The history of our institution
Hungarian School and Preschool Cork began operating under the Cork Hungarian Cultural Club on 12 September 2010. We started with 13 pupils in the Nasc (Irish Immigrant Support Centre) building in Cork city centre.
As our numbers have continued to grow, we now hold our classes in the classrooms of a local primary school, providing a more child-friendly, comfortable environment that is better suited to the children’s needs.
Classes are held on Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00, from September until the end of May, for children aged 3 to 14.
The preschool
Learning Through Play
Through Hungarian fairy tales, poems, songs, rhymes and traditional games, children naturally expand their vocabulary, develop their language skills and become more confident in expressing themselves in Hungarian.
Our preschool programme also helps children develop the skills they need for a positive and confident start to school.
Through playful and age-appropriate activities, we support their social, emotional, language and learning development, laying strong foundations for their future education.
In our preschool group, we welcome children aged 3 to 5. Through storytelling, Hungarian folk songs, circle games, creative activities and play, children discover and practise the Hungarian language in a fun, engaging and age-appropriate way.
Our aim is to support each child’s development while nurturing their connection to the Hungarian language, culture, customs and traditions. Through shared experiences and playful learning, we help children build confidence in using Hungarian and develop a strong connection to their Hungarian heritage.
The school
First Group – Alphabet Elves
In this group, children are introduced to the Hungarian alphabet and the basics of writing in a playful and engaging way.
Children become familiar with Hungarian cursive writing while learning new words, nursery rhymes, poems and traditional folk songs.
Through playful, experience-based activities, we develop speaking, vocabulary and everyday language skills
while introducing children to the unique sounds, rhythm and richness of the Hungarian language.
Our aim is to help children develop a love for the Hungarian language and build strong foundations for confident communication, reading and writing.
Second Group – Feather Twirlers
This group builds on the foundations developed in the Alphabet Elves group.
Children continue exploring the Hungarian alphabet, moving on to more complex letters and sounds. New letters are practised through words, writing exercises, playful activities and conversation.
We focus on expanding vocabulary, developing sentence-building skills and strengthening the foundations of Hungarian reading and writing.
Through Hungarian proverbs, folk tales, rhymes and traditional stories, children also discover the richness of Hungarian folk culture, traditions and heritage,
deepening both their language skills and their connection to Hungarian culture.
Third Group – Language Adventurers
This group is designed for children who already use Hungarian with greater confidence.
Children complete their knowledge of the Hungarian alphabet and begin using it more confidently in reading and writing.
We focus on reading comprehension, creative writing, storytelling and expressing ideas clearly.
Through poems, songs, stories and a variety of creative activities, children have opportunities to develop both their spoken and written Hungarian.
Our aim is for children to use Hungarian naturally, creatively and confidently in a variety of situations, while continuing to strengthen their connection to the language and culture.
Groups Based on Language Skills
This approach allows us to provide each child with the right level of support and challenge, taking their individual abilities into account and helping them develop their Hungarian language skills with confidence and at their own pace.