Council uses Welsh and Hebrew Language techniques to teach Gaelic.
A new method of learning languages that calls on techniques used to teach Welsh and Hebrew is being put into practise in the Highlands of Scotland to teach Gaelic.
Organised by The Highland Council’s Community Learning and Leisure Service, three new Gaelic courses using the Ùlpan method are now under way at Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis with 40 adults attending.
Course co-ordinator Margaret Mulholland who is Highland Council’s Gaelic Community Learning & Development Officer said: “I am impressed by what I have seen of Ùlpan and feel that at last we have a course which will allow learners to become fluent in Gaelic. The emphasis is on listening and speaking - reading and writing come later. Clearly the development of Ùlpan will give a fresh impetus to the learning of Gaelic.”
The Ùlpan method of learning is being supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and although it has been piloted in various parts of Scotland the Gaelic classes in Inverness are believed to be the first to run in Scotland with tutors who have been specifically trained in the method.
Rosemary Ward, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Education Manager said: "The Bòrd is pleased to be supporting Ùlpan which has proved to be a successful way of teaching and learning Gaelic. The unique structure of Ùlpan provides the necessary support that learners require to progress towards fluency.
"It's important that we nurture and support learners and give them every opportunity to practice their skills. I'd like to wish everyone taking part in this course the very best in this new adventure."
The Inverness classes follow on from a pilot tutor-training week which ran earlier in July this year. This course run by Cli enabled local tutors to be trained in the Ùlpan method. Three of the new Ùlpan trained tutors are running the classes at Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis.
Director of Cli, DJ MacIntyre said: “This innovative course has been successful in Wales and many other countries. I have no doubt that it will work in that due to the structured way of learning Gàidhlig and this should increase the number of fluent speakers in the years ahead. It will also assist Gàidhlig Tutors in that the Ùlpan method provides them with materials to work with in the form of a training pack.”
A beginners day-time class is being run with Brian o’hEadhra as tutor and Nina Macleod and Della Mackay are running a beginners evening class. Brian and Eilidh Shaw are running a class for intermediate students.
Councillor Hamish Fraser Chairman of Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee said: “The introduction of these new Gaelic courses using the Ùlpan method are a clear demonstration of the Council’s commitment in its programme for administration where we have pledged to work with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other partners to support the development of the Gaelic Language and culture. These courses will ensure that everybody in the Highlands, who have a wish to learn the language, will have many varied opportunities and choices available to them and will compliment the many other programmes already in place.”
For further information please contact: Margaret Mulholland, Highland Council’s Gaelic Community Learning & Development Officer tel: (01463) 238685.
For further information on Cli please see their website at: http://www.cli.org.uk/