Quick Links Kia's Class Mary's Class Wes's Class Will's Class For new students	About Gaeltacht Minnesota Events Subscribe to Free E-zine Latest GaelMinn Gazette Volunteer Page
GaelMinn Home | Dates: schedule, events | All Class | Tools | Amusements

Weekend in Winona, July 11-13

Weekend in Winona is our annual weekend long workshop.

Registration Form now available . . .

. . . along with information about costs, etc. If you have any trouble downloading the form, drop us a line and we can mail you one.

Fee update:

• Register by Monday, June 23, and save $25 on the fee. Early registration fee = $140, after June 23 the fee is $165.
• Lodging: For a bedroom to yourself (shared bath), $90 for the weekend. To share a bedroom, $50 for the weekend.

The common questions and answers below should tell you everything you need to know.

• If you've been before, or if you are definitely planning on coming, jump to "I'm gonna do it" for the most important information. (PLEASE see note immediately below, about the delay in pricing and registration forms.)
• If you are still thinking about it, and need more information to decide if this is for you, start with the questions under "I'd like to know more." Then you may want to come back to the "I'm gonna do it" section for practical details about the event.

By the way . . .

If you know some place a little flyer might help get the word out, please download one and post it or share it.

Ceisteanna agus Freagraí (Questions and Answers)

Just about everything you need to know about our Winona workshop should be answered in one of the following links. If not, e-mail us with your questions and we'll get back to you with specific information.

I'd like to know more about the workshop in general, before I decide . . .

• What is Weekend in Winona?
• If I want to join the Monday evening classes in the Twin Cities, will this get me in?
• What will I learn there?
• Can a beginner really learn anything worthwhile in one weekend?
• Who should attend?
• What about kids?
• How do we spend our time?
• What if I've never studied Irish before, or only a very little bit?
• How do I know I'll end up in the right class at this workshop?

I'm gonna do it, just gimme the details . . .

• How do I enroll?
• What does it cost?
• What do we eat?
• Where will I stay?
• How do I get there?

What is Weekend in Winona?(back to questions)

This is a weekend-long workshop in the Irish Gaelic language, suitable for raw beginners to advanced students. It is held July 11-13 on the campus of St. Mary's University in Winona, MN. We'll gather for supper on Friday evening, and complete our activities with lunch on Sunday.

In addition to a good deal of class time, we'll have evenings of singing, dancing, playing games (ever play "Clue" in Irish?), and general socializing. And we have an amazing Drama Festival.

About the location . . .

Winona is a lovely river town in southeastern Minnesota, in bluffs country on the Mississippi River. It is named for an Indian maiden who threw herself from Maiden's Rock over thwarted love. Our home in Winona is St. Mary's University, a Catholic university offering programs in Winona, in the Twin Cities, and in Rochester.

Will this get me in the Monday evening classes in the Twin Cities?(back to questions)

The short, but incomplete, answer is Yes. Please read the rest of this section!

After completing the beginner class at Winona, you can start attending our Monday evening classes in the Twin Cities.

BUT we won't back up as far as we usually do when we bring new people into the program (for example, after our Community Education Intro class). Now, you'll get more experience at Winona than you do at, say, our April workshop, and we have just recently started over with some new students from April, so we aren't that far along.

But you have to understand that for the first few classes, if you decide to join us, you're going to be doing some catching up. With a little extra effort, you should be just fine in a few weeks -- but we want you to understand how it works with the Winona workshop.

What will I learn there?(back to questions)

If you are a beginner, you will learn the basics of simple conversation, and a good deal about how Irish spelling and sounds are related. You'll get a start on being able to sound out things you see written in Irish, and you will acquire some of the basic vocabulary of the fundamental 'small talk' -- greetings, weather, and beginning dialogue -- that is typical of an Irish conversation.

If you already have these basics, you will spend more time working on the next level of conversation, learning to provide more specific, and less generic, responses to questions. In addition, you'll work with some fundamentals of grammar.

At the more advanced levels, working in the language and applying your knowledge of Irish becomes the focus. Students at the upper levels will hear much less English during the day, and be required to use their speaking, reading, and listening abilities in more novel situations.

More specific goals and activities for each group are worked out as we learn the composition of each class. In other words, we adapt each workshop to reflect the numbers and abilities of the people attending. For more about how we determine your ability in the language, see our placement question .

Can a beginner really learn anything worthwhile in one weekend?(back to questions)

Absolutely! We'll even prove it to you at the event. On Saturday evening, we send our beginner class around to eavesdrop on several typical Irish conversations. With what they've learned, our new students are able to tell which people are talking about the weather, which about being in class, and so on. Obviously, this is something you can't do when you walk in the door on Friday evening, but all of our past beginners have been able to handle this task without much trouble.

Of course, you won't understand every word, and you'll only be able to talk about yourself a little bit, at the end of the weekend. But you will know some basic conversation, you'll have a start on Irish pronunciation, and most importantly, you'll know whether the Irish language is something you want to pursue further.

Who should attend?(back to questions)

Anyone who is interested in the Irish language, whether you already study it or not. There are many reasons why you might like to attend this workshop:

• If you've always been curious, or always meant to try your hand (or your tongue) at the Irish language, to see if you'd like to study it, this is a great way to check it out. Afterwards you may decide to enroll in a class, or to take advantage of other events held in our region and around the country.
• You can be confident of learning in a supportive, friendly environment. You'll be in a group of students of similar ability, whatever your level. Absolute beginners are always an important part of our workshops, so if you're worried about being new to this, you'll be very comfortable.
• More advanced levels are usually smaller groups at our workshops, so you have plenty of opportunities to participate, and speak, during the classes. We have instructors with experience in teaching all levels of students, so you can expect to get a language workout that's appropriate to your abilities.
• You'll meet instructors and volunteers who can answer questions and generate ideas about how to pursue your studies.
• You'll meet other students who struggle with the same problems you do: finding time to study, finding others to work with and converse with, finding materials and resources . . .Instructors and textbooks are not the only sources of solutions. Talking with other learners is a great way to stay motivated, and make progress, with the language.
• It's just plain fun. It's a stimulating way to spend a weekend, among people who share your interest, and with supportive faculty and staff, in a pleasant campus environment. The vast majority of participants at our past workshops have indicated, on our feedback forms, that they would probably attend the next workshop we held. They had a good time while learning something, and so will you.

What about kids?(back to questions)

Younger students are welcome, but we ask you to think about it a little before you sign up a younger student:

• We think it's important that any students who do come want to be there. That is, we welcome younger participants who have expressed an interest in at least trying a bit of the Irish language. We don't recommend dragging a kid along who really has no interest.
• This is, of course, a residential workshop. They'll be in class all day on Saturday, and then social activities carry on into the evening. They have to be able to handle a lengthy day, and to handle the responsibility of living in the dorm, if that's what they do.
• Evenings are social time, with a lot of adults chatting about their interests, perhaps over a beverage. Our adult students are very friendly folks, but again, younger students need to be comfortable (and responsible) in an adult social environment.
• We cannot supervise minors, so they should be accompanied by a parent who is also attending the workshop. Note that alcohol is among the refreshments available in the evening, another reason to ensure that your youngster is supervised.

Rest assured, we have had many teenagers attend with adults and it has worked out very well. We have had even younger students do well at our workshops, but they clearly support for an event of this type.

How do we spend our time?(back to questions)

The workshop begins with supper on Friday evening, July 11. You can pick up your materials just before supper (served at 6 p.m.). After a fine meal together, we'll have some opening remarks to give you the lay of the land, and then you'll have your first class session. We then have class sessions time Saturday morning and afternoon, hold a special group class activity on Saturday evening, and finish Sunday morning.

By the way, even if you aren't staying on campus, we have activities on campus that provide important, and entertaining, cultural connections to the language, so plan on being on campus until about 9:30 on Friday and Saturday evening.

We have coffee breaks along the way, and the last part of Saturday afternoon is free time. There are great hiking trails along the bluffs next to the campus, and the city of Winona is a delightful community to visit. Friday and Saturday evenings we gather on campus for some additional Irish experience, followed by social time. We'll try a few songs together, or do a bit of dancing, and playing games is always popular -- have you ever played "Clue" or "Pictionary" in Irish?

We bring all the classes together for a joint activity after supper on Saturday, before the frolicking begins. There is free time on Sunday morning, to wander about or to attend church, and the workshop concludes with a brunch together at midday on Sunday.

Of course, more details will be sent to you when we acknowledge your registration.

What if I've never studied Irish before, or only a very little bit?(back to questions)

Then this is your chance! Beginners love our workshops.This is a perfect opportunity for you to get a taste of the language, because:

• It requires a very small investment of time and money. No books, tapes, or other materials to buy, no long term commitment, no plane ticket to Ireland. If you decide, after this experience, that you really aren't interested in studying the Irish language seriously, you've just spent one weekend to find that out.
• We work with lots of beginners. Our instructors are experienced in teaching beginners, and you'll have plenty of company as you try to learn some basic conversation in Irish.
• You can make valuable contacts with instructors and others who can point you to resources and share ideas. And other students of all levels can be valuable sources of information for the beginning students.
• Motivation and support can have more to do with your success in a language than books, tapes, and other resources. Our participants leave our workshops excited, ready to tackle Irish seriously -- and looking forward to attending the next workshop, according to the feedback they give us. If you start with an enjoyable, supportive class, and make connections with the instructors and students in the Irish-speaking community, you'll have the best possible beginning to your Irish studies.

How do I know I'll end up in the right class at this workhop?(back to questions)

This is a concern for both the beginner and the more advanced student. We are continually working to improve our ability to meet the needs of students at all levels. That's why we ask you to answer some questions about your language abilities on the placement section of our registration form, to ensure the best fit between student ability and instruction activities.

• When you complete your registration form, we will ask you to also answer a few simple questions about your experience in Irish. We also ask you to tell us what you understand about how to express some simple concepts in Irish.
• As registrations come in, we review the placement information and group students into levels of similar ability. When we aren't sure, from your placement data, where to put you, we may give you a call for more information. (Or we may be able to add information for students who are already known to one of the instructors or staff of the workshop.) We want to take both your ability and your confidence into account in placing you in a section at the workshop.
• Absolute beginners -- people who have never studied the language at all, not even in one of our workshops -- can rest assured that they will be placed in our beginning class.
• Placements are not carved in stone. If, after the workshop begins, you feel that you have been placed in a level that is too hard, or too easy, you are completely free to move to the next section.

Our placement system is designed to make the workshop experience more enjoyable and more worthwhile for you. We have been fairly successful at this sort of placement in our past workshops, so most people find themselves at the right level. And if we aren't quite right, you can easily change.

How do I enroll in the workshop?(back to questions)

You enroll by sending in a registration form, with complete information, and a check ($140 if received by June 23, $165 thereafter). Forms must be received (not postmarked) no later than Saturday, July 5.

But we strongly encourage you to register early and take the $25 discount.

Payment must accompany the registration form, and the placement test part of the form must be completed. We need a form, and a placement test, for each participant, so if several members of the family, or some similar group, want to register together, you can send separate copies of the form for each participant, or you can clearly mark the information for multiple students on one form. In either case, you can pay for everyone with one check.

Also note:

• By submitting the registration, you agree to the conditions listed under "How to Enroll" on our form.
• We need your phone number, so that if there were an emergency (e.g., natural disaster wipes out power in Winona), we can call you.
• If you prefer vegetarian meals, be sure to check the appropriate box on the form. See more about meals below, so you can decide which types of meals to sign up for.
• You can indicate your lodging preferences on the registration form as well. Note that "single" is a bedroom to yourself, but two bedrooms share a bath, kitchen, and living area. See the lodging question for more information.

How much does it cost to attend?(back to questions)

You can attend the workshop for $140 IF your registration reaches us by Monday, June 23. After that, it will cost $165. (Registration due by July 5, no matter what.)

Fees cover all materials and instructions, all meals, and refreshments for both coffee breaks and evening social time.

Lodging is extra: if you wish to stay on campus, and vary affordable, but space is limited: another good reason to register early. Please see the next question for more about the lodging on campus. (Cost is $90 for the weekend for a "single", $50 for shared, but please see the next question for what we mean by a "single", in which you still share some space.)

Where do I stay?(back to questions)

We have lodging available, at a ridiculously good rate, on campus in the dorms.You can get a map of campus and directions here.

Please Note:

• Final location can change at the last minute! For example, last year we ended up with a better location because another group had canceled. So even after you register, keep an eye on the site for last minute news (and, of course, we'll give you the final scoop when you check in at the University).
• If you have been with us in past years, you may want to know that we will be in a different dormitory this year.

The Dorm

This year, we'll be staying in the "New Village" apartments. These are a cluster of small buildings, in which a pair of bedrooms, each containing two beds, shares a common bathroom and kitchen. They are on the edge of campus, a short stroll from our classrooms, and from our lunch and supper location.

Lodging Fees:

• "Single": $90 for the weekend. Note:This is one of the two bedrooms in the suite to yourself, with no one using the other bed. You still share a bath, kitchen, and living space with the other bedroom, if it is occupied.
• "Shared": $50 for the weekend. This means that both beds in the bedroom will be occupied, and the pair of you will share a bath with the other bedroom.

If you are a couple, a parent and child, etc., you will want to select "shared" for each of you on your forms, and let us know you are together. In other words, a couple would pay for two shared rooms, at $100 total for the weekend, but they would be in two single beds in the same bedroom.

We generally don't have to fill both bedrooms, so it would be rare for four people to be sharing one bathroom. Apartments are air-conditioned.

IF demand should exceed supply, and you request a room in the dorm, we will call you immediately to let you know so you can pursue other arrangements.

Other Options

Of course, some people stay with friends and relatives in the region, or live close enough to commute.

And others may choose to stay in a B&B or local hotel, for whatever reason. Go to VisitWinona and click on "Places to Stay".

What do we eat?(back to questions)

Your fee covers the main meals -- Friday supper through Sunday brunch -- along with morning and afternoon coffee breaks on Saturday.

Vegetarian vs. Meat

Vegetarian entrees are available at all meals. Even if you are not a vegetarian, you may want to consider selecting vegetarian meals if you avoid certain foods (e.g., pork). We cannot allow you to mix vegetarian and meat entrees, you'll have to go one way or the other for the entire weekend.

Here is a brief summary of the menus for the weekend. If you have questions, contact us.

Breakfasts:

• Saturday breakfast is through a cafeteria line, with plenty of options.
• Sunday morning we usually just offer coffee and bagels, etc., at a central location.

Special Needs

If you have special dietary needs, let us know and we will see what St. Mary's catering can do. But please be understanding -- we keep this workshop affordable in part by simplifying our options, and there is only so much room to maneuver with our order with the University catering services.

How do I get there?(back to questions)

You can reach Winona by car, bus, or rail. And you can shuttle to Minnesota from nearby airports.

• CAR: Winona is just over a two-hour drive from the Twin Cities. It is about 45 minutes from Rochester, and less than half an hour from LaCrosse. Interstate 90 passes right by Winona, for travelers from Wisconsin, Illinois, or South Dakota.
• AIR: Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is the nearest major airport. Also note that La Crosse, WI has daily service to and from Chicago. If you fly in, please let us know your plans and we can help get you a ride (allow about 2.5 hours from the Twin Cities to get to Winona and check in). There are also shuttles between these airports and Winona.
• TRAIN: Amtrak's Empire Builder, connecting Chicago and St. Paul, stops in Winona.
• BUS: Greyhound reaches Winona from many locations, including the Twin Cities, Rochester, LaCrosse, and Chicago.

If you take a plane, train, bus, or shuttle, let us know your travel details and we'll try to arrange a ride with someone from the airport or station to the event.

Comments and questions are welcome via e-mail

(our e-mail address, broken down to reduce spam from 'spambots', is info at gaelminn dot org)