Immersion Week

Butte , Montana

July 19 – 26

Immersion Camps : The first immersion camps in Irish language and culture were organized in the Gaeltachtaí (Irish-speaking districts) of Ireland in 1901 and quickly became a corner-stone in the movement to preserve Ireland 's ancient Gaelic culture. It was here that students encountered the living culture, learned the language, the music and dance and returned home to share their learning and experience within their own communities. The importance of these camps in saving the culture from extinction is undeniable. The course offered in Butte this summer is designed to give students the same experience with the hope that they, in turn, will help in the movement here in the United States to preserve and promote their ancestral culture.

Location : The course will be offered at Montana Tech, in Butte . Butte was the entry-point for the majority of the Irish in the state. It was a town built by the Irish, for the Irish and has a distinct Irish flavor to it.

Curriculum : The course is a non-credit course and is open to all who desire to experience Irish culture. The main objective is to impart a conversational knowledge of the Irish language and to teach students the steps of popular Céilí and set dances. Classes begin at 9:00 and conclude at 5:00. There is a break between 12:00 and 2:30 for lunch and recreational activity. The evening program commences at 7:00 and varies from night to night to include dances, music and video presentations, talks and tours of the old town of Butte . There is also a day-trip to the capitol, Helena , one day during this week. All classes are taught by professional teachers with the aid of Irish language teaching assistants from The University of Montana [UM] Irish Studies program. These young students have been learning Irish and how to teach the language as part of their course at UM.

Accommodation : For those coming from out-of-state there is room and board available in Butte on the Montana Technical College campus. To view the facilities, please go to www.mtech.edu . Arrangements can also be made to pick you up from the airport in Butte by contacting me at erin@irishmontana.com with your name, flight number and time of arrival.

Registration : If you wish to participate, please fill out the form below. You may submit your registration form and pay online using paypal, or you can also download your application and forward the completed form with payment to: IrishMontana, 522 Cottonwood St. , Missoula , MT 59801 . Please make all checks out to IrishMontana.

Since space is limited, we urge you to make your plans and reservations as soon as possible.