Families bringing their children up exclusively in Gaelic can have different concerns from families using English at home. FAQs which apply only to the former group appear below in Gaelic only, in accordance with Stòrlann policy.
What is Gaelic-medium education?
But my child doesn't speak Gaelic - how will (s)he cope?
Has Gaelic-medium education got enough resources - books and so on?
I don't know anything about Gaelic - fill me in?
I've not liked to ask, but is it 'Gah-lik' or 'Gae-lik'?
How can I find out what the Gaelic version of my child's name is?
How can I find a Gaelic name for my child?
Why Gaelic? Why not a more 'useful' language, like French or German?
Isn't Gaelic a difficult language to learn?
I can't speak Gaelic - how can I support my child with homework and so on?
I'm concerned that we won't be able to 'share' the education experience in the same way.
I'm worried that my child's English reading and writing will suffer if (s)he is in Gaelic education.
Since my child doesn't speak Gaelic, will his/her learning of other subjects be affected?
Since my child doesn't speak Gaelic, will his/her learning of other subjects be affected?
Can children with additional support or special needs receive Gaelic-medium education?
What is Gaelic-medium education?
Gaelic-medium education educates children
in the full Scottish curriculum, with Gaelic as the only language
in the classroom for the first two years (sometimes know as
the 'immersion phase') and with increasing levels of English
used as the teaching language from primary three up to primary
seven, when children are taught half in Gaelic and half in
English and should be equally fluent in both languages, or
'bilingual'.
But my child doesn't speak Gaelic - how will (s)he cope?
Many, many children who do not speak Gaelic
when they start school or nursery receive Gaelic-medium education.
The system does not expect children to be fluent when they
enter school and teachers undertake lots of language activity
- songs, stories and especially structured play - to develop
all children's Gaelic skills in the early years. After a few
months in nursery or playgroup provision children can understand
spoken Gaelic to a good degree and after a few weeks in primary
school can use the language, becoming fluent before the end
of primary two.
Has Gaelic-medium education got enough resources - books and so on?
Gaelic
education doesn't have the same range of resources as English-language
education; very few languages do. There are a considerable
range of resources available, however, and more and more appear
every year from the agency set up specifically to provide
these, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.
Many of these are in the most exciting new formats, from Virtual
Learning Environments (online courses) to interactive whiteboard
materials. Reading materials are a priority, with a new reading
scheme based on Phonics (a method of teaching reading whereby
children learn to recognise sounds instead of whole words)
will shortly supplement the Storyworlds scheme, which is also
available in audio for non-Gaelic speaking parents to use
at home. Maths scheme materials are kept up-to-date so that
children have work-books they can fill in and keep, and all
curricular areas are covered. In addition to these physical
resources, Gaelic-medium teachers tend to be inspiring practitioners
and easily make up for any shortfall.
I don't know anything about Gaelic - fill me in?
Scottish Gaelic is a member of the Celtic family of languages. The Celtic family has two surviving branches: the P-Celtic languages of Welsh, Breton and Cornish; and the Q-Celtic languages of Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx.
Settlers from Ireland began to colonise Argyll around 200CE, and their kingdom gradually expanded to take in much of the west coast. After these 'Scotti' established their new kingdom, their language began to diverge from the Irish spoken in their original homeland, eventually developing into the language we know today as Scottish Gaelic.
Around 800CE, fear of Viking raiders drove the Scotti into the lands of the Picts, the P-Celtic tribe of northern and eastern Scotland. Eventually the two tribes united under Kenneth MacAlpine, the first ruler of the Gaelic-speaking kingdom of 'Alba' - Scotland.
Over the centuries anglicising influences from the south gradually ousted Gaelic as the language of the royal court in southern Scotland. In the C12th, the warlord Somerled wrested control of the west coast from the Vikings and established the Lordship of the Isles. The lands of the Lordship became the stronghold of Gaelic language and culture for the next five hundred years.
The eventual collapse of the Lordship, the various failed Jacobite risings and the mass clearances of the C18th and C19th all took a heavy toll on Gaelic language and culture. Unsupported by either the legal or education systems, Gaelic came to be seen in many quarters in the early C20th as irrelevant to modern life and indeed, as an obstacle to progress.
From the middle years of the C20th, increasing understanding of the importance of cultural diversity and of bi- and multi-lingualism saw the place of Gaelic reassessed. The re-emergence of a vital literary tradition, headed by the internationally-renowned poet Sorley MacLean, and increasing interest in 'traditional cultures' contributed to this process.
In 2005 with numbers of Gaelic speakers
at just over 50,000, the level experts identify as the minimum
required to prevent language death, the Scottish Parliament
passed the Gaelic Act, which recognises Bòrd na Gàidhlig
as a constitutional body and requires other public bodies
to create and implement Gaelic plans, overseen by the Bòrd.
Gaelic-medium education is offered by a growing number of
local authorities and 2006 sees the opening of a dedicated
Gaelic-language school in Glasgow and the building of a similar
facility in Inverness.
I've not liked to ask, but is it 'Gah-lik' or 'Gae-lik'?
Gaelic is spelt Gàidhlig in Gaelic,
and is pronounced 'Gah-lik' by most speakers. It is not correct
to refer to Irish (Gaelic) as 'Gae-lik' either, as the term
'Irish' is considered to be correct, particularly in Eire.
How can I find out what the Gaelic version of my child's name is?
Depending on the name, you may not be able to, as there may be no Gaelic version of it. Names can't be 'translated' as such, but are often associated with equivalents in other languages. Many of these equivalents have arisen through translations of the Bible into new languages. In this way the Hebrew name Miriam, for example, has been equated with names including Mary, Marie, Mairi, Màire and many more.
The equation of some Gaelic names with English 'equivalents' is so well-established that many Gaelic speakers use two versions of their first name. In most cases their 'English' name will appear on their birth certificate, but they will use their 'Gaelic' name in Gaelic conversation. This only applies to a relatively small group of names, however, and no Gaelic equivalents exist for the vast majority of names. Some Gaelic names, like 'Eilidh', 'Mairi' or 'Ruairidh' are well-established 'in English'.
For more information, you can consult
the book 'Ainmean Chloinne: Scottish Gaelic names for children',
from the publisher Taigh na Teud, available from www.gaelicbooks.net.
How can I find a Gaelic name for my child?
For lots of ideas of Gaelic names, try the book 'Ainmean Chloinne: Scottish Gaelic names for children', from the publisher Taigh na Teud, available from www.gaelicbooks.net.
The following list gives some of the most common Gaelic names for children, and their English equivalents where these exist.
| Iain - John Seònaidh - Johnny Alasdair - Alexander Dòmhnall - Donald Aonghas - Angus Calum - Malcolm Daibhidh - David Seumas - James Donnchadh - Duncan Colla - Coll Eachann - Hector Ailean - Allan Raghnall - Ronald Mata - Matthew Pàdraig - Patrick/Peter Ruairidh - Roderick/Derrick Pòl - Paul Uilleam - William |
Eilidh - Helen Ciorstaidh - Kirsty Seònag - Joanne/Johanna/Joan Màiri - Mairi/Mary Mairead - Margaret Sorcha - Sarah/Claire Raghnaid - Rachael Mòrag - Marion Cèit - Kate Cèiteag - Katie Anna - Anne/Annie Iseabal - Isobel Ealasaid - Elizabeth Sìne - Jane Peigi - Peggy/Margaret |
Why Gaelic? Why not a more 'useful' language, like French or German?
For starters, being bilingual is a very great benefit to any child, regardless of which languages (s)he speaks. Bilingual children have been shown in many studies to succeed better in school and socially, and to have more aptitude than their monolingual contemporaries for language-learning in particular. So a child who speaks both Gaelic and English should go on to learn other languages with relative ease.
Gaelic is increasingly relevant in Scotland today, and since a considerably smaller group of people can read, write and speak it than can speak, read and write German or French, very many opportunities exist for children who learn the language, from cultural activities like Mòds and Fèisean, to career opportunities in teaching, the arts, the media and elsewhere, to the occasional opportunity to appear on radio or television!
Gaelic is also the oldest surviving Scottish
language and offers a different viewpoint for children on
the history, culture and future of their own country. Scottish-based
Gaelic speakers are supported by many international Gaelic
speakers and learners in countries as far afield as Germany
and the US, and children in Gaelic-medium education become
part of this vibrant community at home and abroad.
People are always saying that Gaelic doesn't have words for things like 'computer' and 'helicopter' - how can children be taught subjects like science in Gaelic?
Some people are a bit like broken records on the subject of words that Gaelic 'doesn't have', which is quite ironic as English is renowned for 'borrowing' words from other languages, like 'double entendre' or 'faux pas'. Like any language, Gaelic has to constantly invent new words for new concepts (like podcasting and blogging), and this is happening all the time. Sometimes Gaelic 'borrows' these words from other languages. It borrowed 'helicopter' and 'television', for example, but not from English - these words are both Greek, and English borrowed them too, as did French, and Spanish, and many other languages.
It is true that many Gaelic speakers do mix Gaelic and English in their speech. This is called 'code-switching' and happens when people associate some experiences or ideas with one language and some with another. Children educated through the medium of Gaelic will in fact have a bigger technical vocabulary than many older speakers, as very few older speakers were lucky enough to receive any of their education through the medium of Gaelic.
One of the joys of learning new languages
is the 'untranslatable' words, phrases and concepts which
make up part of any language and culture.
Isn't Gaelic a difficult language to learn?
Many adults believe that Gaelic is a 'difficult' language for learners and even the Rough Guide to Scotland says that Gaelic has a 'fiendish, antiquated grammar'. No language, however, is intrinsically more difficult to learn than any other, or intrinsically 'antiquated', although some Gaelic grammar books may look a bit old-fashioned! In fact, it is worth remembering that Gaelic spelling, although it looks complicated to a non-Gaelic speaker, uses the same alphabet as English, unlike Cantonese, Russian or Japanese, to name a few major world languages.
Some of the problems for adults attempting to learn Gaelic are:
It is important to remember that children have some very great advantages over adults when it comes to learning Gaelic. Children in Gaelic-medium education learn through immersion - through being surrounded by the language. Children's developing minds are often compared to sponges, and they absorb new languages easily when they are very young. They have no preconceived views, are not worried about 'getting it wrong' and do not get bogged down in questions of grammar. This means that they become very fluent very quickly.
If you have tried to learn Gaelic
in the past, or would like to learn Gaelic, your child's first
years in Gaelic-medium education are an ideal time. Your child
will not judge you or correct you, and you can share the learning
experience. Many local authority Community Education departments
offer Gaelic courses for adult beginners, or those at intermediate
or advanced level. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and other colleges
offer intensive summer courses and distance-learning options.
For more info, go to www.learn-gaelic.info
I can't speak Gaelic - how can I support my child with homework and so on?
This is one of the most frequently-expressed concerns of parents with children in Gaelic-medium education. The plans for Phase Two of www.gaelic4parents.com include a secure online homework support chatroom manned by a team of Gaelic-speaking support officers for two hours each schoolnight. Watch this space for more info on this development. In the meantime…
Firstly, bear in mind that you are not alone - very many children in Gaelic-medium education have no Gaelic-speaking parent at home, and teaching staff will be understanding of your situation. Some schools (e.g. Back in Lewis) run after-school homework-support sessions run by a paid worker; you could enquire as to whether this is an option in your school. Make sure that you take full advantage of available resources; 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 Heinemann Maths homework sheets with English on one side for parents who can't read Gaelic.
It is also worth remembering that your
child will reach fluency very quickly in Gaelic-medium education
and as soon as (s)he can read alone, (s)he will be able to
translate for you. Much of the curriculum is the same whether
delivered through Gaelic or English, and you will be able
to support your child with subjects like maths and science
through the medium of English - if you can remember how to
do long division and your eleven times-table!
I'm concerned that we won't be able to 'share' the education experience in the same way.
If you are interested in learning Gaelic, your child's first years in Gaelic-medium education are an ideal time. Your child will not judge you or correct you, and you can share the learning experience as you both reach fluency. Many local authority Community Education departments offer Gaelic courses for adult beginners, or those at intermediate or advanced level. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and other colleges offer intensive summer courses and distance-learning options. For more info, go to www.learn-gaelic.info
You can also support your child's language acquisition in a range of ways, for example by:
I'm worried that my child's English reading and writing will suffer if (s)he is in Gaelic education.
It won't suffer at all and in fact, it might be improved.
Children in Gaelic-medium education are taught entirely in Gaelic for the first three years, to ensure that they develop a good grounding in Gaelic. From primary four onwards, English is also introduced, and by primary seven children are taught half-and-half in Gaelic and English. Although you may notice that you child's English reading does not come on particularly quickly before the end of primary three, (s)he will catch up easily in primary four; in fact, a study conducted at Stirling University in 1999* showed 'that P7 Gaelic-medium pupils performed better in English than English-medium pupils.'
You can also support your child's English reading and writing by reading together at home.
*Prof. Richard Johnstone
The Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic-medium Primary
Education in Scotland
Scottish CILT, Stirling University, 1999
There's no Gaelic-medium unit in my town/council area - how do I go about requesting Gaelic provision?
Gaelic-medium education must be provided by councils where 'reasonable demand' exists and so you have the best chance of succeeding with this request if you have the support of a group of parents.
Telephone your local council office and
ask to speak to the Gaelic officer (if the council has one),
or to the education department. Either of these should be
able to advise you to whom you should write. You should put
your request in a letter, and request a reply. You could also
write to your MSP.
If my child needs to travel to access the nearest Gaelic-medium facility, will his/her travel expenses be covered?
Some but not all Local Authorities will provide some assistance with travel costs to and from GM provisions within their boundaries.
Where some LAs currently make no GM provision, they may have reciprocal arrangements with a neighbouring Gaelic authority that can mean that a Gaelic placing request will be supported with the non Gaelic LA meeting travel costs to the nearest GM school. Contact your local education authority to seek more information on travel within and outwith your school catchment area.
Contact Comann na Gàidhlig
at www.cnag.org.uk should you require more advice.
The best answer to this question is to
be found in the figures. Gaelic-medium education is a relatively
new phenomenon in Scotland as a whole, and very new in many
authorities. Yet over 3,000 pupils are currently being educated
through the medium of Gaelic. Their parents want GME because
they see that it adds value to their children's educational
experience - in other words, it works.
Since my child doesn't speak Gaelic, will his/her learning of other subjects be affected?
Not at all. During P1 and P2 his/her language
skills will develop very quickly and (s)he will be fully able
to participate in class activities across the curriculum.
A report by Stirling University on the attainment of children
in Gaelic-medium education found that children educated through
Gaelic often performed better than their English-educated
contemporaries. Children educated through Gaelic also have
the added advantage of fluency in another language.
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 child will be immersed in English in many social situations,
including some within school, unless (s)he attends a dedicated
Gaelic school as opposed to a Gaelic unit. From primary three
onwards (s)he will be taught to apply the language skills
(s)he has 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.
I want my child to have as wide a range of friends as possible. Won't sending him/her to Gaelic-medium education affect his/her network of friends?
It may, but only by increasing it. Your child will also be able to use English to form friendships with children outwith the Gaelic-medium school or unit and can participate in out-of-school activities through the medium of English. (S)he will also, however, have access to another community through school and Gaelic-language activities like Fèisean and Sradagan.
The central location of GME and the distances
that pupils often have to travel to access GME can create
difficulties for parents transporting them to and from extra-curricular
activities. Your local branch of Comunn nam Pàrant
(Gaelic Parents' Association) will put you in touch with the
local Gaelic support network.
Since my child doesn't speak Gaelic, will his/her learning of other subjects be affected?
Not at all. During P1 and P2 his/her language
skills will develop very quickly and (s)he will be actively
able to participate in class activities across the curriculum.
A report by Stirling University on the attainment of children
in Gaelic-medium education found that children educated through
Gaelic often performed better than their English-educated
contemporaries. Children educated through Gaelic also have
the added advantage of fluency in another language.
Can children with additional support or special needs receive Gaelic-medium education?
They can and do; many Local Authorities have excellent inclusion policies that apply equally to GME as English provision. The selection of resources available is not wide as yet, but there is considerable work being undertaken at present to develop provision. Stòrlann has produced a reading scheme based on phonics which makes a wide variety of simple texts available for children who require additional support with reading. A Gaelic predictive text device has been developed for PCs and a range of resources are being simplified with the programme Textease.
You should be able to access advice from your local provider and local authority regarding the learning needs of your child and what Gaelic medium education can offer. There is currently a limited pool of fluent Gaelic-speaking Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Additional Support Needs auxiliaries and the need for recruitment will be addressed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig's National Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Strategy.
Parents who have concerns about their
child's learning needs should consult with their education
department to discuss their specific concerns.
Tha Gàidhlig agamsa ach chan eil aig mo bhean/an duine agam. Ciamar as urrainn dhomh Gàidhlig a chumail ris a' chloinn agam?
Le bhith ga bruidhinn riutha! Tha clann
air feadh an t-saoghail a bhruidhneas dà chànan
aig an taigh, agus tòrr a bharrachd a bhruidhneas na
dhà dhiubh sin agus cànan eile sa choimhearsnachd.
Tha e nas fhasa do chloinn dèiligeadh ri diofar chànanan,
ge-tà, ma tha iad a' tuigsinn cuine agus cò
leis a chleachdas iad gach cànan agus mar sin cho fada
agus a ghabhas cha bu chòir don phàrant le Gàidhlig
Beurla a chleachdadh nuair a tha e/i a' bruidhinn riutha.
Tuigidh iad gu math luath mar sin gur e, mar eisimpleir, Gàidhlig
a bhruidhneas iad ri Mam, Beurla a bhruidhneas iad ri Dad
agus Beurla a bhruidhneas Mam agus Dad ri chèile. Tha
e cudromach cuideachd gun toisich sibh air Gàidhlig
a bhruidhinn riutha anns a' bhad, bhon latha a thig iad don
t-saoghal - agus ron an sin! Tha an ceangal eadar pàrant
agus pàiste cho daingeann agus nach bi e furasta an
cànan anns a bheil thu a' bruidhinn riutha atharrachadh
as a dhèidh seo.
Ged a bhios mise a' bruidhinn Gàidhlig ri mo mhac/nighean, bi esan/ise daonann gam fhreagairt anns a' Bheurla. Dè nì mi?
Cùm ort a' bruidhinn ris/rithe ann
an Gàidhlig. Tha e a cheart cho coltach nach eil clann
ri mì-mhodh nuair a nì iad seo, ach gu bheil
iad a' dearbhadh dhaibh fhèin càite a bheil
na 'crìochan' nam beatha, dìreach mar a bhios
clann bheaga a dèanamh a thaobh giùlan. Tha
seo coltach ri 'droch ghiùlan' sam bith - cha ghabhadh
tu ris an sin nas motha! Dh'fhaodadh tu mìneachadh
dhaibh gu bheil e àraid dhut a bhith a' bruidhinn Beurla
riutha agus gu bheil thu a' faireachdainn nas cofhurtail a'
bruidhinn riutha ann an Gàidhlig.
Tha Gàidhlig aig a' chloinn agam ach tha sinn a' fuireach ann an àite far nach eil Gàidhlig aig na teaghlaichean eile a tha am beachd an cuid chloinne a chur don ionad Gàidhlig. Nach bi droch bhuaidh aig an seo air a' chloinn agam - an dà chuid a thaobh a bhith a' togail droch Ghàidhlig agus a thaobh an cuid ionnsachaidh, leis mar a bhios càch ag ionnsachadh cànan a th' acasan mar-thà?
'S e ceist gu math cumanta a tha seo, agus tha e a cheart cho coltach an-diugh gur ann air a' 'Ghàidhealtachd' a thachradh seo 's a tha e gun tachradh e an ceann a deas na dùthcha.
A thaobh milleadh a bhith ga dhèanamh air Gàidhlig na cloinne a tha fileanta, tha tòrr eisimpleirean ann de chloinn a th' air a dhol tro fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus a tha gu math fileanta agus a' bruidhinn an dualchainnt am pàrantan. 'S e an oidhirp a rinn am pàrantan Gàidhlig a chumail riutha aig an taigh a dh'fhàg cho fileanta iad. Tha cuid de phàrantan a' call misneachd air diofar aobharan agus a' sgur a bhruidhinn Gàidhlig ris a' chloinn aca aig an taigh, agus tha cuid eile ga fhàgail aig an sgoil Gàidhlig a 'theagasg' rin cuid chloinne. Chan fhaod thu seo a dhèanamh; feumaidh tu Gàidhlig a chumail riutha aig an taigh.
Tha e fìor gum bi a' chlann eile
ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig nuair a thig iad don sgoil
an toiseach agus tha e deatamach gum mìnich thu don
tidsear gu bheil a' chlann agad fileanta agus gum bi na feumalachdan
aca eadar-dhealaichte bho fheumalachdan chàich
Chan e an dualchainnt againn fhèin a th' aig an tidsear san sgoil as fhaisge - no anns na leabhraichean. Nach cuir seo a' chlann troimh-chèile?
Tha sin gu deagh ìre a-rèir
mar a làimhsichear an suidheachadh. Ma chumas tu Gàidhlig
riutha aig an taigh cho mòr agus a ghabhas, 's e leudachadh
air an cuid Gàidhlig a gheibh iad san sgoil. Aig deireadh
an latha, tha sinn uile cleachdte ri bhith ag èisteachd
ri diofar dhualchainntean air an reidio agus chan eil e a'
dèanamh milleadh oirnn. Faodaidh tu mìneachadh
dhaibh gu bheil faclan diofraichte agaibh far a bheil sibh
a' fuireach - làmhagh seach tuagh, gruag seach falt
etc.
Chan eil mi a' faireachdainn gu bheil a' Ghàidhlig agam math gu leòr airson a bhith ga bruidhinn ris a' chloinn agam. Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn cuid de na facail no den ghràmar a th' anns na leabhraichean a tha iad a' toirt dhachaigh às an sgoil.
Tha seo nadarra gu leòr, oir cha
d'fhuair thu oideachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig mar
a tha iadsan a' faotainn. Tha diofar shuidheachaidhean ann
anns a bheil daoine a' cleachdadh chànanan, agus tha
sinn ag ionnsachadh fhaclan agus structuran anns an sgoil
a tha diofraichte bho na faclan is structuran a tha sinn ag
ionnsachadh aig an taigh. Agus tha na diofar shuidheachaidhean
seo uile a cheart cho cudromach ri chèile. Tha an tidsear
anns an sgoil airson taic a thoirt don chloinn le Gàidhlig
na sgoile agus thusa aig an taigh airson taic a thoirt dhaibh
le Gàidhlig na dachaigh. Mur a h-eil thusa a' tuigsinn
a h-uile facal anns na leabhraichean aca, na gabh dragh -
cuimhnich gu bheil pàrantan ann nach tuig facal de
na th' anns na leabhraichean aca. Faodaidh iad faighneachd
don tidsear dè tha na faclan sin a' ciallachadh anns
an sgoil an ath latha. Ge b'rith cò ris a tha a' Ghàidhlig
agad coltach, bi e na bhuannachd don chloinn ma bhruidhneas
tu riutha i.