Fios is Freagairt (4MB cruth PDF)

Gaelic medium
Education in Scotland:
a guide for parents
Fios is
freagairt

CLÀR-INNSE
Roghainn fiosraichte ....................... 4
Ceum air thoiseach .......................... 8
Buannachdan dà-chànanais ......... 12
Foghlam ro-sgoile ........................ 16
Foghlam bun-sgoile ...................... 20
Foghlam àrd-sgoile ...................... 24
Iomairtean Foghlam Gàidhlig eile .. 28
As dèidh na sgoile .......................... 32
Taic phàrantan .............................. 36
Ceistean cumanta .......................... 40
Buidhnean .................................... 52
Fiosrachadh feumail ...................... 56

Informing choices ........................... 5
A head start .................................... 9
The advantages of bilingualism .... 13
Pre-school education ................... 17
Primary education ........................ 21
Secondary education ................... 25
Other Gaelic education initiatives .. 29
On leaving school ......................... 33
Parental support .......................... 37
FAQs ............................................. 41
Organisations ............................... 53
Useful contacts ............................. 57
Foillsichte le Comann nam
Pàrant (Nàiseanta)
Le taing do:
Comunn na Gàidhlig
Iomairt na Gaidhealtachd
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Cailean MacIlleathain aig Skye
Media airson na dealbhan
Sgoilearan Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh
agus Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse
Sgoilearan Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh
Gach neach eile a thug taic leis
an leabhar
CONTENTS

Ged nach biodh buidheann Comann nam Pàrant
anns an sgìre agaibh faodaidh sibh fi os a chur
chun Oifi geir Phàrant airson comhairle no stiùir
mu fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig no càil
sam bith eile a thaobh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig leis
ur cuid chloinne.
Comann nam Pàrant, 5 Caolshràid Mhìcheil, Inbhir
Nis IV2 3HQ F: 01463 234138 fi os@parant.org.uk
www.parant.org.uk
Tha na taghaidhean a nì sibh a
thaobh foghlam ur cuid chloinne fìor
chudromach agus ’s e aon de na
co-dhùnaidhean as cudromaiche a
bhios agaibh dè chànan anns am
faigh iad an sgoilearachd. ’S e an
leabhran seo bho Chomann nam
Pàrant a’ chiad tè ann an sreath de
leabhrain a thathas an dòchas a bheir
cuideachadh do phàrantan leis an
roghainn seo.
Tha còrr is trithead buidheann ionadail
Comann nam Pàrant air feadh Alba,
a’ riochdachadh phàrantan le clann
ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig bho ro-sgoil gu àrd-sgoil. San
fharsaingeachd tha buidhnean air an
stèidheachadh far a bheil foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig air a thabhann
agus thathar a moladh do phàrantan
fi os a chur chun a’ bhuidhinn Comann
nam Pàrant ionadail aca nuair a tha iad
a’ beachdachadh air nì sam bith
co-cheangailte ri foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig.
ROGHAINN FIOSRAICHTE Tuilleadh Fiosrachaidh
4

The choices you make regarding your
child’s education are important and
one of the most crucial decisions may
be the language you choose to educate
your child in. This Comann nam Pàrant
booklet, which is one in a series of
booklets for parents, will hopefully
help inform that choice.
Comann nam Pàrant is a network of more
than thirty local groups, representing the
interests of parents whose children are
educated through the medium of Gaelic
from pre-school through to secondary.
Groups are generally located where there
is Gaelic medium provision and parents
are advised to make contact with their
local Comann nam Pàrant group when
considering any aspect of Gaelic medium
education.
fi nd out more
Even if there is no Comann nam Pàrant
group in your area you can contact
the Parental Offi cer for information or
advice on any aspect of Gaelic medium
education or any other issues regarding
you or your child’s use of Gaelic.
Comann nam Pàrant , 5 Mitchell’s Lane,
Inverness, IV2 3HQ T: 01463 234138
fi os@parant.org.uk www.parant.org.uk
5
INFORMING CHOICES

6
Thagh mi fhèin agus an duine agam foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig airson ar cuid chloinne airson anns a’ chiad àite, cha
robh mòran sam bith de Bheurla aca an uair a chaidh iad dhan
sgoil an toiseach. ’S e Gàidhlig an cànan a bhios sinn a’ bruidhinn
aig an taigh agus an cànan a tha againn gu nàdarrachd. Bha sinn
airson gun cumadh a’ chlann leotha leis a’ Ghàidhlig agus bha sinn
cinnteach gur e foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a dhèanadh
cinnteach gun tachaireadh seo.
Tha sinn cho toilichte gu bheil a’ chlann anns a’ Ghàidhlig agus
tha e còrdadh riutha fhèin gu mòr. Tha Beurla cho làidir agus
tha i gu bhith aca co-dhiù agus tha mi smaoineachadh mur am
biodh a’ chlann anns an roinn Ghàidhlig anns an sgoil, gum biodh
a’ Ghàidhlig aca gu math truagh. Tha mi cinnteach gum biodh a’
chlann fhèin tàmailteach mur am biodh sinn air an cur dhan a’
Ghàidhlig – ’s e an rud as fheàrr a rinn sinn.
Mina NicNeacail, Leòdhas

Gaelic is the language of our home and
the language that we would naturally use.
We wanted the children to have Gaelic and
we felt strongly that GME would ensure
that they would…English is so prevalent
that they are going to acquire it anyway
and I believe that if they weren’t in the
Gaelic stream in the school that their
Gaelic would be much weaker…
It is the best decision we ever made.
7

8
CEUM AIR THOISEACH
’S e foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig aon de na prìomh dhòighean
air fileantachd sa Ghàidhlig a
ruighinn agus a chumail. Tha seo
gu sònraichte fìor mu chlann à
teaghlaichean aig nach eil Gàidhlig.
’S urrainn do sgoilearan aig nach eil
Gàidhlig bho thùs, gu dearbh a tha à
dachaighean agus coimhearsnachdan
gun Ghàidhlig, an toirt gu fileantachd sa
chànan tro rud ris an canar bogadh. Le
bogadh, tha na sgoilearan gan teagasg
sa Ghàidhlig a-mhàin, is iad a’ dèanamh
na rudan àbhaisteach a bhios clann
a’ dèanamh aig an ìre thràth seo dem
foghlam – ann an cròileagan, sgoil-àraich
agus bun-sgoil. Tha an luchd-teagaisg a’
gabhail gach cothrom sgilean Gàidhlig
na cloinne adhartachadh – tro òrain,
sgeulachdan, geamaichean agus gu hàraid
tro chluiche.
Tha foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig
a’ neartachadh cànan nam fileantach
agus tha e cuideachd gan toirt gu ìre nas
àirde ann an sgrìobhadh agus ann an
leughadh anns a’ Ghàidhlig.
Tha foghlam tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig fosgailte don
a h-uile duine, feadhainn
aig a bheil Gàidhlig agus
feadhainn aig nach eil.

Gaelic medium education is one
of the main ways of achieving or
maintaining fluency in Gaelic. This
is especially true of children from a
non-Gaelic speaking background.
Pupils who are not Gaelic speakers to
start with, indeed who come from non-
Gaelic speaking homes and communities,
can be brought to fluency in the
language through what is referred to as
immersion. Immersion means that pupils
are taught only in Gaelic, while they
are doing the usual things that children
do in the early years of their education
- in playgroup, nursery and primary
school. Their teachers utilise all available
opportunities to develop pupils’ Gaelic
skills - through songs, stories, games and
especially through structured play.
Gaelic medium education reinforces the
language of fluent speakers and also
enables them to become fully literate in
the language.
Gaelic medium
education is open to
everyone, those who
speak Gaelic and those
who do not.
9
A HEAD START

Airson an tuilleadh
fiosrachaidh mu fhoghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns an
sgìre agaibh cuiribh fios gu:
• Oifis an Fhoghlaim aig an
ùghdarras ionadail agaibh
• Oifigear Phàrant
Comann na Pàrant
01463 234 138
fios@parant.org.uk
• Stiùiriche Foghlaim
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
01463 225 454
foghlam@bng.org.uk
10

To fi nd out about Gaelic medium
provision in your area contact:
• Your local authority education offi ce
• Parental Offi cer
Comann nam Pàrant
01463 234 138
fi os@parant.org.uk
• Education Manager
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
01463 225 454
foghlam@bng.org.uk
I started speaking three languages when I was three, so
it’s not diffi cult. I like football and once a week we have
football training in Gaelic. I’m now a news reporter on
the children’s radio programme Aileag. It’s great fun,
something new. I have to search the internet for news,
then put it in Gaelic words to read on the show. I usually
speak German to my mother, English to my father and
sometimes I help them with their Gaelic because they are
learning it. We have lots of German visitors and I speak
Gaelic when we visit my Dad’s relatives in Inverness. I
love reading books – in German, English and Gaelic. I’m
proud of my languages. If I have children, I would like
them to speak Gaelic, English and German.
Robbie Greig, age 12
11

a’ ciallachadh gun
urrainnear rudan sa bheatha làitheil a
dhèanamh ann an dà chànan.
Tha dà-chànanas fada nas cumanta
ann an dùthchannan eile na tha e ann
am Breatainn. Tha e air a thomhais
gu bheil eadar 60% agus 65% de
mhuinntir an t-saoghail aig a bheil
co-dhiù dà chànan.
Tha clann air am breith leis a’
chomas a bhith dà-chànanach agus
ioma-chànanach. Tha an eanchainn
comasach air co-dhiù dà chànan no
barrachd.
BUANNACHDAN DÀ-CHÀNANAISTha dà-chànanas
12
“Tha clann air am breith
leis a’ chomas a bhith
dà-chànanach agus
ioma-chànanach…”

Bilingualism means being able to
conduct aspects of everyday life in
two languages.
Bilingualism is much more common in
other countries than it is in Britain. It is
estimated that between 60% and 65%
of people in the world use at least two
languages in their everyday lives.
Children are born with the ability to
become bilingual and multilingual. There
is more than enough room in the brain
for two or more languages.
THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING BILINGUAL
Some of the potential advantages of
bilingualism and bilingual education
currently publicised are:
Communication advantages
1. Wider communication (extended
family, community, international
links, employment)
2. Literacy in two languages
Cultural advantages
3. Broader enculturation, a deeper
multiculturalism, and two ‘language
worlds’ of experience
4. Greater tolerance and less racism
“Children are born
with the ability to
become bilingual
and multilingual…”
Cognitive advantages
5. Thinking benefi ts (creativity,
sensitivity to communication)
Character advantages
6. Raised self-esteem
7. Security in identity
Curriculum Advantages
8. Increased curriculum achievement
9. Easier to learn a third language
Cash advantages
10. Economic and employment benefi ts
‘A Parents’ and Teachers’ Guide to Bilingualism’,
Professor Colin Baker, International Expert on
Bilingual Education
13
ADVANTAGES OF BILINGUALISM

It was in all honesty, a big decision to place our children in
Gaelic medium education. Neither my husband or myself
spoke Gaelic, neither did any of our parents. I did make an
attempt at Gaelic classes but failed miserably.
So with a great deal of trepidation, we enrolled our daughter
into the Gaelic class in Bowmore. Homework, back then
(we’re talking 10 years ago), consisted of books which had
Gaelic words pasted over the English words thanks to the
efforts of the Comann nam Pàrant group. Tapes that were a
lifeline to the non-Gaelic speaker accompanied these books.
I was stunned however at the speed that the children picked
up on the language. It was amazing that within 1 year our
daughter could converse, however simply, in a language
that was not her native tongue. Soon I was being told I was
pronouncing words incorrectly and what I should be saying!
As the years went on, such was our faith in Gaelic medium
education we placed our next two daughters in Gaelic. Once
again their language skills have taken off. I too have learnt
various words and phrases and how to pronounce certain
letters through their reading books and tapes.
Learning a second language is so much easier to do when
you are a child. Children do not have the tendency to
translate everything into the English language first before
they understand what has been said. European children
take having a second language as the norm, so why do we
have to be different. It is also proven that if you have a second
language learning a third or more is so much easier to do.
I now have two daughters in High School and one in Primary
and their fluency in Gaelic is to be admired. The older two
have picked up French with ease and the oldest has also been
learning Russian. They tell me it’s simple to learn!
Fiona MacGregor, Islay
15

FOGHLAM RO-SGOILE Chaidh
Comhairle nan Sgoiltean
Àraich a stèidheachadh mar
bhuidheann charthannais
neo-eisimeileach ann an 1982 le 4
sgoiltean-àraich. An-diugh tha 120
buidheann ro-sgoile aca, a’ toirt
foghlam ro-sgoile sa Ghàidhlig do
chòrr is 2,000 pàiste.
www.gaelicworld.co.uk
Tha foghlam ro-sgoile tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig, ann an riochd cròileagain
agus sgoiltean-àraich, na chiad cheum
cudromach ann am foghlam foirmeil.
Tha buidhnean Pàrant is Pàiste ann an
grunn sgìrean agus mar as tric tha iad
gan ruith le comataidh saor-thoileach
agus tha cuid a’ fastadh neach-stiùiridh.
’S e comataidh saor-thoileach a tha
cuideachd a’ ruith na Cròileagain agus
tha a’ mhòr-chuid air co-dhiù aon
neach-stiùiridh fhastadh. Ann an cuid de
sgìrean tha buidhnean Cròileagan gan
ruith an àite sgoiltean-àraich.
’S e Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich
(CNSA) am buidheann nàiseanta a tha an
urra ris na buidhnean ro-sgoile seo.
Tha ùghdarrasan ionadail ann an grunn
sgìrean a-nis a’ ruith sgoiltean-àraich,
agus mar as tric tha ceangal aca ris an
sgoil no sgoiltean far a bheil foghlam
bun-sgoil tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ga
thabhann.
16

Pre-school Gaelic medium provision,
in the form of playgroups and
nurseries, is an important first step
in the formal education process.
Many areas have Pàrant agus Pàiste,
parent-and-toddler groups, which are
usually run by a volunteer committee and
may employ a play-leader.
Cròileagan, Gaelic play-groups, are again
run by volunteer committees and most
employ one or more play-leaders. In some
areas Cròileagan groups take the place of
nursery provision.
The national body responsible for these
pre-schools groups is Comhairle nan
Sgoiltean Àraich (CNSA).
Council-run nursery provision is now
available in many areas and is normally
attached to the school or schools in
which the authority offers Gaelic medium
primary education.
Established in 1982 with just 4
playgroups, CNSA is an independent
charitable organisation which today
runs 120 pre-school groups, offering
early Gaelic education to 2,000 plus
children all over Scotland.
www.gaelicworld.co.uk
17
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

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Tha dithis nighean againn. Tha iad le chèile air an uchdmhachdachadh
à Sìona. Tha Jenny, an tè as sine, sia
bliadhna a dh’aois agus tha an tè eile, Lucy, a trì. Tha Jenny
air clas a dhà anns a’ bhun-sgoil agus Lucy a’ dol dhan
sgoil-àraich. Thagh sinn an sgoil Ghàidhlig airson gum
biodh cothrom aca le chèile Gàidhlig ionnsachadh. Chan eil
a’ Ghàidhlig aig a’ bhean agam agus mar sin bhiodh e na bu
dhuilghe Gàidhlig a chumail riutha leam fhèin. Bhitheamaid
airson gum bi cothrom aca le chèile grunnan chànain
ionnsachadh. ’S e toiseach tòisichidh a tha seo. ’S e Beurla a
tha sinn a’ bruidhinn anns an dachaigh anns a’ mhòr-chuid
ach bruidhnidh mi Gàidhlig ris na h-nigheanan nuair a tha
sinn còmhla as aonais Mamaidh. Mar as sinne a dh’fhàsas
iad ’s ann as motha a bhruidhneas mi Gàidhlig riutha.
Feumaidh a’ bhean Gàidhlig ionnsachadh!
Dòmhnull Iain Dòmhnullach, Dùn Èideann
We have two daughters. They were both
adopted from China…We chose Gaelic
medium education so that both our
children would learn to speak Gaelic. My
wife doesn’t have any Gaelic and I knew it
would be harder to pass Gaelic onto them
on my own...We mostly use English at
home but I speak Gaelic to the girls when
I’m on my own with them. My wife will
just have to learn Gaelic!

Tha an àireamh de
sgoilearan ann am foghlam
tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig
aig ìre bun-sgoil air
meudachadh bho 24 ann
an 1985 ann an 2 sgoil
gu còrr is 2,000 ann am
bliadhna-sgoile 2006-07
ann an 62 sgoiltean.
20
FOGHLAM BUN-SGOIL
Tha foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig sa bhun-sgoil a’ cleachdadh
na Gàidhlig airson an ionnsachaidh
is teagaisg gu lèir, anns gach cuspair
sgoile, agus modhan bogaidh gan
cur gu feum ann am P1 agus P2.
Mar as tric thathar a’ tòiseachadh
air leughadh agus sgrìobhadh sa
Bheurla bho P3 ach ’s i Gàidhlig
fhathast prìomh chànain a’ chlas tro
foghlam na bun-sgoile. Tha foghlam
tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ag amas,
le stiùir nàiseanta an Riaghaltais,
air clann a thoirt gu fileantachd sa
Ghàidhlig agus sa Bheurla mus fàg
iad a’ bhun-sgoil.
Anns an fharsaingeachd tha foghlam
tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig air a
lìbhrigeadh ann an roinnean Gàidhlig
taobh a-staigh sgoiltean Beurla ach tha
sgoiltean Gàidhlig cuideachd ann an
cuid de sgìrean.

In 1999 a report by
Prof. Richard Johnstone
of Stirling University
concluded that
‘…pupils receiving
Gaelic medium primary
education, whether or not
Gaelic was the language
of the home, were not
being disadvantaged in
comparison with children
educated through
English. In many though
not all instances they
outperformed English
medium pupils and
in addition gained the
advantage of having
become profi cient in two
languages.’
PRIMARY EDUCATION
The number of pupils who are
in Gaelic medium education at
primary school level has risen
from 24 in 1985 in 2 schools to
over 2,000 in the school year
2006-2007 in 62 schools.
Gaelic medium education in the
primary school involves the use of
the Gaelic language for all learning
and teaching, across all subjects in
the curriculum, using immersion
methods in P1 and P2. English
reading and writing are generally
introduced from P3 but the principal
language of the classroom is Gaelic
throughout primary. The aim of
Gaelic medium education, through
the government’s national guidelines,
is to take children to the same level
of fl uency in Gaelic and English by
the time they leave primary school.
In most instances Gaelic medium
education is delivered in Gaelic medium
departments within English medium
schools but some areas now have Gaelic
medium schools.
21

22
Tha mise ann am Bun-sgoil Shlèite agus tha mi toilichte
gu bheil mi a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig airson gun robh a
h-uile duine ann an teaglach m’ athair agus mo
mhàthair ga bruidhinn agus tha e math an cànan a
chumail a’ dol. Bidh mi a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig ri mo
mhàthair agus Beurla ri m’ athair airson nach eil
Gàidhlig aige ach b’ fheàrr leis gun robh! Is toil leum a
bhith a’ cluich ceòl agus a’ dol a-mach air an each agam.
Bidh mi a’ dol gu na fèisean agus gu campaichean
Sradagan cuideachd. Tha sinn air tòiseachadh a’
dèanamh Gearmailteas anns an sgoil a-nis agus tha na
fuaimean gu math coltach ri Gàidhlig. Bu thoigh leum a
bhith fi leanta an sin cuideachd aon latha.
Christie, aois 10
I go to Bun-sgoil Shlèite and
I’m happy that I have Gaelic as
all my mum and dad’s family
speak Gaelic and it is good to
keep the language alive.

24
tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig san àrd-sgoil a’ dèanamh
cinnteach gu bheil leantalachd ann
an ionnsachadh chlann a fhuair
foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig sa
bhun-sgoil. Tha seo a’ toirt cothrom
do sgoilearan a bhith nas fhileanta,
agus tuigse fhaighinn air a’ Ghàidhlig
mar chànan beò anns am bi foghlam
àrd-sgoil air a libhrigeadh.
Tha e comasach don mhòr-chuid de
sgoilearan meadhan Gàidhlig cuspair
Gàidhlig do dh’fhileantaich a dhèanamh
anns an àrd-sgoil. Tha Ùghdarras
Theisteanas na h-Alba (SQA) a-nis
a’ tabhann dheuchainnean tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig ann an raon de chuspairean
mar matamataig, cruinn-eòlas agus
eachdraidh agus tha iomadh sgoil
a’ tabhann teagaisg tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig anns na cuspairean seo.
Bidh Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, a
dh’fhosgail anns an Lùnastal 2006,
a’ teagasg a h-uile cuspair tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig aig ìre àrd-sgoil agus bidh
buannachd ann do sgoiltean eile bho na
leasachaidhean ùra sa churraicealam agus
na goireasan a bhios rim faighinn.
FOGHLAM ÀRD-SGOILTha foghlam
Tha figearan a nochd bho chionn
ghoirid a’ sealltainn gu bheil
sgoilearan sa cheathramh bliadhna
ann an foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig a’ dèanamh nas fheàrr nan
fheadhainn nach eil.
SQA Attainment and School Leaver
Qualifications in Scotland 2005-06.
Air fhoillseachadh le Riaghaltas na
h-Alba sa Mhàrt 2007

Gaelic medium education in secondary
ensures continuity in the learning
experience of children who have been
educated through the medium of Gaelic
in the primary school. This enables
pupils to become more competent,
gaining an understanding of Gaelic
as a modern language through which
secondary education can be delivered.
Most Gaelic medium pupils are able to
study Gaelic for fluent speakers as a
subject in secondary school. The Scottish
Qualifications Authority currently offers
Gaelic language examinations in a range
of subjects including maths, geography
and history and several schools offer
Gaelic medium tuition in these subjects.
The Glasgow Gaelic School, which opened
in August 2006, will offer tuition through
Gaelic in all secondary subjects and
other schools will benefit from the new
curriculum developments and resources
on offer.
Recent figures show that
S4 pupils in Gaelic medium
education attained a higher
average score than those not
in GME.
SQA Attainment and School Leaver
Qualifications in Scotland 2005-06
Published by the Scottish Executive
in March 2007
25
SECONDARY EDUCATION

I am originally a Basque from Spain and chose Gaelic
medium education for my three children because I
wanted them to have a similar linguistic experience to
my own which was Spanish (home), Basque (school),
French (learnt to fluency at school) and English (learnt
to fluency after leaving school). It just felt natural at the
time. I feel very privileged, for practical reasons and for
having such a different experience and rapport with these
languages/cultures: Spanish, the dominant language
which I spoke at home and everywhere else except in the
classroom; Basque, a “cradle gift”, taken for granted as a
child, and closest to my heart as an adult; French, a foreign
language I enjoyed learning and using; English, a foreign
language which is very dominant in my life now. At home
I speak Spanish with the children and my husband speaks
in English to them and to me. The children converse and
argue in Spanish, but play in English.
Amaia Zulaika Carmichael, Edinburgh
27

IOMAIRTEAN FOGHLAM GÀIDHLIG EILE
28
“Togaidh cùrsaichean
ionnsachaidh, mar theagasg
GLPS, mothachadh air agus
ùidh sa Ghàidhlig agus tha e
a’ toirt bunait do chlann air an
urrainn dhaibh togail nuair a
dh’fhàgas iad an sgoil…”
GLPS
Tha GLPS, no Gàidhlig mar Chànan sa
Bhun-sgoil, a’ tabhann beagan Ghàidhlig
do chlann nach eil a’ dol tro foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha an cùrsa seo
air a theagasg le tidsear a tha air a dhol
tro phrògram teagaisg
fichead-seachdainean agus tha an cùrsa
a’ còrdadh gu mòr ri sgoilearan. Cha
bhi na sgoilearan fileanta aig deireadh
a’ chùrsa ach togaidh e mothachadh
agus ùidh sa Ghàidhlig a thuilleadh air
abairtean bunaiteach a theagasg.
Cùrsaichean luchd-ionnsachaidh
san àrd-sgoil
’S urrainn cànan agus litreachas na
Gàidhlig a bhith air ionnsachadh aig
dà ìre eadar-dhealaichte san àrd-sgoil
– ‘fileantaich’ agus ‘luchd-ionnsachaidh’.
Togaidh cùrsaichean ionnsachaidh, mar
theagasg GLPS, mothachadh air agus
ùidh sa Ghàidhlig agus tha e a’ toirt
bunait do chlann air an urrainn dhaibh
togail nuair a dh’fhàgas iad an sgoil.

GLPS
Gaelic Language in the Primary School,
GLPS, offers an introduction to Gaelic for
children not being educated through the
medium of Gaelic. This course is delivered
by a teacher who has undergone a
twenty-week tuition programme and has
proved popular with pupils. The course
will not result in fluency but will raise
awareness of and interest in Gaelic as
well as teaching basic phrases.
Learners’ courses in the Secondary
School
Gaelic language and literature can be
studied at two different levels in the
secondary school - ‘fluent speakers’ and
‘learners’.
Learners’ courses, like GLPS tuition,
will raise awareness of and interest in
Gaelic and provide a platform upon
which children can build once they leave
school.
“Courses, like GLPS tuition,
will raise awareness of
and interest in Gaelic
providing a platform
children can build on once
they leave school…”
29
OTHER GAELIC EDUCATION INITIATIVES

30
I have been learning Gaelic since
I was three ... I think Gaelic
medium education provides
children with many opportunities
... I have also been given a pride in
my culture, something I think that
all young people would benefi t
from ... I am now training to be a
Gaelic medium teacher.

Tha mi air a bhith ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig on a bha
mi mu thrì bhliadhna a dh’aois. ’S dòcha nach canainn
cuid gur e Gàidhlig a’ chiad chànan agam ach tha
mi nam bheachd gu bheil mi cho fi leanta anns a’
Ghàidhlig ’s a tha mi ann am Beurla. Fhuair mi foghlam
tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns a’ bhun-sgoil agus
chum mi orm le Gàidhlig mar chuspair anns an àrdsgoil
gu Sàr Àrd Ìre. Tha mi nam bheachd gu bheil
foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a’ toirt cothrom de
dh’iomadh seòrsa do chloinn. Mur nach robh mi fhèin
air foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig fhaighinn cha
bhithinn air a bhith an sàs ann an cèol Gàidhlig agus
le sin air a thadhal air dùthchannan mar Chanada. O
chionn ’s gu bheil mi air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh sheall e
dhomh bho aois gu math òg cho cudromach ’s a tha e
a bhith pròiseil às an cultar againn, rudeigin a bhiodh
na bhuannachd do chlann air feadh na dùthcha. Tha
mi nis air an sgoil fhàgail agus anns an oilthigh a’
dèanamh teagaisg is mi an dùil a bhith nam thidsear
tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.
Joanne McHale
31

AS DÈIDH NA SGOILE
32
Tha e cudromach gum bi an cothrom aig
luchd-labhairt òg na Gàidhlig leantainn
orra le foghlam Gàidhlig nuair a
dh’fhàgas iad an sgoil agus tha raon de
chùrsaichean Gàidhlig agus cùrsaichean
co-cheangailte ris a’ Ghàidhlig air an
tabhann le colaistean agus oilthighean
ann an Alba.
Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean
Sgitheanach agus Colaisde a’ Chaisteil ann
an Leòdhas a’ toirt seachad chùrsaichean
gu ìre ceum a tha air an teagasg gu
lèir tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Tha
oilthighean Obar Dheathain, Dùn Èideann
agus Glaschu air a bhith a’ tabhann
ceum ann an Ceiltis airson iomadach
bliadhna agus tha a’ Ghàidhlig aig cridhe
na ceumannan sin. Cuideachd, tha
colaistean foghlam adhartach a’ dèanamh
cùrsaichean bogaidh Gàidhlig, mar
eisimpleir Colaiste Chille Mhearnaig agus
Colaiste Stow.
Thig a Theagasg
B’ e aonan de na leasachaidh as motha ann
am foghlam an Alba a th’ ann am foghlam tron
mheadhan na Gàidhlig on a thòisich e ann an
1985. Tha na cothroman a tha na lùib a’ sìor
fhàs agus tha feum mhòr air tidsearan ùra
Gàidhlig as urrainn an cànan, no cuspairean
tron chànain, a theagasg.
Airson an tuilleadh fi osrachaidh cuiribh fi os
chun an t-Oifi gear Trusaidh Luchd-teagaisg
aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig air 01463 225454 no
teagasg@bng.org.uk
’S urrainn comas labhairt sa Ghàidhlig
agus sa Bheurla a bhith na bhuannachd
do dhaoine òg ann an Alba nuair a
tha iad a’ lorg obair. Tha cothroman
cosnaidh sa Ghàidhlig no le ceangal ris a’
Ghàidhlig a’ fàs, agus le Achd na Gàidhlig
(Alba) 2005 agus cur air bhog sianal
digiteach Gàidhlig, bu chòir gun lean
meudachadh anns na buidhnean poblach,
companaidhean prìobhaideach agus
buidhnean saor-thoileach a tha a’ sireadh
luchd-obrach is urrainn obrachadh gu
soirbheachail anns an dà chànan.

It is important that young Gaelic
speakers have the opportunity to
continue with Gaelic education when
they leave school and there are a
range of Gaelic and Gaelic-related
courses available at colleges and
universities in Scotland.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye and Lews
Castle College on Lewis provide courses
to degree level taught entirely through
the medium of Gaelic. A degree in Celtic
has been offered by the universities of
Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow for
many years, with Gaelic a key element of
those degrees. There are also a number of
further education colleges which provide
Gaelic immersion courses, such as those
on offer at Kilmarnock College and Stow
College.
Being able to speak Gaelic and English
can be an advantage for young people in
Scotland when they enter the job market.
The number of Gaelic and Gaelic-related
career opportunities is growing, and
with the passing of the Gaelic Language
(Scotland) Act 2005 and the launch of a
new Gaelic digital channel, the number
of public bodies, private companies and
voluntary organisations seeking staff
that are able to work effectively in both
languages should continue to increase.
Thig a Theagasg
Gaelic medium education has been one
of the most rapidly developing sectors of
Scottish education since 1985. The number
of associated career opportunities is growing
and there is an increasing demand for those
who are qualifi ed to teach in Gaelic and/or
to teach other subjects through the medium
of Gaelic.
To fi nd out more contact the Gaelic Teacher
Recruitment Offi cer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig
01463 225454 teagasg@bng.org.uk
33
ON LEAVING SCHOOL

’S e Gàidhlig a’ chiad chànan agam agus chaidh mi
tro foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns an Eilean
Sgitheanach. Tha mi fhèin a’ faireachdainn gun e
buannachd a bha ann dhomh a’ dol tro foghlam Gàidhlig
agus gu bheil e air a bhith na chuideachadh dhomh
obair fhaighinn. Bha mi san roinn Ghàidhlig anns a’
bhun-sgoil agus bha cuid de na clasaichean agam air an
teagasg tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns an àrd-sgoil.
Nuair a dh’fhàg mi an sgoil rinn mi ceum ann an Gàidhlig
aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus as dèidh sin fhuair mi obair
mar Oifigear Leasachaidh do Chomunn na Gàidhlig.
Marion Pheutan, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach
34
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh air a’
Ghàidhlig agus air cothroman cosnaidh
co-cheangailte ris a’ Ghàidhlig thigibh gu
www.cnag.org.uk

For further information on Gaelic and
Gaelic related career opportunities visit
www.cnag.org.uk
Gaelic was my fi rst language and I went
through Gaelic medium education on the
Isle of Skye. I believe that the education
I received in Gaelic has been of great
benefi t and has helped me secure the
job that I am in today. I was in the
Gaelic unit in the primary school and
had some of my subject classes in Gaelic
at secondary school. I did a degree in
Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig after leaving
school and I now work as a Development
Offi cer with Comunn na Gàidhlig.
35

36
Làrach-lìn ùr do phàrantan aig a bheil
clann ann am foghlam tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig le farsaingeachd goireasan
leithid abairtean furasta agus stuthan
cluiche, goireasan leughaidh a
chleachdar le leabhraichean cloinne,
tàlaidhean, rannan is òrain eile ainmeil.
www.gaelic4parents.com
Tha àite glè chudromach aig pàrantan
ann an siostam foghlam sam bith
agus tha seo dha-rìreabh fi or mun
a’ Ghàidhlig; is ann mar thoradh air
strì phàrantan a thòisich foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann an 1985.
Tha taic phàrantan riatanach aig gach
ìre de dh’fhoghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig.
’S e goireas prìseil a tha ann am pàrantan
is urrainn Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn rin
cuid chloinne. Tha e math mas urrainn
clann an cànan a chluinntinn cho tric
‘s a ghabhas agus is ann as trice a tha
seo a’ tachairt, gu sònraichte anns na
bliadhnaichean ro-sgoile, is ann as
luaithe a thig leasachadh air an sgilean
cànain. Bu chòir do phàrantan nas urrainn
dhaibh de Ghàidhlig a thoirt don chlann
san dachaigh agus daoine eile anns an
teaghlach agus anns a’ choimhearsnachd
misneachadh gus Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn
riutha an-còmhnaidh.
TAIC PHÀRANTAN Gaelic 4 Parents
Tha mòran de na roinnean Foghlam
Coimhearsnachd aig ùghdarrasan ionadail
a’ tabhann chùrsaichean Gàidhlig airson
pàrantan agus tha iomadach cùrsa
air-loidhne a-nis rim faighinn. Tha
cothroman do theaghlaichean a’ dol air
làithean-saora Gàidhlig cuideachd a’ fàs.

In any education system, parents have
a crucial role to play and where Gaelic
is concerned this role takes on an
added dimension; it was as a result of
the efforts of parents that GME began
in 1985.
Parental support is vital at all stages of
Gaelic medium education.
Parents who can speak Gaelic to their
children are a most precious resource. It
is desirable that children should hear the
language at every available opportunity
and the more often this happens,
particularly in their pre-school years,
the quicker they will develop
their language skills. Parents should
expose their children to Gaelic in the
home as frequently as possible and
Gaelic speaking members of the family
and community should be encouraged to
speak to them in Gaelic at all times.
Many local authority community
education departments offer Gaelic
courses for parents and a number of
on-line courses are now available.
There are also a growing number of
opportunities for Gaelic family holidays.
GLPS
PARENTAL SUPPORT
Gaelic 4 Parents
A new website for parents of
children in Gaelic medium
education which includes
simple phrases and activities,
downloadable audio files to
accompany popular Gaelic children’s
books, well-known lullabies,
nursery rhymes and other songs.
www.gaelic4parents.com
37

38
I’m from Lancashire and Gaelic didn’t really mean that much
to me when I moved up to the Highlands. My husband wanted
our children to go to the local Gaelic medium class and I didn’t
really know much about that. I did a bit of research and decided
that bilingualism was a good thing, regardless of which
languages were involved. I saw it as an educational advantage
for the kids. From there my own interest in Gaelic grew. We set
up a local Comann nam Pàrant and eventually I enrolled in an
immersion course. As part of the course I did a survey to predict
the growth of the uptake of Gaelic medium education in the
area, consulting all the families with pre-school youngsters.
Quite a few came back undecided and with some concerns.
Working with the Gaelic development officer in Lochaber at
the time we arranged some home visits. These made a big
difference and definitely helped parents in a positive way.
The local officer had done some reading on bilingualism in
French Canadian communities and was able to demonstrate
the benefits they had identified. At the end of the day everyone
wants the best for their child educationally.
Niki Robertson, Mallaig
Stòrlann Nàiseanta
na Gàidhlig
Chaidh Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig
a stèidheachadh gus ullachadh agus
sgaoileadh ghoireasan foghlaim
Gàidhlig a cho-òrdanachadh. Tha a’
bhuidheann a’ toirt seachad seirbhis
do gach earrann de dh’fhoghlam
Gàidhlig aig ìre na sgoile agus do
dh’fhoghlam fad-beatha tro ghrunn
phròiseactan sònraichte.
www.storlann.co.uk

Stòrlann Nàiseanta
na Gàidhlig
Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig
was established to co-ordinate
the production and distribution
of resources for Gaelic education.
The organisation provides resource
support for statutory education at
all levels and for lifelong learning
through specific projects.
www.storlann.co.uk
39

Am biodh e freagarrach ar cuid
chloinne a chur tro foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig mur a bheil
Gàidhlig againn fhèin?
Am feum am pàiste agam a dhol
gu buidheann ro-sgoile Gàidhlig
mus tòisich iad ann am foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig?
An ionnsaich am pàiste agam dà
chànan ach leth cho math ri aon?
A bheil foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig a’ cumail clann air ais ann an
dòigh sam bith?
40
Bhiodh. Tha a’ chuid as motha de chlann
ann am foghlam Gàidhlig à dachaighean
far nach eil a’ Ghàidhlig ga bruidhinn.
Tha taic ri fhaighinn agus tha cothroman
ann do phàrantan Gàidhlig ionnsachadh.
Chan fheum, ach tha e air a mholadh
nuair a tha an cothrom ann agus tha
sgoil-àraich aig a’ chuid as motha de
bhun-sgoiltean Gàidhlig a-nis.
Cha mhòr is gu bheil crìoch air comas
cloinne cànain ionnsachadh agus ann
an cuid de dhùthchannan tha clann
gu math òg aig a bheil trì no ceithir
chànain. Gabhaidh na h-aon sgilean, mar
eisimpleir leughadh, an cur gu feum gu
soirbheachail ann an diofar chànain.
Chan eil. Tha rannsachadh a’
sealltainn gu bheil clann ann am
foghlam dà-chànanach a’ dèanamh a
cheart cho math ri clann eile anns a
h-uile cuspair, Beurla nam measg.

Is Gaelic medium education possible if
we can’t speak Gaelic ourselves?
Does my child have to go to a
pre-school Gaelic group before going
into Gaelic medium education?
Will my child learn two languages only
half as well as one?
Does Gaelic medium education hinder
children’s development?
Yes. Most children in Gaelic education
come from non-Gaelic speaking homes.
There is help available and opportunities
for parents to learn Gaelic.
This is not absolutely necessary but it is
advisable whenever possible and most
Gaelic medium provision does now have
attached nursery provision.
There is almost no limit to a child’s
ability to learn languages and in some
countries very young children can speak
three or four languages. Skills such as
reading can easily be transferred between
languages.
No. Studies have shown that children in
bilingual education do as well as their
peers in all subjects, including English.
41

Bu thoigh leam am pàiste agam a chur
tro foghlam dà-chànanach ach tha
eagal orm nach bi e comasach dhomh
cuideachadh le obair-dachaigh?
Ciamar is urrainn dhomh taic a chumail
ri foghlam mo phàiste nuair nach eil
Gàidhlig agam fhèin?
42
Mar as tric cho luath is a tha clann
anns an sgoil tha pàrantan a’ faicinn
nach leigeadh iad leas dragh a bhith
orra mu obair-dachaigh ach nuair a tha
feum aca air gheibh pàrantan taic bho
luchd-teagaisg agus ann an cuid de
sgoiltean bho phàrantan eile aig a bheil
Gàidhlig. Tha buidhnean obair-dachaigh
agus goireasan taic eile do phàrantan
nas cumanta a-nis. Faodaidh sgoiltean
teipichean agus CDan a thoirt seachad
airson is gum faigh clann èisteachd ri
leabhraichean air an leughadh a-mach,
gu sònraichte sna bliadhnaichean tràth.
Faodaidh a h-uile sgoil duilleagan obairdachaigh
matamataig a thoirt seachad
le Beurla air aon taobh gus cuideachadh
a thoirt do phàrantan nach urrainn a’
Ghàidhlig a leughadh.
Faodaidh sibh taic a chumail ri ur pàiste
le ùidh a ghabhail san fhoghlam aca agus
anns gach gnothach Gàidhlig as urrainn
dhuibh – telebhisean, rèidio, tachartasan
as dèidh na sgoile agus tachartasan
sòisealta. Tha tòrr chothroman ann do
phàrantan beagan Gàidhlig ionnsachadh,
tric ann an clasaichean sònraichte do
phàrantan.

I’d like my child to have a bilingual
education but I’m worried that I won’t
be able to help with homework?
How can I support my child’s education
when I do not speak Gaelic myself?
Parents usually fi nd that once their
child is in school that they need not
have worried about homework but when
necessary there is support available
for parents from teachers and in some
schools from Gaelic speaking parents.
Homework clubs and other parental
support structures are also now more
widely available. Schools can provide
tapes and CDs so that children can listen
to reading books being read aloud,
particularly at the early years stage. All
schools can supply maths homework
sheets with English on one side for
parents who can’t read Gaelic.
Support your child by taking an interest
in their education and in as many aspects
of Gaelic activity as possible – television,
radio, out-of-school activities and
social occasions. There are also many
opportunities for parents to learn some
Gaelic, very often in special classes for
parents.
43

Is toigh leam a bhith a’ leughadh dom
phàiste aig an taigh. Ciamar is urrainn
do phàrantan seo a dhèanamh mur a
bheil iad fi leanta sa Ghàidhlig?
Dè am buaidh a bhios aig foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig air Beurla mo
phàiste?
44
’S urrainn dhuibh leabhraichean Gàidhlig
air teip iarraidh air iasad bhon sgoil
airson an cleachdadh còmhla ri ur pàiste
agus tha feadhainn ann a ghabhas
èisteachd ris air an eadar-lìon, mar
eisimpleir air làrach-lìn phàrantan
www.gaelic4parents.com. Chan eil
adhbhar sam bith carson nach leugh sibh
dhaibh sa Bheurla cuideachd.
Nuair a thòisicheas clann ann am
foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ’s ann
tron Ghàidhlig a bhios iad gan teagasg
agus tha leughadh agus sgrìobhadh
ann am Beurla air an toirt a-steach
mar as tric bho P3. Gheibh clann air na
sgilean a tha aca ann an aon chànan
a chleachdadh sa chànan eile agus le
sin thig iad air adhart gu luath nuair a
thòisicheas iad air Beurla a leughadh.
Sheall rannsachadh a rinn Oilthigh
Sruighlea ann an 1999* ‘gun d’ rinn
sgoilearan air P7 ann am foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig nas fheàrr ann
am Beurla na sgoilearan ann am foghlam
Beurla.’
*An t-Àrd Oll. Richard Johnstone
‘The Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic
medium Primary Education in Scotland’
Scottish CILT, Oilthigh Sruighlea, 1999

I like to read to my child at home.
How can parents do this if they are not
fl uent in Gaelic?
How will Gaelic medium education
affect my child’s English?
You can ask the school for a loan of
Gaelic books on tape which you could
use together with your child and there
are some books with audio available
to download from the internet, for
example on the website for parents
www.gaelic4parents.com. There is no
reason whatsoever why you should not
also read in English to your children.
Children in Gaelic medium education are
initially taught almost entirely in Gaelic
and English reading and writing are
generally introduced from P3. Children
transfer skills acquired in one language
to the other so tend to progress quickly
once they start reading in English.
In fact, a study conducted at Stirling
University in 1999* showed ‘that P7
Gaelic-medium pupils performed better in
English than English-medium pupils.’
*Prof. Richard Johnstone
‘The Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic
medium Primary Education in Scotland’
Scottish CILT, Stirling University, 1999
45

Ciamar a tha sinn a’ cumail Gàidhlig
san dachaigh mur a bheil an cànan ach
aig aon phàrant?
Carson a bu chòir dhuinn bodraigeadh
le Gàidhlig san dachaigh ma tha iad ga
faighinn san sgoil?
Tha am pàiste agam fi leanta sa
Ghàidhlig. Carson a bu chòir dhomh
foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a
thaghadh?
46
’S e suidheachadh gu math cumanta a
tha seo agus chan eil duilgheadas ann
ma chleachdas am pàrant aig a bheil
Gàidhlig an cànan san dachaigh cho tric
’s as urrainn dhaibh.
Dh’fhaodadh gum biodh am pàrant aig
nach eil Gàidhlig ag iarraidh ionnsachadh
còmhla ris an leanaibh ach ged nach
biodh iad ach airson Beurla a bhruidhinn
bu chòir dhaibh a bhith taiceil dha
dà-chànanas an leanaibh.
Tha an dachaigh fìor chudromach ann
am foghlam cloinne, a’ daingneachadh
obair a tha air a dhèanamh san sgoil.
Tha cothrom aig clann sgilean cànain
luachmhor a thogail bhon dachaigh nach
eil mar phàirt den fhoghlam foirmeil aca.
Tha foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig
a’ neartachadh sgilean cànain fi leantaich
agus gam brosnachadh Gàidhlig a
chleachdadh anns a h-uile suidheachadh.
Tha e cuideachd a’ toirt cothrom dhaibh
a bhith dha-rìreabh fi leanta ann an
leughadh is sgrìobhadh a’ chànain.

How do we keep Gaelic going at
home if only one parent speaks the
language?
Why should we bother with Gaelic
at home if they are being taught the
language in school?
My child is fl uent in Gaelic. Why should
I choose Gaelic medium education?
This is a common situation and not a
problem if the Gaelic speaking parent
uses the language as much as possible
at home. The non-Gaelic speaker might
wish to learn along with the child or may
wish to only speak English but should be
supportive of their child’s bilingualism.
The home environment has a crucial
role to play in every child’s education,
reinforcing work done in the school.
Using Gaelic at home enables children
to acquire many valuable aspects of
language skills which may not be part of
formal education.
Gaelic medium education reinforces
the language of fl uent speakers and
encourages them to continue using Gaelic
in all situations. It also enables them to
become fully literate in the language.
47

Nach biodh e na b’ fheàrr don chlann
cànan nas “fheumaile” mar Fraingis no
Gearmailtis ionnsachadh?
An urrainn do chlann a tha feumach
air tuilleadh taic no le feumalachdan
sònraichte a dhol tro foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig?
Ma tha aig a’ phàiste agam ri siubhal
don sgoil Ghàidhlig as fhaisge, am bi
còmhdhail ann dhaibh?
48
Ann an Alba, tha a’ Ghàidhlig a cheart
cho feumail airson cosnadh fhaighinn ’s
a tha Fraingis agus Gearmailtis agus tha
e a’ toirt cothrom air iomadh cosnadh
tarraingeach. Thèid na cothroman seo
am meud le na dleastanasan a thig air
buidhnean poblach agus eile fo Achd
na Gàidhlig. Bu chòir do phàrantan
cuimhneachadh gun urrainn sgoilearan
cànan Eòrpach a dhèanamh cuide ris a’
Ghàidhlig aig ìre àrd-sgoil.
’S urrainn agus tha iad. Tha
poileasaidhean in-ghabhail fìor mhath
aig tòrr ùghdarrasan ionadail a tha a’
bualadh san aon dòigh air foghlam
Gàidhlig agus Beurla. Bu chòir gum faigh
sibh comhairle bho roinn an fhoghlaim
mu fheumalachdan ionnsachaidh ur pàiste
agus dè is urrainn foghlam tro mheadhan
na Gàidhlig a thabhann dhuibh.
Tha ùghdarrasan foghlam gu math tric a’
toirt foghlaim tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig
seachad aig ìre sgìreil agus mar sin tha
goireasan còmhdhail aca airson clann
a bhios a’ siubhal seachad air an sgoil
ionadail. Cuiribh fi os don ùghdarras
ionadail agaibh airson tuilleadh
fi osrachaidh fhaighinn air goireasan
còmhdhail.

Wouldn’t it be better for children to
learn a more “useful” language like
French or German?
Can children with additional support or
special needs receive Gaelic medium
education?
If my child needs to travel to access
the nearest Gaelic medium facility, will
transport be provided?
In Scotland, Gaelic is in fact as useful
a passport to employment as French
and German and can offer a direct line
to many attractive job opportunities.
These opportunities should increase
as organisations and public bodies
are required to meet their obligations
under the Gaelic Language Act. Parents
should note that pupils may also study
a European language as well as Gaelic at
secondary level.
They can and do. Many local authorities
have excellent inclusion policies that
apply equally to Gaelic and English
provision. You should be able to access
advice from your education department
regarding the learning needs of
your child and what Gaelic medium
education can offer.
Education authorities often provide Gaelic
medium education on an area basis so do
have transport arrangements in place for
children who require to travel past their
local school. Contact your own authority
for detailed information on travel
arrangements.
49

’S e (mar eisimpleir) Thai a tha sinn a’
bruidhinn ris a’ chloinn san dachaigh
agus chan e Beurla. An ionnsaich iad
Beurla gu math mas ann gu sgoil no
roinn Ghàidhlig a chuireas sinn iad? Ionnsaichidh. Bhiodh e gu math doirbh
fàs suas ann an Alba san latha an-diugh
gun Beurla ionnsachadh. Gheibh ur clann
bogadh sa Bheurla ann an iomadach
suidheachadh sòisealta, feadhainn san
sgoil fhèin nam measg, mur a bheil iad
a’ dol gu sgoil Ghàidhlig seach roinn
Ghàidhlig. Seachad air P3 bidh iad ag
ionnsachadh na sgilean a tha iad air
togail sa Ghàidhlig a chur gu feum ann
am Beurla cuideachd, agus cha bhi e
fada mus bi iad ioma-chànanach. Tha
e cudromach cuimhneachadh gu bheil
ioma-chànanas gu math cumanta tron
t-saoghail; san dòigh sin tha an dùthaich
seo àraid leis a’ bheachd gu bheil
aon-chànanas ‘àbhaisteach’.
50

We speak (for example) Thai to our
children at home and not English. Will
they still learn to use English well if
we send them to a Gaelic medium
school?
They will. It would be almost impossible
to grow up in Scotland today without
learning to speak English. Your children
will be immersed in English in many
social situations, including some within
school, unless they attend a dedicated
Gaelic school as opposed to a Gaelic
unit. From primary three onwards they
will be taught to apply the language
skills they have learned through Gaelic to
English as well, and will quickly become
multilingual. It is worth remembering
that multilingualism is accepted as
normal throughout the world; the
UK is in fact very unusual in viewing
monolingualism as the ‘norm’.
51

BUIDHNEAN
Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) Chaidh Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) a
stèidheachadh le Comunn na Gàidhlig ann
an 1994, an dèidh iarrtais bho phàrantan
airson a leithid. Tha a h-uile sgìre aig a
bheil buidhnean ionadail CnP a’ faighinn
cothrom a bhith air an riochdachadh air
a’ Chomataidh Nàiseanta, a’ ciallachadh
gu bheil guth nam pàrant ri chluinntinn
air ìre nàiseanta. Tha CnP(N) airson
beachdan phàrantan a chur an cèill dhan
Riaghaltas agus airson obrachadh còmhla
ri buidhnean leasachaidh na Gàidhlig
agus ùghdarrasan ionadail ann a bhith
a’ coileanadh an amais “foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig adhartachadh”. Tha
Oifigear Phàrant aca airson taic a thoirt
do phàrantan agus airson foghlam tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh.
Fòn: 01463 234138
www.parant.org.uk
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chaidh am Bòrd a stèidheachadh fo Achd
na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005. Tha foghlam
Gàidhlig na prìomhachas aig Bòrd na
Gàidhlig agus tha e an urra ris a’ Bhòrd
comhairle a thoirt do Mhinistearan na
h-Alba agus daoine eile air foghlam
Gàidhlig.
Fòn: 01463 225454
www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk
Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich ’S e CNSA am prìomh bhuidheann
nàiseanta an sàs ann an leasachadh
air foghlam ro-sgoile tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig.
52
Fòn: 01463 225469
www.gaelicworld.co.uk

Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), was
set up by Comunn na Gàidhlig in 1994
as a direct response to parental request.
All areas with local CnP groups have the
opportunity to be represented on the
national committee, thus ensuring that
all parents have a voice at national level.
The organisation seeks to present the
parental viewpoint to the Government
and to liaise with Gaelic development
bodies and Local Authorities in their
efforts to fulfil the primary aim “to
advance education through the medium
of Gaelic”. They have a Parental Officer
whose main remit is to support parents
and promote Gaelic-medium education.
Tel: 01463 234138
www.parant.org.uk
Bòrd na Gàidhlig The Bòrd was established under the
Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
Gaelic Education is a priority for Bòrd
na Gàidhlig and the Bòrd is responsible
for advising the Scottish Ministers and
others on Gaelic Education.
Tel: 01463 225454
www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk
Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich CNSA is the main national body involved
in developing pre-school Gaelic medium
provision.
Tel: 01463 225469
www.gaelicworld.co.uk
53
ORGANISATIONS

BUIDHNEAN
Comunn na Gàidhlig ’S e buidheann leasachaidh Gàidhlig
a tha ann an CnaG a tha a’ cur taic ri
gnìomhachd tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig
do dh’òigridh sa choimhearsnachd agus ri
iomairtean a tha a’ toirt taic do phàrantan
agus clann Gàidhlig a chleachdadh san
dachaigh.
Fòn: 01463 234138
www.cnag.org.uk
Sradagan Buidhnean òigridh tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig airson clann sa bhun-sgoil.
54
Fòn: 01463 234138
www.sradagan.org

Comunn na Gàidhlig CnaG is a Gaelic development agency
which supports Gaelic medium youth
activities in the community and
initiatives which support parents and
children to use Gaelic in the home.
Tel: 01463 234138
www.cnag.org.uk
Sradagan Gaelic medium youth groups for primary
school children.
Tel: 01463 234138
www.sradagan.org
55
ORGANISATIONS

FIOSRACHADH FEUMAIL
56

Local Authority GME Primary Local Authority GME Primary
Aberdeen City Council
Education Offices Gilcomstoun
Aberdeen Town House
Broad Street
Aberdeen AB9 1AQ
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Tel: 01224 276276
Aberdeenshire
Education Offices
Woodhill House Annexe
Westburn Road
Aberdeen AB9 2LU
www.aberdeenshire.co.uk
Tel: 01224 665420
Angus Council
Education Offices Kirkriggs
7 The Cross
Forfar DD8 1BX
www.angus.gov.uk
Tel: 01307 461460
Argyll & Bute Council
Gaelic Education Officer Bowmore
Education Offices Oban
Argyll House Tiree
Alexandra Parade Salen
Dunoon PA23 8AJ Sandbank
www.argyll-bute.gov.uk Strath of Appin
Tel: 01369 704000
Clackmannan
Education Offices
Castle Street
Alloa FK10 1ES
www.clacks.gov.uk
Tel: 01259 210618
City of Edinburgh
Council
Education Department Tollcross
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1UG
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Tel: 0131 200 2000
Dumfries & Galloway
Education Offices
30 Edinburgh Road
Dumfries DG1 1NW
www.dumgal.gov.uk
Tel: 01387 260427
Dundee
Education Offices
Tayside House
28 Crichton Street
Dundee DD12 3RJ
www.dundee.gov.uk
Tel: 01382 223281
East Ayrshire Council
Education Offices Onthank
London Road Centre
London Road
Kilmarnock KA3 7DG
www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01563 576003
East Dumbartonshire
Council
Education Offices Meadowburn
Boclair House
100 Milngavie Road
Bearsden G61 2TQ
www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Tel: 0141 942 9000
East Lothian
King’s Meadow Campus
Court Street
Haddington
East Lothian EH41 4BU
www.eastlothian.gov.uk
Tel: 01620 827562
East Renfrewshire
Education Offices
Eastwood Park
Rouken Glen Road
Glasgow G46 6UG
www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Tel: 0141621 3000
57
USEFUL CONTACTS

FIOSRACHADH FEUMAIL
Local Authority GME Primary Local Authority GME Primary
Falkirk
Education Offi ces
McLaren House
Marchmont Avenue
Polmont FK2 OPW
www.falkirk.gov.uk
Tel: 01324 718558
Fife
Education Offi ces
Fife House
Glenrothes KY7 SLT
www.fi fe.gov.uk
Tel: 01592 414141
Glasgow City Council
Education Offi ces Glasgow Gaelic School
129 Bath Street
Glasgow G2 2SY
www.glasgow.gov.uk
Tel: 0141 227 6898
Highland Council
Gaelic Adviser Acharacle, Newtonmore,
Education Centre Bonar Bridge, Plockton,
Castle Street Broadford, Portree,
Dingwall IV15 9HU Dingwall, Sleat,
www.highland.gov.uk Dunvegan, Staffi n,
Tel: 01349 863441 Fort William, Tain,
Gairloch, Tongue,
Inverness, Ullapool,
Kilmuir, Lochcarron,
Mallaig, Nairn
Inverclyde Council
Education Offi ces Highlanders Academy
105 Dalrymple Street
Greenock PA15 1HT
www.inverclyde.gov.uk
Tel: 01475 721589
Midlothian
Education Offi ces
Greenhall Centre
Gowkshill
Gorebridge EH23 4PE
www.midlothian.gov.uk
Tel: 01875 823603
58
Moray
Education Offi ces
Academy Street
Elgin IV30 1LL
www.moray.gov.uk
Tel: 01343 541144
North Ayrshire
Education Offi ces
Cunninghame House
Irvine KA12 8EE
www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01294 324400
North Lanarkshire
Council
Education Offi ces Condorrat
Municipal Buildings
Kildonan Street
Coatbridge ML5 3LS
www.northlan.gov.uk
Tel: 01236 441200
Perth & Kinross Council
Education Offi ces Goodlyburn
6/8 South Methven Street
Perth PH1 5PF
www.pkc.gov.uk
Tel: 01738 638101
Renfrewshire
Education Offi ces
Cotton Street
Paisley PA1 1LE
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Tel: 0141842 5000
South Ayrshire
Education Offi ces
County Buildings
Wellington Square
Ayr KA7 1DR
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01292 612416
South Lanarkshire
Council
County Buildings Mount Cameron
Almada Street
Hamilton ML3 0AA
www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01698 454545

Local Authority GME Primary
Stirling Council
Education Offi ces Riverside
Viewforth
Stirling FK8 2ET
www.stirling.gov.uk
Tel: 01786 442366
West Dunbartonshire
Education Offi ces
Council Offi ces
Garshake Road
Dumbarton G82 3PU
www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Tel: 01389 727580
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Education Centre Aird, Iochdar,
6 Kenneth Street Airidhantuim,
Stornoway Back, Laxdale,
Isle of Lewis HS1 2DP Balivanich, Leverburgh,
www.cne-siar.gov.uk Balallan, Lionel,
Tel: 01851 708658 Barvas, Paible (N Uist),
Bernera, Park,
Breasclete, Sandwick,
Carnish, Shawbost
Carloway, Stoneybridge,
Castlebay, Stornoway,
Daliburgh, Tarbert
Uig (Lewis),
Eriskay
West Lothian
Education Offi ces
Lindsay House
South Bridge Street
Bathgate EH48 1TT
www.westlothian.gov.uk
Tel: 01506 637040
59
USEFUL CONTACTS

COMANN NAM PÀRANT
5 Caolshràid Mhìcheil,
Inbhir Nis IV2 3HQ
5 Mitchell’s Lane,
Inverness IV2 3HQ 01463 234138
fi os@parant.org.uk www.parant.org.uk
www.pelican-design.com