New phonics scheme for Gaelic

The new scheme, Facal agus Fuaim, has been written by Gena MacLean and Donald John MacLeod of Highland Council and published by Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, the National Gaelic Resource Centre.

The importance of phonics in the teaching of reading in all languages is now widely recognised and teachers have warmly welcomed the publication of Facal agus Fuaim, the first time such a scheme has been available to Gaelic education. "Gaelic has a more complex sound system than English, with many more sounds", explains Dr MacLeod, "so it was important to produce original materials centred on an understanding of Gaelic phonetics. We feel it will very much assist in the teaching of Gaelic reading."

The new scheme, which uses the principle of synthetic phonics, was based on original research undertaken by Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle, the Gaelic centre on Islay, and was published as part of the inter-authority funded publications programme produced by Stòrlann each year. It includes teachers’ notes, an extensive folder of classroom materials, colour workbooks for pupils and a book of rhymes. These items are complemented by a CD, funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which gives pupils the opportunity to listen to key Gaelic sounds as well as to have some fun trying out various activities and games. "We have had very good feedback already on the scheme", says Mairead MacDonald, Director of Stòrlann. "Teachers have been very enthusiastic and I’m sure the pupils will enjoy using the new materials."

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has now provided further funding to allow more CDs to be produced, covering more sounds.

Tha goireas Gàidhlig gu tur ùr aig clann a tha a’ tòiseachadh san sgoil am-bliadhna - sgeama fuaimneachaidh a thathar an dùil a chuidicheas gu mòr le teagasg leughaidh. Chaidh an sgeama ùr, Facal agus Fuaim, a sgrìobhadh le Gena NicIlleathain agus Dòmhnall Iain MacLeòid bho Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus chaidh fhoillseachadh le Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.

Tha nise tuigse ann cho cudromach ’s a tha fuaimneachadh ann an teagasg leughaidh agus tha tidsearan a’ cur fàilte air foillseachadh Facal agus Fuaim, a’ chiad uair a tha sgeama den t-seòrsa seo air a bhith ann am foghlam Gàidhlig. "Tha siostam fuaime na Gàidhlig nas ioma-fhillte na Beurla, le mòran a bharrachd fhuaimean", mhìnich an t-Ollamh Dòmhnall Iain MacLeòid, co-ùghdar nan stuthan, "agus mar sin bha e cudromach gum biodh stuthan ùra air an ullachadh stèidhichte air bunait na Gàidhlig. Tha sinn a’ smaoineachadh gum bi e na chuideachadh mòr do theagasg leughaidh."

Tha an sgeama ùr stèidhichte air rannsachadh a chaidh a dhèanamh le Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle agus chaidh fhoillseachadh mar phàirt den phrògram foillseachaidh a tha Stòrlann a’ deasachadh às leth nan ùghdarrasan ionadail gach bliadhna. Tha e a’ gabhail a-steach nòtaichean tidsear, pasgan mòr de stuthan clas, leabhraichean-obrach do sgoilearan agus leabhar rannan. An cois nan stuthan sin tha CD, a mhaoinich Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a tha a’ toirt cothrom do sgoilearan èisteachd ri na fuaimean Gàidhlig agus air beagan fealla-dhà fhaighinn a’ feuchainn a-mach diofar ghnìomhan is gheamannan. "Tha tidsearan air deagh mholadh a dhèanamh air an sgeama mar-thà," thuirt Mairead Dhòmhnallach, Stiùiriche Stòrlann, "agus tha sinn cinnteach gun còrd e ris a’ chloinn cuideachd."

Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig a-nis air tuilleadh maoineachaidh a thoirt seachad gus am faighear air CDs eile a dhèanamh, a’ còmhdachadh tuilleadh fhuaimean.