quite sceptical at first, but my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to be more immersed in my heritage. So, I went to the first practice, literally shaking in my boots. Luckily I saw some familiar faces, plus my sister was there, so it was okay. Practice after practice after practice later, I started to get the hang of it. I even started to enjoy it !

Today is the day! Twas the night of my big and slightly dreaded performance. I was nervous but encouraging words from my family and the totally cute Akwa ocha lightened the load.

Rewind! If you don't know what akwa ocha is, it's a really beautiful traditional. handmade woven fabric worn for important occasions such as weddings, birthdays and funerals. It is a highly valued attire and it also serves as a token of identification. In this case, I wore it for the big celebration. Before I knew it, the others and I got called to stage. I was so nervous but once I started dancing it was almost hard to stop!

It was really the best! And not to brag, but I think I'm quite good too!

By Joy Afam, 1st Year, Rang Cillian

The Language Corner