Embedded Files
Carson / Why SpeakGaelic?
There is only one pre-requisite for our classes and that is we ask you to please come along, enjoy yourself and have fun.
We have elected to base our classroom teaching programme on BBC Alba's SpeakGaelic. As well as learning in a classroom environment with Gaelic speakers of all different levels, you are able to complement your learning through TV programmes, podcasts and online material. The material is open, inclusive, easily accessible at any time of the day that works for you and, its free!
It has also been developed by the best Scottish Gaelic institution in the world, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, our national centre for Gaelic language and culture.
There are no exams but, if anyone is seeking a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) certificate, please discuss this with the tutor who should be able to advise. You can engage with the teaching material or simply engage in classroom conversations. There is no pressure. We have elected to use the SpeakGaelic material so you can do more outside the classroom if you wish to. The tutor may adapt the class material to suit their individual teaching style and work with topics of interest that might arise from the group.
Ionnsachaidh / Learning
The course is structured. Each module A1, A2, B1, etc. is broken down into subjects or topics, (cuspairean) and each of these come with a Tutor Guide, Lesson Sheet, Explanation Sheet, Topic Worksheet, and a Game Sheet.
Each module also has a vocabulary sheet, pronunciation sheet, and grammar cheat sheet. These are all available online together with the course syllabus. Please see the links below.
All information, content and website materials illustrated here and provided through the links are subject to copyright, trade mark rights and/or other intellectual property rights. We acknowledge www.speakgaelic.scot as the source of these materials. We will not alter the material in any way and use it solely for the purpose it is intended, i.e. to complement our Gaelic language teaching class.
The course material offers us a structure. Each module A1, A2, B1, etc. is broken down into subjects or topics, (cuspairean).
The TV series that supports the course is available on BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer. You can watch these on a TV, laptop, tablet or phone.
The course Podcasts are available through various online channels including Spotify. You can listen to these on a laptop, tablet or phone.
Do log-in and set yourself up with a free online account and try the dashboard. This takes you through the teaching material and lets you hear and practise the language.
Links / Air loidhne
The BBC TV series that supports the course is available on BBC iPlayer and here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09xwbsz
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakGaelic
The Podcasts that accompanies the course are available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09xzjpm/episodes/downloads
The teaching material is free and is available here: https://speakgaelic.scot/classroom-materials
Register for a FREE account and try the dashboard to monitor how you are progressing: https://speakgaelic.scot/register
About SpeakGaelic: https://mgalba.com/about-us/speakgaelic/
LearnGaelic Dictionary: https://learngaelic.scot/dictionary/
While the material is all free online as separate PDFs, you can also purchase each module as a standalone text book which you might prefer if you are not comfortable using a laptop or tablet in the classroom or, if you find it a challenge to print the material.
These publications are available from the Gaelic Book Council online or at their store in Glasgow:
https://www.gaelicbooks.org/explore-the-shop/non-fiction/gaelic-learning/speak-gaelic-a1?lang=en
Builean Ionnsachaidh / Learning Outcomes
Like any life ambition, it is a good discipline to set yourself some goals or outcomes and a route map to achieving them. For example, you might decide, in order to get started, that your initial learning outcomes are:
Practice Pronunciation, i.e. the sounds together with the shape of the mouth when speaking Gaelic.
Master your first 1000 words based on common phrases / words including question words and linking words. These can be drawn from the above teaching material.
You could structure those first 1000 words around talking about:
Who you are
Where you live
What you like
What you have
Where you go every day
What you eat
What you want.
You may also want to consider the "STIC" approach to learning (there is plenty information about this online). This entails:
Spacing out your learning and revision sessions on particular topics or categories.
Testing yourself before, during and after studying your topics e.g. how do I say that object?, how did I ask that in Gaelic?
Interleaving different learning and revision routines e.g. practice words and phrases in a random manner, not same patterns.
Categorising helps break down the learning experience into manageable chunks e.g. "Gaelic Word Sounds", "Greetings", etc.
The Gaelic language sounds and how we shape our mouth is available here: https://learngaelic.scot/sounds/
Anki is a powerful flashcard system that incorporates the STIC learning approach. It allows you to practice and revise words and phrases. The cards can incorporate multimedia material. You can create your own decks or use shared decks. The app allows you to work on your phone, laptop, tablet and, it is free!
The app is located here: https://apps.ankiweb.net/
There are four shared decks available on Anki today that you can download (import). These incorporate audio by native speakers. You can playback the sound or phrase as many times as you need to. And, when you reveal the answer, you can decide when the word of phrase appears again. The app will automatically space and interleave the word or phrase at random intervals with new material to aid faster learning.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse